How to Stop My Cat From Peeing on The Carpet Or Outside the Litterbox

It's an exciting time. You've just welcomed a fluffy feline into the family. What could go wrong?

This playful ball of fur is a big hit with everyone, and you feel confident that getting the kitty you've always wanted was a brilliant decision.

Then the hairy little horror starts peeing on your lovely carpet!

What do you do?

When your cat starts peeing outside the litter box, it's incredibly frustrating. If your cat keeps peeing on the carpet in the same spot, it's tough to clean up, and the strong smells can get pretty nasty too.

You're not alone!

Many cat owners have had to deal with the same soggy situation. Fortunately, there are a few solutions to this pongy problem.

In this article, we'll explore the reasons why cats might start peeing on the carpet and reveal techniques to make the litterbox more appealing to your kitty.

We also have a complete guide to stopping your cat from peeing in the house which discusses more medical issues.

One thing to keep in mind is that cats aren't spiteful. Your cat isn't trying to "get you back" for not playing with them or for running out of yummy treats.

Punishing a cat should never be an option. Using positive reinforcement, however, gets much better results.

Cats actually like to keep clean, so if they begin peeing outside their litter box, it's usually a sign there's a problem.

You need to put your detective hat on to determine what that 'something' is. Is their inappropriate urination due to medical issues, the type of litter tray, or a behavioural issue? Let's find out...

If your kitty used to go to the toilet outdoors but has started leaving little presents indoors, it may be because other cats in the area are making them anxious. Territorial disputes are common in the animal world and are a good reason for cats to avoid certain areas.

If local cats use your garden as a toilet, your cat will feel insecure about their "territory" and may wee or poo indoors to mark it as their own.

Your cat may be freaked out by noise, and the sound of people, traffic, or dogs could make them reluctant to go outside.

If you have an older cat that isn't as spritely as they once were, they may be having trouble negotiating the cat flap or getting to the litter tray in time.

Consider getting a shallow litter box to make it easier for them to get in and out. It is important to monitor your cat's peeing habits in order to highlight reasons why this unwanted behaviour is occurring.

The first thing to rule out when your cat starts ruining your posh carpet is that there isn't a medical reason behind it.

Your cat may have something as simple as a urinary tract infection, urinary obstruction , or it could be something more serious like diabetes, kidney disease, liver diseases, or inflammatory disease. It could also be something as simple as thyroid issues.

If you think there's a medical reason behind your cat's sudden change in behaviour, or you see your furry friend struggling to pee, take them to the vet for a check-up as soon as possible.

Once you've ruled out illness, it's time to dig a little deeper. Here are the most common reasons why cats avoid their litterbox:

Your cat doesn't like the type of litter being used

Your brand of cat litter could be the problem, especially if it's scented. A cat's nose is up to sixteen times more sensitive than ours. What may seem like a pleasant fragrant smell to us may be overpowering for a cat. 

Cats are also affected by what they feel under their feet, and if the litter's texture isn't to their liking, they aren't going to use it.

There aren't enough litter boxes to go around

Households with more than one cat and only one litterbox could be experiencing a kitty turf war!

Cats find it tough to share their "territory". If one cat is claiming the litter box for their own, the others may start using different areas around the home as a litter box, such as your carpet. 

The litter box is too close to your cat's food or bed

Like us, cats don't want to eat near a toilet or sleep next to one either! They prefer to keep themselves clean and have their own personal space. 

If the litter box is too close to where they eat or sleep, they're likely to avoid it.

Their litter box is dirty or too small

I'm sure you would always expect a clean toilet before you, ahem, "go", and our feline friends have similar standards regarding their litter box. 

If your cat's litter box isn't cleaned regularly, they'll look for somewhere nicer to go, and that could be your lovely non-wipeable carpet. 

Another big no-no is a litterbox that's too small. Cats are less likely to use an uncomfortable, cramped litterbox.

There's too much noise or activity going on around the litter box

Cats are hyper-alert to loud sounds and like peace and quiet when using their litter box. If they're stressed out by too much noise or activity, they'll avoid the litter box altogether and go elsewhere in the house.

Your cat is anxious or feels unsafe

Stress and anxiety play a huge part when it comes to your cat's toilet habits. 

Big changes in the family, such as a new baby, a new pet, or even moving house, can stress out a cat, and they may start toileting indoors as a result.

We've explored the reasons your cat might be avoiding their litter box. Now let's look at how to stop your cat from peeing on the floor.

Firstly, we need to make the litter tray appealing to your cat.

Here are a few things to try:

• Clean your litter boxes regularly - Scooping out daily, and a complete clean once a week

• Have a litter box on each floor of your house - Make them easy to find.

• Try a different type of litter - Try one that's soft and unscented.

• Make sure the litter box is big enough for your cat - Roomy enough to comfortably turn around in.

• A quiet place - Locate the litter box in a quiet, secluded area of the house where your cat won't be disturbed.

• More than one cat = more than one litter box - To avoid total war amongst your fluffy felines, have at least one litter box for each cat.

• Treat your kitty - Offer treats after they have used their litter box to create a positive association with using their litter box.

If you've tried all of the solutions listed above and you're still wondering how to stop your kitten peeing on the carpet, you can always purchase an enzymatic cleaner.

This will break down the urine and neutralise the smell making it unappealing to your cat.

You can also make your own at home.

Avoid using ammonia-based products as this may attract your cat back to the same spot to leave their mark all over again.

You could try putting the litter box over the pee spot, and when your kitty comes back to the scene of the crime, they'll use the litter box instead.

Another trick is to use double-sided tape on the area of the carpet where they've been peeing. This may be a great deterrent because cats hate the feel of sticky tape on their sensitive paws.

If all else fails, there's always repellent spray such as bitter apple or citrus scents which will make the area smell unpleasant to your cat.

Whichever solution you decide to try, be patient and consistent. It may take a while for your kitty to start using the litter box again.

If you're still having no luck, maybe it's time to visit your veterinarian, as there could be an underlying health issue causing the behaviour.

Cat pee has an extremely potent odour that can linger long after the initial mess is gone. You're going to need something with some oomph to shift it.

Vinegar is a great natural cleaner that can get rid of nasty smells like cat pee.

Soak a cloth in white vinegar and place it over the affected area, leaving it for a few hours. The vinegar will break down the urine and neutralise the smell.

For larger areas or for particularly stubborn smells, mix white vinegar with water in a spray bottle and use it to soak the affected area.

Be sure to test this on an inconspicuous area of the carpet first.

If your cat is peeing on the carpet, don't despair! There are plenty of solutions that can be tailored to fit your individual cat's needs.

By making the litter box more appealing, keeping it clean, and using a deterrent spray or enzymatic cleaner, you can hopefully stop your kitty from going rogue and stinking out the house.

And remember, patience and perseverance are key.