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Cats are many people’s favorite domestic pets because of their fascinating and varied personalities. They tend to look after themselves quite well, including not requiring trips outside to relieve themselves; that’s what a litter box inside the home is for.
Therefore, it can be confusing and concerning when your once litter box-trained cat is suddenly peeing on the floor instead of in the box. There’s always a reason for this, whether it’s a problem with the litter box itself or something else is going on in your cat’s life.
In this article, we explore the potential reasons that your cat is peeing on the floor. We also explain what to do about it by giving you different things to try and detailing when you should be truly concerned.
Important information: If your cat is urinating abnormally, it’s crucial not to ignore, delay, or assume the issue is harmless, as it may be due to behavioral or medical problems that require timely diagnosis. Some urinary problems can be life-threatening. If you notice your cat struggling to urinate, vocalizing while urinating, straining unsuccessfully, producing urine of an unusual color, or urinating more frequently than usual, contact your veterinarian immediately to help prevent the issue from escalating into a more serious condition.
Effectively Cleaning Pet Messes
The first part of cat mess prevention is ensuring you are taking the time to properly clean any accidents so they don’t return to the same spot – and that starts with investing in the right products! Of course, you’ll want to opt for something safe first and foremost, to protect your feline’s health, but secondly, you’ll need a solution powerful enough to lift the toughest, stinkiest, most set-in stains. An enzyme cleaner is a great go-to option to do just that.
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The 5 Reasons Why Your Cat Pees on the Floor
1. Litter Box Problems
Before you start worrying about whether something is seriously wrong with your cat’s health, the problem may be something as simple as your pet not being pleased with the state of their litter box. One of the most common reasons that cats pee on the floor is that the litter box is too dirty.
Think about it: You wouldn’t want to use a dirty toilet. Your cat feels the same way, so they’re peeing on the floor because they can’t just hold it in, and they feel that they have nowhere else to go. Dirty litter can also be a health hazard, so your cat may be trying to tell you that it’s time to clean the box out.
If you regularly clean your litter box and don’t think that’s the problem, consider whether you’ve recently switched litter or gotten a completely new litter box. Your cat may not like the new litter, especially if it has a different scent or texture than what they’re used to. They may also feel uncomfortable if the litter box is too small.
Your cat may not like the location of the litter box. It may not be private enough, or it could be too close to their food or water. We humans don’t cook in the bathroom or vice versa, and your cat may not like it either.
So, making adjustments to the litter box based on your cat’s preferences, whether you’re cleaning it more often, changing the litter again, adding more boxes, or moving its location, is the first thing you should try if your cat is peeing on the floor. If none of those things help, it could be a sign of a more serious problem.
- Related Read: Best Litter Boxes for Picky Cats
2. Spraying
It could be possible that your cat isn’t actually peeing on the floor but is spraying instead. Spraying usually occurs on vertical surfaces, but your cat may also spray on horizontal surfaces, or the urine may run down a vertical surface and form a puddle on the floor. This problem doesn’t tend to occur all of a sudden, there’s always a reason that you want to put a stop to it so you don’t have to continue to clean up messes.
Cats use urination as a means of communication with other cats. One of the most common reasons that felines spray is to display instinctual territory-marking behavior. These feelings may occur if you’ve recently gotten another cat or there’s a cat that’s been hanging around outside. It’s more common in male cats than females, but both sexes are likely to spray if they aren’t spayed or neutered. If this applies to your cat, spaying or neutering your pet might solve the problem.
If your cat is spayed or neutered and is still spraying, they could be feeling territorial or threatened. Your cat could also be feeling threatened or scared if there’s been a change in their normal routine, such as you’ve recently had a baby or moved houses, for example. Consider if any changes have happened in your or your cat’s life recently that could be causing the spraying behavior.
3. Stress/Emotional Behaviors
Although stress is one of the causes of spraying, your cat may also urinate instead of spraying if they’re feeling stressed. Common stressors for cats include a change in routine, a house move, a new pet or baby, or even a visitor. Stress can also be caused by other felines in the neighborhood that seem threatening, especially if your cat is allowed outside.
In addition to stress, fear, and anxiety can cause your cat to pee on the floor. Maybe you’ve been away on vacation, or you travel a lot and leave your cat alone or in the company of others. Depending on your pet’s individual temperament, things like storms or loud noises in the neighborhood (i.e., construction) can cause your cat to feel anxious and urinate.
Perhaps your cat is allowed outside and does their business out there a lot. Suddenly, your cat doesn’t want to go outside due to one of the aforementioned reasons (other cats, dogs, construction, etc.), so they’re peeing on the floor instead. Whatever the case, once the stressor is pinpointed and removed, the problem should be solved.
