If your cat urinates outside the litter box, it can be due to different reasons: because of a stressful situation, because of a health problem or because he is marking the territory. In the first case, you should seek solutions to avoid this anxiety and take him to the vet to determine what condition he is in and what the solution is. The same is true in the second case if your cat is sick, the first thing you should do is go to the veterinarian’s office to find out what he has and give him the necessary treatment.
Cats are territorial animals and their urine releases olfactory signals to others of their species, making it clear who owns that territory. So, if your cat urinates outside the litter box, it may be because he is feeling the presence of other cats (even if they are outside the house) and wants to mark his territory and feel safe. If there is a change in the home that can cause anxiety, such as the arrival of a baby, the visit of strangers, renovations in the home, change … It is possible that this will cause this change in behavior and the cat will urinate on different furniture, on the sofa, in carpet, in the comforter, or in the bathroom, the most usual places.
It is also common for male cats without spaying to urinate around the house. In this case, when the cat urinates outside the litter box, it may be attracting the attention of the females. To avoid this territory marking, the solution is to perform sterilization. Consult your veterinarian and follow his recommendations.
If your cat urinates outside its litter box, it may also be because it is very dirty; it is very important that you clean it frequently so that your pet feels clean. Cats are very clean animals, so they will not want to do their thing in a place that is dirty and will look for a corner of the house that is cleaner. Another reason a cat urinates out of the box and refuses to use it is that he doesn’t like the sand, so if you’ve recently changed the brand and match your urination around the house, use the sand he likes again. Also, make sure that the litter box is in a comfortable place for your cat, with good temperature, without unpleasant noises and away from your food and drink.
Cats have greater confidence and are more relaxed when they smell their own, so they need to mark the house in which they live. It depends on how your pet, shy, safer, will mark the territory in different circumstances. Given this situation, you will be able to follow a series of guidelines to ensure that they do not mark the house.
Advice to follow if your cat urinates outside the litter box
- Sterilization in the case of male cats. Consult your veterinarian, he will inform you about the advantages and disadvantages of sterilization and care.
- The box is always clean and in excellent condition, away from noise and high temperatures.
- It positively reinforces your pet’s good behavior when making its needs in the litter box. And never punish him when you urinate around the house, because, as we saw earlier, he has his reasons, something that worries you and communicates you that way.
- Use a spray for cats created specifically to avoid stress. A product with pheromones that will help your pet not to urinate at home. In the myfriendlypets catalog you can find several types, you will see how it works and your cat will be more peaceful and safe.
If your cat urinates outside the litter box, be patient and help him modify this behavior taking into account why he does it.