Although litterboxes function as restrooms for cats, in some situations, it might be challenging to prevent them from urinating on your furniture. Moreover, cat urine is one of the strongest and toughest odors to remove, and it is a frustrating job. Today, we are going to answer the question – how to stop a cat from peeing on furniture?
There are several reasons why a cat might be urinating on your sofas, couches, etc., and it is of utmost importance to figure out why it is happening. It could be a medical problem, or your cat might be stressed. Regardless of the reason, it is essential to figure out what is happening and act accordingly. In this article, we will list these reasons and explain how to prevent a cat from peeing on your furniture, so let us get into it.
Why Is My Cat Urinating on My Furniture?
There is a place, function, and time for everything, and when your cat avoids using the litterbox, there might be a problem with your cat that is solvable. So let us see what the reasons for cat peeing on your sofas are.
1. Your Cat Might Have Some Medical Issues
In case your cat was using the litterbox without any problems and had suddenly started urinating on your furniture (or anywhere else outside the litterbox), you should take her to the veterinarian and check if there are any medical issues.
Some of the medical problems that might cause your cat to urinate outside the litterbox are bladder stones, urinary tract infections, or in some rare situations, even arthritis. These conditions can be very painful for your cat, and she might start to associate this pain with the litterbox, which directly affects her peeing outside of it.
There are also other medical conditions that can lead to increased urination, including diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disease. This is something that you should definitely pay attention to if your pet is eleven years old or even older. If you notice some sort of difficulties that your cat shows while urinating, consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.
2. Your Cat Might Be Stressed
Cats can be psychologically vulnerable to changes just as much as humans can. They are creatures of habit, and they love their routines, so if you recently had some big change inside your household, like introducing a new pet, or baby, changing something with your furniture, or even moving, your cat might be feeling stressed and anxious which can lead to improper urinating.
There are solutions for this, and it is important to consult your vet since there are numerous options of anti-anxiety remedies that will help your cat push through the rough patch. Sometimes it is even wiser to take your cat to the vet before you make a big change inside your household.
3. There Might Be Some Issues With Litterbox
Litterboxes can often be the primary reason for your cat’s inappropriate urinating. Cats generally do not like litterboxes with covers or liners, or the box simply is not large enough (it is recommended to purchase a litterbox that is at least 1.5 times larger than a cat).
In some situations, litter might be the issue since cats generally prefer medium clumping litter as it is much easier on their paws. If you recently changed the litter, your cat can also dislike the scent of it, which will make her urinate elsewhere.
Make sure to clean the litterbox at least once a day and to deep clean it at least once a week. Cats are very sensitive to different types of smells, so unscented litter might be the best solution.
4. Position of the Litterbox Matters
Your cat might decide to urinate on your furniture if the litterbox is stored in a place where it causes her stress or if it is inaccessible. The litterbox can also be nearby loud and busy areas which can also be quite stressful for your cat, so make sure to store it in a private location that is easy to access.
5. Territory Issues
If you have more than one cat inside your household, inappropriate urinating may easily occur. A cat might be simply marking her territory, but this can also happen if your cat has not been spayed or neutered, so mating behavior instincts might start to occur.
How to Stop a Cat From Peeing on Furniture?
As you can see, all these problems that occur and the reasons why your cat is peeing on your furniture are fixable. In the section below, we are going to list some of the best solutions that will keep your cat urinating inside the litterbox borders.
1. Visit Your Veterinarian
If your cat starts peeing outside the litterbox, it is essential to visit and consult your veterinarian as soon as possible in order to prevent your pet from making this behavior a habit. We have already listed the conditions that might lead to this, so your cat needs to be physically examed.
2. Clean up Areas on Which Your Cat Peed Thoroughly
Regardless of the issue your cat has, it is crucial to clean all the areas where your cat peed previously thoroughly. This is important not only for the elimination of odor but for your pet since it will not draw him back to the same location. To identify these locations (if you cannot figure them out by scent), use the black light.
3. Control Conflict Between Your Cats
If you own multiple cats inside your household, there are chances of conflict between them. This generally happens when you introduce a new cat to the household since cats are very territorial animals, and they also do not like any type of change, which can lead to inappropriate urinating.
If your cats start fighting in or around the litterbox, they might start avoiding it rather than taking chances and going into an altercation yet again. The best solution for this is to separate cats for a while so that tensions can cool off and then start progressively reintroducing them.
Another smart solution is to purchase multiple litterboxes, as only one is just not going to cut it. With multiple litterboxes, you can prevent conflict between cats and provide them with their own territory. Spreading several boxes around the house is also a wise decision.
4. Position the Litterboxes Around the House Appropriately
Location of your litterboxes matters, especially if your house has several floors. If this is the case, make sure that you have at least one litterbox on each floor. It is also important that the litterbox is accessible and in an open space because if it is too tucked away, a cat might not bother to go and find it.
Ensure that the litterbox is away from loud areas such as washing machines or dryers, as they might scare your feline. Also, if your cat keeps peeing on the same spot, try storing the litterbox over that area, then slowly move it to the location that you find suitable.
5. Pick the Litterbox That Your Cat Likes
Some people decide to opt for the enclosed litterbox as it usually looks prettier and fits their decorating standards. However, cats might not be ok with it as these litterboxes tend to be small, dark, and smelly, which can ultimately force them to do their business elsewhere.
The sides of the litterbox should also be low enough so that your cat can easily step over. This is especially important for older cats. Opt for a litterbox that is both large and open and has low sides so that cat can enter easily.
6. Make Sure That Your Cat Chooses the Type of Litter
Although litter that is heavily perfumed or has a strong scent to mask your cat’s urine might be good for you, cats typically tend to disagree. They have very sensitive noses, so something that may seem pleasant to the human nose might overpower them.
Multiple studies have shown that cats generally prefer unscented litter, but just to make sure, purchase several litterboxes and several types of litter and spread them around your home. It is likely that your cat will choose the one that suits her best.
Final Words
Whenever your cat pees on your furniture or any other surface outside the litterbox, it represents a clear sign that there is a serious problem, so make sure to respond timely and ensure that this condition does not progress.
The thing that is most important is that you should never punish your cat for this behavior. Instead, make sure to identify the problem and react accordingly. In case you cannot find the issue consult a qualified expert, as it is one of the best solutions to fix this cat behavior.