How Do You Stop a Cat From Peeing on Everything?

Cat urine is one of the strongest, most pungent smells that is extremely difficult to remove completely. While inappropriate elimination by your feline friend is certainly frustrating and messy, there is hope to get the problem under control. By taking the time to understand what's causing your cat's change in litter habits and implementing some strategic solutions, you can stop the out-of-box peeing and get your home smelling fresh again. With some detective work and persistence, you can redirect your cat back to properly using their litter box.

Why Cats Pee Everywhere

There are two main reasons why cats pee outside of the litter box:

1. Territorial Marking Behaviors

• Urine Marking by Intact Cats: Adult unneutered males and unspayed females will instinctively spray urine to mark their territory once they reach sexual maturity around 5-6 months old.
• Stress-Induced Spraying: Cats may spray urine when feeling anxious or threatened by changes like new people, pets, sounds or disruptions in their environment. This is their way of re-establishing their territory.

2. Inappropriate Elimination Issues

In these cases, the cat is not intentionally marking, but has issues properly using the litter box due to:

• Litter Box Aversion: If the litter box is left too dirty with built-up waste and odors, cats may start avoiding it and going elsewhere.
• Box Location Changes: Suddenly moving the litter box's location without re-introducing it gradually can confuse some cats into eliminating elsewhere.
• New Arrivals: The addition of new people, pets or objects into the cat's territory can trigger elimination outside the box until they adjust.
• Medical Problems: Underlying health issues like urinary tract infections, kidney disease, arthritis or injuries may make it difficult or painful for a cat to use the litter box normally.

Understanding if your cat's issue is territorial marking or inappropriate elimination due to other factors is key to resolving out-of-box peeing problems.

Solutions to Stop Cats from Peeing Everywhere

Dealing with a cat that pees outside the litter box can be incredibly frustrating, but there are ways to get the behavior under control. From re-training tactics to changes in the litter box setup and environment, these solutions can help redirect your cat back to proper litter habits.

1. Training the Cat

If your cat has started peeing in inappropriate places, re-training proper litter box usage can help get them back on track. Start by gradually reintroducing the litter box in a new location if you've recently moved it. Don't just place it somewhere new all at once or your cat may not recognize it. Slowly shift the box over a few days so they can adjust.

Also pay close attention to your cat's behavior to learn the signs that they need to eliminate, like sniffing around or scratching. When you see those cues, immediately take them to the litter box and use positive reinforcement like treats and praise when they go inside it. With time and consistency, you can reinforce the right habits.

2. Maintaining Cleanliness

Often, cats will start urinating elsewhere if their litter box is left too dirty and smelly. Stay on top of scooping out clumps and solid waste daily, while fully changing all of the litter every 1-2 weeks. Do a deep clean of the box itself periodically as built-up odors can really deter a cat from wanting to use it. Automatic self-cleaning litter boxes that use rakes or cycles can also help keep things fresher with less manual scooping required.

3. Reducing Cat Stress

Cats may begin to pee inappropriately due to various stressors in their environment, such as the arrival of new people or pets, unfamiliar sounds, or changes in their usual surroundings. To help reduce your cat's anxiety, identify and where possible, eliminate these stress triggers from their space. Additionally, you can use synthetic pheromone products, which mimic the natural calming signals that cats produce. These pheromones can significantly soothe your cat's nerves and make them less likely to return to the same spots for repetitive marking behavior.

4. Using Repellents

For areas your cat has repeatedly soiled, using repellents can discourage them from returning to that spot. You can purchase commercial cat repellent sprays, granules or mats designed to deter peeing. Or make your own repellents from home ingredients like vinegar, citrus, coffee grounds, or even aluminum foil which cats dislike walking on. Applying repellents in problem areas can help stop your cat from peeing there again.

How to Eliminate Cat Pee Odor

One of the most difficult parts of dealing with a cat peeing outside the litter box is removing that strong, lingering urine odor. Even after cleaning up the initial mess, ammonia smells can remain stubbornly absorbed into surfaces. Tackling those tough pee odors is crucial to discourage your cat from revisiting the same soiled areas again.

1. Deep Cleaning Soiled Areas

To fully remove cat pee odors, you'll need to do a deep cleaning of any affected areas. This involves using an enzymatic cleaner designed specifically for pet odors and stains. Thoroughly soak the area, let it sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the enzymes to work, then blot up as much of the moisture as possible.

2. Absorbing Urine First

Before deep cleaning, it's best to first absorb as much of the urine as you can from the surface. Lay down layers of paper or cloth towels and weigh them down to soak up the pee. You can also try sprinkling some baking soda on the area first to help absorb odors and moisture before cleaning.

3. Alternative Odor Removers

If you don't have access to enzymatic cleaners, there are some natural home remedies that can help tackle lingering cat pee smells:

4. Citronella Spray

This strong citrus scent can help mask and overpower urine odors. Mix citronella oil or spray with water in a spray bottle and saturate affected areas.

5. Vinegar Solutions

The acidic nature of vinegar can help neutralize the ammonia in cat urine. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle to treat smells.

6. Black Pepper Mixture

The pungent aroma of black pepper can help eliminate persistent pee odors. Mix 1 cup warm water, 1 tablespoon dish soap and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Apply and let sit for 10 minutes before blotting.

7. Coffee/Tea Bags

Place used coffee or tea bags inside smelly shoes or other small areas to help absorb lingering urine scents.

8. Sulphur Powder

Sprinkling a light coating of sulphur powder over dried areas and vacuuming up can help remove odor from carpets and fabrics.

While these natural remedies can help, severe soiling may require professional cleaning services to fully eliminate tough, embedded urine smells from carpets or upholstery.

Finding the Right Solution for Litter Box Success

While dealing with a cat that pees everywhere can be incredibly frustrating, the good news is there are solutions that can help. The key is first identifying the root cause - whether it's territorial marking behaviors or other factors leading to litter box aversion and inappropriate elimination. From there, you can implement the appropriate strategies like re-training, maintaining a clean litter environment, reducing stressors, using repellents, and in some cases seeking veterinary assistance. Don't give up - with some detective work, diligence and adjustments, you can get your cat back to using the litter box consistently and keep your home free of lingering urine odors.