It can be a bit distressing and frustrating if your cat starts peeing outside the litter box - and there may be many reasons for it!
While urine spraying is one of the ways that cats mark their territory, accidents can be a reaction to a stressful situation or a change around the home. Try to uncover the reason for your kitty’s behaviour and help them to stop spraying and use their litter box instead.
5 Tips To Stop Cats Peeing Around The Home
1. Rule Out Any Medical Issues
Consult the vet to ensure that there are no underlying health issues causing this change in behaviour. For example, a urinary tract infection could be causing your cat discomfort, so it’s best to take them to the vet for a health check. That way, you can get your kitty any help they need!
2. Consider Changes Around The Home
If your kitty is in full health, you should consider how changes around your home might be causing your cat stress; in particular, be mindful of their litter box location as moving this could confuse them and they might not like the new location. They might be upset by recent additions to the household, like a loud appliance, new pet or a baby. Even some new furniture could unsettle your pawsome pal - cats are creatures of habit and don’t always like change!
3. What’s New To Your Cat’s Routine?
Even small changes to your cat’s routine - such as the time they are fed - could be something that they pick up on and don’t like. If you need to make changes to their routine then try and introduce these slowly. Even a small variation to your kitty’s daily life could cause worry and anxiety, and lead to urine spraying. It’s also important that your cat has enough time with you; make sure you have a regular play time to have fun and bond with your kitty.
4. Check You Have Enough Resources
Do you have enough resources for your cat(s)? Competition can be a reason for spraying! Have one more litter box than the number of cats you have; so if you have one cat then you should have two litter boxes. Place these in different areas of the home, choosing quiet, safe locations where your kitty won’t be disturbed.
Make sure that you don’t place food and water bowls near the litter box; you wouldn’t like to eat in your bathroom either! Keep litter boxes clean by scooping them every day and change the litter in the box weekly to keep their bathroom fresh and clean.
5. Use FELIWAY CLASSIC To Stop Peeing Outside The Litter Box
You can also use FELIWAY CLASSIC to help stop your cat peeing outside the litter box. The comforting pheromone can help reduce stress and so prevent unwanted spraying. It’s clinically proven to reduce urine marking in 9 out of 10 cats and kittens (results can be seen within the first 7 days). Follow these simple steps to reduce kitty spray:
● First, clean all the urine spray markings and the areas where your cat has peed.
● Remember to avoid using bleach as this can cause your cat to revisit the same spot! Instead, use warm soapy water or a recommended urine stain and odor remover.
● Once the area is fully clean and dry, spray 8 pumps of FELIWAY CLASSIC Spray twice daily on the area until your cat stops marking the spot.
● Remember never to spray FELIWAY on your cat!
● Wait approximately 15 minutes before allowing your furry friend to come into contact with the FELIWAY CLASSIC Spray.
If your cat is spraying in several different areas around your home, consider using a FELIWAY CLASSIC Diffuser instead. Plug in the Diffuser in the room where your cat spends most of its time so that they can feel the happy messages, which will provide them with support and reassurance.
Stay Pawsitive!
Peeing around the home can be frustrating but always remember to treat your kitty with kindness. You should never punish them for spraying behaviour as this will only cause more stress and worsen the habit - as well as damaging your friendship. Being supportive to your kitty and helping them to feel more comfortable around their home and with their routine, will reduce their spraying behaviour.