Your cat is peeing outside the litter box, on the bath mat or even on your bed. It’s frustrating, but they’re not doing it out of spite. They’re trying to tell you something: there’s a problem with their health, with the litter box or with their surroundings. In autumn it can happen more often: they go out on the balcony less, the litter box fills up faster, and visitors or fireworks can stress them out. Here’s how to find out what’s happening and fix it step by step.
Step 1: rule out a medical cause first
Has your cat suddenly started peeing in the house when they’ve always used the litter box properly? Take them to the vet first. Cystitis, urinary crystals, kidney problems or arthritis pain can make a cat avoid the litter box: they link the pain to that spot and look for another one. Take them as soon as possible if you notice that they:
- go to the litter box very often and only pass a little urine each time;
- strain, meow or cry when peeing;
- have blood in their urine.
Warning: a male cat who strains and can’t pee, or only passes a few drops, must see a vet immediately, or an emergency vet if it’s night-time or a bank holiday. A urethral blockage is an emergency.
Step 2: take a critical look at the litter box
- Enough litter boxes. The general rule: one litter box per cat, plus one. With two cats, three litter boxes, ideally in different places.
- The right size. It should be roughly one and a half times the length of your cat, not counting the tail. An older cat with stiff joints finds it easier to get in if the edge is low.
- Covered or uncovered. A covered litter box traps smells, and some cats don’t like that. Try an open one.
- The litter. Many cats prefer fine, clumping, unscented litter. Have you recently changed brand or type? Go back to the old one or switch gradually, mixing a little more of the new litter in with the old each day over a week.
Step 3: keep the litter box really clean
A cat’s sense of smell is far keener than yours. Scoop out clumps and poo at least once a day, ideally twice. Change all the litter regularly and wash the box with hot water and a mild, unscented soap. Don’t use bleach or ammonia: ammonia reminds them of urine and strong smells put them off. Still smells bad despite everything? You’ll find more tips in our article on a cat litter box that smells.
Step 4: choose the right spot for the litter box
- Put it somewhere quiet, away from busy areas and from the washing machine or boiler, which can make sudden noises.
- Don’t put it next to their food and water: cats don’t like eating and going to the toilet in the same place.
- Make sure they can always get to it, even if a door is closed. If your home has several floors, put a litter box on each one.
- Is it on the balcony, in a storeroom or in a cold utility room? In autumn and winter that’s an unpleasant place. Better indoors, somewhere warm and quiet.
Step 5: reduce stress
A house move, building work, a baby, another cat in the house or a neighbourhood cat peering through the window can all make your cat pee indoors. At Halloween and on New Year’s Eve, visitors and fireworks play a part too. What helps:
- fixed times for meals and play;
- several short play sessions a day (you’ll find ideas in our article on how to keep an indoor cat entertained);
- letting them hunt for part of their food, for example in a slow feeder, so they have something to do;
- if you have several cats, food bowls, water bowls and litter boxes in different places, so that none of them can block another’s way.
Peeing or marking?
If they do it on a horizontal surface, such as the floor, the bed or the sofa, they’re usually peeing. If they stand and spray a small jet against a wall or a curtain, with their tail raised and quivering, they’re marking their territory. It’s more common in cats that haven’t been neutered or spayed and when there’s tension with other cats. Neutering or spaying usually helps; talk to your vet about it.
If your cat pees outside the litter box: how to clean the area
- Blot fresh urine straight away with kitchen roll, dabbing rather than rubbing.
- Clean with an enzymatic cleaner for pet urine. Ordinary products remove the smell for you, but not for your cat, which is why they keep going back. Test it first on a hidden spot.
- Don’t use ammonia or bleach.
- Afterwards, make that spot less appealing for a while: put their food bowl or a toy there, or cover it with tin foil.
More advice in our guide on how to get rid of cat pee smell.
What to avoid
Never punish your cat or push their nose towards the pee. All you’ll achieve is making them afraid of you and getting them to pee in secret somewhere else. It’s better to reward them when they use the litter box, with a calm word or a treat. Small changes often solve the problem.