Anxiety in cats is a complicated issue, we suggest speaking to a vet for advice how how to help your cat.
4. Old Age
Your cat starting to pee on the floor could be a sign that they’re getting older. As cats age, their brain function starts to decline, and as a result, they can suffer from cognitive dysfunction syndrome, also called feline dementia. One of the signs is inappropriate toileting, both urination and defecation.
It’s possible that your cat could be experiencing mobility issues as other parts of their body start to slow down. Maybe it’s becoming harder for your cat to get into and use the litter box, or they’re having problems controlling their bladder. There are also numerous medical issues that can start to affect older cats and cause urinary problems.
- See Also: Best Senior Cat Foods
5. Urinary Problems
If you’ve ruled out all of these causes, your cat could be suffering from a medical condition even if they aren’t old. Numerous medical conditions can cause urinary problems in felines that may cause them to pee on the floor. If your cat has a health issue, there will usually be other signs in addition to not using the litter box.
The most common diseases and conditions that can cause urinary problems in cats include urinary tract diseases such as urinary tract infections, feline idiopathic cystitis, urinary crystals or stones, or the first signs of a blocked bladder. Kidney disease and feline diabetes cause increased urination (and thirst), which can also result in your cat peeing on the floor. The exact signs of each disease vary, and these aren’t the only ones that can cause urination problems.
Still, if you notice blood or discoloration in the urine or funky or particularly strong smells, your cat is urinating more or less, or there are any other changes to their normal behavior, you should take your pet to the vet for diagnosis and treatment. Any of these signs, accompanied by your cat peeing on the floor, is a sure sign that something is going on that is more serious.
How Can You Prevent Your Cat From Peeing on the Floor?
The first step in preventing your cat from peeing on the floor is to determine the specific cause. If you suspect that your cat has a medical condition or you can’t figure out what the cause is, see a veterinarian to diagnose or rule out anything. Once you and your vet have determined a cause, here are a few things you can try.
Adjust the Litter Box/Clean It Regularly
Although problems with the litter box are one of the most common causes of cats peeing on the floor, figuring out what the exact problem is can be time-consuming and frustrating. For starters, make sure you clean the litter box out regularly so it stays appealing to your pet. If you have multiple cats, you may need multiple litter boxes. The recommendation is to have one litter box for the number of cats you have, plus one extra, in order to prevent any problems.
If the litter box is cleaned regularly, you may have to do some trial-and-error as you figure out whether your cat doesn’t like the litter, the location of the box, or the type of box. If you suspect that it’s the litter, try sticking with an unscented litter in case it’s the fragrance that your cat doesn’t care for. However, you may have to try out different litter textures and different styles of boxes, along with several different locations, until you find something that your cat is happy with.
Set Routines
Establishing good routines can prevent your cat from becoming stressed. There’s not a lot you can do when you go on vacation to help your cat stick to a routine other than having a house sitter. But as long as you’re at home, try feeding your cat at the same time every day and setting aside time to play with your cat and let them go outside, if applicable. Routines will help your cat become more comfortable and reduce stress caused by frequent changes.
Help Your Cat Feel Safe
There are going to be things that you just can’t prevent. But there are a few things that you can do to help your cat feel safe. For example, make sure your cat has their own private place to go when they feel scared. Try to ward off any cats or dogs that may make your pet feel threatened, such as by using motion-detector sprinklers, repellents, or even just your general presence.
If you have multiple cats, make sure they are properly introduced to prevent one cat from bullying and attacking the others. Make sure your cats don’t have to compete for resources by providing plenty of food, water, toys, beds, and litter boxes so they don’t have to share.
- See Also: Do Cats Pee When Scared?
Clean Up Messes
Finally, make sure you clean any areas on the floor or around the house where your cat has urinated thoroughly. Otherwise, they’ll continue to pee in those areas since they now have their smell on them. Clean any areas that you don’t want your cat to return to with an enzyme-based cleaner designed for cleaning pet stains, as this will help remove the smell and discourage your cat from returning to that spot to pee.
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Conclusion
If your cat is peeing on the floor, it can be messy and frustrating, especially if they’ve always used the litter box with no problems. Fortunately, there is always a root cause, though it may not always be easy to pinpoint. When in doubt, take your cat to the vet if you can’t figure out a cause or suspect that your cat may have a medical condition. They can come up with treatments or solutions that fit your situation.
Featured Image Credit: nanniezwawa, Shutterstock
