How to stop a cat from peeing in the house?

Answer 1

Hi Amanda...if this is something that recently developed, first consider all the possibilities such as:
- changes with litter brands
- location of the litter box isn't private enough
- some cats like to have one box to defecate and another to urinate
- cleanliness (some cats are very finicky and prefer a super clean box)
- as a general rule there should be one litter box for each cat plus one extra as a back up
- kittens who are over 5-7 months can become sexually mature and urine spray as well as defecate inappropriately to mark territory.
- senior cats develop age-related disorders such as chronic renal failure (CRF), hyperthyroidism, diabetes, etc.

If all these have been ruled out, there's a chance that your cat may have developed another underlying medical problem such as something as simple as a lower urinary tract disorder: http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_feline_lower_urinary_tract_dis.html which can contribute to accidents outside of the box. Cats will associate pain while using box and change their habits as a result.

Here's an article about why cats inappropriately soil outside their litter box by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/Housesoiling.html

House soiling is the most common behavior problem reported by cat owners. It includes urination and/or defecation outside the litter box, as well as urine spraying.

Why do cats eliminate outside of the litter box?
One common misconception is that cats soil in inappropriate places for revenge. It is tempting to conclude, "He defecated on the living room carpet to punish me for leaving him for the weekend." But this kind of calculation requires sophisticated cognitive abilities that cats aren't nbelieved to possess. Furthermore, this conclusion assumes that cats view their urine and feces as distasteful, when in fact they do not. It is only we humans who view it that way.

Medical Problems
So why do cats urinate or defecate on your bed or carpet? Medical problems are one possibility. Inflammation of the urinary tract may cause painful or frequent urination, inability to urinate, bloody urine, and crying during urination. An affected cat is likely to eliminate outside the litter box if he comes to associate the box with painful urination, or if he has an increased urgency to urinate. In addition, kidney, liver, and thyroid diseases often lead to increased drinking and urination. Inflammation of the colon or rectum, intestinal tract tumors, intestinal parasites, and other gastrointestinal conditions may cause painful defecation, increased frequency or urgency to defecate, and decreased control of defecation. Age-related diseases that interfere with a cat's mobility (for example, arthritis, nervous system disorders, or muscular diseases), or with his cognitive functions can also influence his ability to get to the litter box in time. In short, any medical condition that interferes with a cat's normal elimination behavior can lead to house soiling.

Litter Box Aversions
Behavioral problems, such as litter box aversions, inappropriate site preferences, or urine spraying can also lead to house soiling. An aversion implies that there is something about the litter box that your cat finds unsavory. It could be the box, the litter, the location of the box, or all three.

...please consider visiting the website for further details

Answer 2

We had this problem with my kitten when we moved into a new house. The vet told me and my father that a cat is one of the most picky animals you can have and that the liter must always be clean and that it may have to be moved to new places until you find one that the cat feels comfortable going in. Each day we placed the liter box in a different area and when we put it in the bathroom, the cat used it regularly and not the floor! Also you need to use vinegar water where the cat has piddled on the floor already to get the scent out so the cat doesn't keep re-using the carpet.

Answer 3

First make sure it dont have a uriniary tract infection. I know when mine did it would pee all over the house and very frustrating.

If that isnt the problem, if your cat is a male and not fixed it will mark its terriority and spray that will not stop till its fixed and then it might be to late if the cat is a older cat now. That is why the recommend getting them fixed before they learn that habit.

Second-- If you have had other cats in the house or you bought a house with previous cats in there they can smell it and mark their also.

And always keep the litter box clean. I have one very picky cat that if it gets to dirty she will not use it all some of them are just very picky about that .

Where your cat is goign to the bathroom just water and soap dont get that smell out especially if went down underneath the carpet that smell is still there. Try this to get the smell out as long as she can smell or he they will keep goign there

Get Rid of Cat urine odors
Ingredients
Baking Soda
White Vinegar
Dishwashing Detergent
3 % Hydrogen Peroxide
Next, wet the area with a solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water. Make sure you use enough of the solution to penetrate the fibres deep down. Allow it to dry. You can assist drying by blotting with paper towels as described above. A fan can also be used to assist drying. The acidity of the vinegar will neutralize the ammonia in the cat urine.

3. When it's dry, apply a liberal amount of baking soda over the affected area and drizzle it with a quarter of a cup of hydrogen peroxide mixed with a teaspoon of dishwashing detergent. Work it in with a scrubbing brush or your fingers (be sure to wear rubber gloves) to dissolve the baking soda and work it down into the carpet. Allow it to dry. Then vacuum. Please Read the caution below regarding hydrogen peroxide

The vinegar will neutralize the ammonia and the baking powder will remove the odor of the cat urine.

Important. Never use ammonia or ammonia-based products on the carpet. The smell may attract the cat to that area and will encourage cats to urinate there.

You may have to repeat the above process a few times for heavily soiled areas.

Answer 4

Cats like cleanliness so keep litter tray clean. If it's still a kitten isolate to a room without carpet till it gets the hang of it (saves hours of carpet scrubbing too).
Keep the patches as clean as possible to remove the smell.
Try using eucalyptus oil or ground pepper or anything that makes a nasty smell on the area they pee on.
Only shout at it if she does it infront of you, otherwise she doesn't understand why you're yelling!
One of ours used to do it all the time when it was raining outside! Talk about a lazy cat!!

hope it helps!!

Answer 5

Thank you SO much for asking this...I was just about to ask the same one when I saw your question. AND I WISH THERE WERENT SO MANY OBNOXIOUS PEOPLE ON Y!A!! Grrrr. Anyway....I keep my litter box clean every day, changed out and cleaned every week but my cat still keeps peeing on the carpet. She hasnt been fixed so not sure if that is the problem. But let me know if you find the right answer.

Answer 6

Cats are naturally clean so has the cat got somewhere to go. They would prefer outside. As you've not mentioned No.2s I'm guessing its male, then he's marking his territory, so can he get outside, I'm saying that twice now, he'll mark his territory outside then. Have you any other pets in the house also. He's saying this is my home, so wont run off.

Answer 7

My mom gave a lesson to kitten when it pees in the house. We would wait that kitten till it pees then my mom grabs it to the neck locates the cat's face near her urine which it gives her a lesson by frigthing the kitten.

Answer 8

1: Open door.
2: Pick up cat.
3: Propell cat (by any appropriate means) through the open door.
4: Shut door.
5: Do not allow cat back in.

This may sound flippant, but cats are firmly of the opinion that they are the dominant party in any relationship, and will not learn unless there is something in it for them. (As opposed to a dog, which if treated correctly - without being spoiled - will learn in order to make you happy.)

Answer 9

If he hasn't been neutered then he is marking his territory, get him fixed and it will stop. If not then you need to train him, try putting his bed where he pees. believe it or not, cats are very clean animals.

Answer 10

1.Check if he has a urinary tract infection or bladder crystals.
2. Keep the litterbox clean
3. When he is about to pee, outside, say NO and put him in the litterbox, help him dig a little, and when he pees in there encourage him and say well done, good kitty etc.

Answer 11

Make sure the litter box is always clean and if there is one spot he always visits, try putting tin foil over it for a while. He won't tread on it and therefor not pee on it.