Cat Behavior Problems | Stop Cats Peeing On Carpet

Be Kind
Please do not punish, hit or yell at your cat for not using the litter tray. Cats will not connect this to their "misbehaviour" and will either think you've gone a bit nutty or may even become wary or scared of you. This will not help the problem in the slightest and may in fact make it worse. Your cat is not trying to upset you by peeing in the corner, he is trying to tell you something.

Sometimes even a cat that is usually happy to use the litter box will suddenly start urinating in inappropriate places and it can be difficult to understand why. It's important to get to the bottom of the problem quickly, before it becomes a long-term habit that is even more difficult to change.

Rule Out Medical Problems
The first thing is to thoroughly check for any underlying medical problems or illnesses that can cause a cat to not use the litter box. It's best to get a vet to examine out your cat and make sure he or she doesn't have:

• a bladder infection


• diarrhoea


• feline urological syndrome


• feline leukaemia


• arthritis


• diabetes


• bladder stones

or some other underlying condition. Do this as soon as you notice the problem, as there may be a life-threatening issue that needs to be sorted out as soon as possible.

If your cat doesn't have any health issues, the next thing to do is to look at the litter box itself.

Stinky Litter Syndrome
Often, the main reason a cat won't use the litter tray comes down to the cleanliness of the litter box. Cats have a very strong sense of smell and are quite fastidious when it comes to where they do their business. Would you use a toilet that stank to high heaven?! No, and your cat won't either. So make sure you change the litter regularly.

Often it can seem like it's not that wet, but if you scrape the top layer, particularly in the corners, you will see that it can be quite wet underneath. It's a good idea to completely change the litter every 4 - 6 days, especially if your cat stays indoors a lot.

Litter Box Location
Where the litter box is placed is also important. I initially had my litter box in the laundry, which was fine if the washing machine wasn't on. I quickly discovered that if the machine was on, my cat was reluctant to use the litter box. Cats are quite sensitive to noise and won't feel relaxed about using the litter tray if it's in a place that's noisy or busy. Make sure it's somewhere quiet and private.

Types Of Litter
Changing the type of litter can also be a factor. If your cat is used to a particular type of litter and you try a different sort, your cat may not feel comfortable using it. Cats are creatures of habit and change can often be difficult for them. Sometimes it's a simple as going back to the brand of litter you used to buy.

Don't use scented litters, or spray perfume or air fresheners around the tray! It may smell good to you, but not to your cat. Just keep the litter fresh and smell shouldn't be a problem.

Stress is also a major factor. If you have recently moved house, got another pet, had a baby, been away or had someone new move into the house, your cat may be stressed.

What's Changed?
It's a good idea to think about any changes that have occurred in your cat's environment, as this is often the cause of any "misbehaviour". Then you can try and reduce the stress these factors cause, e.g., you could spend time getting your cat accustomed to new people or pets by slowly introducing them at supervised times.

Moving House
Cats often find moving house a traumatic experience,as they are udually very attached to their familiar environment. When moving, it's a good idea to keep your cat confined to one room of the new house while she adjusts to the new environment. Remember to give your cat his familiar belongings and toys, as well as a well-placed litter tray in the corner.

Consider Using Feliway
One amazing new product that can help with stress in cats is Feliway, a diffuser you plug into a power socket in your home that releases a pheromone which will help your cat feel happier and more secure. This pheramone is a synthetic copy of the pheromone cats naturally produce when they rub their heads and bodies against objects and people they like - I'm sure everyone has seen a cat do this!

I noticed a big difference in my cat overall from using Feliway - she was much more chilled out and sociable, and this helped her feel more relaxed about using the litter box. You can get a Feliway diffuser here.

If you have tried all these tactics and you still can't stop your cat urinating inside, you might want to have a look at Cat Secrets Revealed which can help you to fully understand the issues your cat is having and gives excellent advice on what to do about it when all else fails.

Good luck and don't give up!