Cat peeing in the wrong place
Is your cat peeing outside the litter box? This could be due to illness or stress. If your cat is otherwise healthy, this behaviour might be their way of protesting or showing displeasure. Luckily, there are things you can do as a cat owner to help change this behaviour. Read on for everything you need to know!
Why is my cat peeing in the wrong place?
When a cat urinates outside its litter box, it's often a sign of displeasure or a protest – especially if your cat is healthy. If it’s not illness or stress, it could be a sign they’re unhappy about something.
Whatever you suspect is causing this behaviour, it’s important to address it, find the cause, and then work on a solution. If you suspect illness or a physical issue, please contact your vet as soon as possible.
If it’s likely due to dissatisfaction or protest, there are other things to consider. Since it’s unpleasant for both you and your cat when this happens, it’s important to resolve it. It shows your cat is unhappy with something.
Possible causes for peeing outside the litter box
If your cat is perfectly healthy and not experiencing physical illness, the cause is likely dissatisfaction. It’s important to get to the root of the problem – what’s causing the behaviour? This is key to encouraging your cat to use their litter box again. As many different things can trigger this, it can be tricky to pinpoint the exact situation. Here are some common reasons why cats become unhappy:
A new addition to the household, such as another cat, pet, or baby.
Does your cat dislike a particular family member or feel they take up too much space? They might show this by urinating around that person’s belongings.
Your cat may have felt left out if you were away, or if they’ve been bored or ignored.
Cats are incredibly particular about their litter box environment. If something isn’t right, they can show significant displeasure. Factors include the type of litter, cleanliness, number of boxes, their location, and the type of box itself.
Does your cat feel they have enough private space and areas to roam and relax?
A negative incident or memory associated with the litter box location or the home environment.
Solutions to the problem
Understanding why your cat is behaving this way is a huge step towards finding a solution. Knowing the cause gives you the best chance to fix it.
Even so, it can be tough to know how to encourage your cat to return to their usual habits, especially if a new family member is involved. However, here are some things you can try, which may help depending on what’s bothering your cat:
Show some extra affection to a cat who might often be alone, feel crowded, or be bored.
Try Feliway, a range of synthetic feline facial pheromones that can help calm cats.
Take time to understand your cat's specific needs and what makes them feel happier and more secure!
