How to Prevent Cats from Peeing on the Carpet

Some cats have a habit of urinating on the carpet which is annoying for owners. The smell of cat urine is unpleasant and often diffuses throughout the house. It is also very difficult to clean cat urine from carpeting and fabrics, leaving unpleasant odors in the house. In addition, this problem is even more difficult to overcome when cats have a habit of continuing to urinate in places that already smell their urine. There are many reasons why cats urinate outside their litter tray, including urinary tract and bladder problems, a problem with the type of sand being used, or conflict with other animals. Read the article below to learn how to prevent your cat from urinating on the carpet.

Table of Contents

Prevent cats from urinating on the carpet

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/3/34/Prevent-Cats-from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-1-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px- Prevent-Cats-from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-1-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/3/34/Prevent-Cats- from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-1-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Prevent-Cats-from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-1-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Take your cat to the vet. Medical problems such as urinary tract infections can cause your cat to urinate on the carpet instead of in the litter box. Before taking any intervention, you should bring your cat to see a veterinarian to treat the illness that may be causing the behavior. Immediate cat health check-ups are important to protect their health, and prevent cats from developing a prolonged aversion to litter trays. ^{[1] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to Source}^{[2] X Research Source}

Prolonged straining, blood in the urine, frequent urination, and meowing while urinating are all signs that your cat has a bladder or urinary tract infection or other infection. These health issues can keep them away from the litter tray. Those signs also indicate that a blockage in the urinary tract can be life-threatening. Only a veterinarian can tell the difference, so you must bring your cat to them.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/1/1f/Prevent-Cats-from-Understanding-on-Carpet-Step-2-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px- Prevent-Cats-from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-2-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/1f/Prevent-Cats- from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-2-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prevent-Cats-from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-2-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Clean the area where the cat urinates with an enzyme cleaner. Clean up the spot as soon as it happens to prevent the cat from continuing to use it to urinate. Use an enzymatic cleaner instead of an ammonia-based one. Ammonia-based cleaners can cause your cat to urinate more in that spot because she thinks the ammonia smell is another cat’s urine, and she has to cover it up with her own urine. ^{[3] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to Source}^{[4] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to Source}

Consider hiring a carpet cleaning service if it’s heavily soiled.
Some foot mats cannot be washed if stains are not treated immediately. Throw away the carpet that has been urinated on by cats many times.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/3/3e/Prevent-Cats-from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-3-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px- Prevent-Cats-from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-3-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/3/3e/Prevent-Cats- from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-3-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Prevent-Cats-from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-3-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Place the litter tray on the carpet where the cat likes to urinate. When your cat starts to get into the habit of going to the toilet on a mat or carpet, place the litter box on that spot to encourage her to use the litter box. After the cat has been urinating in the litter box for a month, move the litter box 3cm per day until it moves to the desired location. ^{[5] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to Source}

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/7/74/Prevent-Cats-from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-4-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px- Prevent-Cats-from-Understanding-on-Carpet-Step-4-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/74/Prevent-Cats- from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-4-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Prevent-Cats-from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-4-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Turn the walkway mat or floor mat over. It is possible that your cat has developed a habit of urinating on a particular rug. Then you should turn the carpet upside down so that it hesitates to urinate because the roughness of the carpet has changed. Try turning the mat and floor mats upside down for a few days to see if that can stop your cat from urinating on them. ^{[6] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

Know common litter tray problems

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/1/14/Prevent-Cats-from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-8-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px- Prevent-Cats-from-Understanding-on-Carpet-Step-8-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/14/Prevent-Cats- from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-8-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prevent-Cats-from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-8-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

How often do you clean the sand tray? Cats don’t use a dirty litter tray, so they begin to defecate elsewhere if the litter box is dirty. If you don’t clean the litter box every day, this could be the reason your cat pees on the carpet. ^{[10] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to Source}^{[11] X Research Source}

In addition to changing the sand in the tray every day, once a week you should remove the sand from the tray, clean the tray with water and unscented soap or baking soda. Once done, dry the tray and replace with new sand.
Use a self-cleaning sand tray to make it easier to keep the sand tray clean.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/4/49/Prevent-Cats-from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-9-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px- Prevent-Cats-from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-9-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/49/Prevent-Cats- from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-9-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prevent-Cats-from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-9-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Make sure there are enough sand trays in the house. You must have an extra litter box in addition to the number of cats in the house. For example, if you have three cats, buy four litter trays. If you only have 2 litters and 3 cats, then the lack of a litter box could be the reason your cat pees on the carpet. ^{[12] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/6/67/Prevent-Cats-from-Understanding-on-Carpet-Step-10-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px- Prevent-Cats-from-Understanding-on-Carpet-Step-10-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/6/67/Prevent-Cats- from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-10-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prevent-Cats-from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-10-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Determine if the cat can easily access the litter box. If the cat has to walk a long distance to get to the litter box, or if the litter box itself makes it difficult for the cat to get in and out, that may be why he urinated on the carpet. Place the litter box in a place that is easily accessible to the cat when it needs to go to the bathroom urgently, such as one upstairs and one downstairs. ^{[13] X Research Source}^{[14] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to Source}

Make sure the cat can see people or other animals approaching and easily hide. They don’t like being cornered.
If the cat is old, you must take care of its needs by using a sand tray with a low edge so that it is easy to get in and out of.
Place the litter box near or on top of the mat where the cat usually urinates.

Consider cat health and behavior issues

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/7/79/Prevent-Cats-from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-13-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px- Prevent-Cats-from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-13-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/79/Prevent-Cats- from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-13-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prevent-Cats-from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-13-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Assess whether stress is causing your cat to urinate on the carpet. Other pets, children, or noisy environments can all stress your cat and avoid using the litter box. So you remember to put the sand tray in a place that is half light and half dark, quiet and separate. If you place the sand tray in a place with a lot of traffic or noise, it will shy away from using the sand tray.

Try a Feliway Diffuser scent to help your cat relax. Cats love the scent of this product.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/f/fc/Prevent-Cats-from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-14-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px- Prevent-Cats-from-Understanding-on-Carpet-Step-14-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/fc/Prevent-Cats- from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-14-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prevent-Cats-from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-14-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Consider your cat’s current and past health status. The cat’s medical history may explain why it refuses to use the litter box. If you suspect your cat is sick, take him to the vet as soon as possible. Early treatment can eliminate the problem of going to the toilet outside the litter box as well as help relieve the cat’s pain and discomfort. Urinary tract infections and interstitial cystitis are common illnesses that can cause cats to urinate on the carpet. ^{[17] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

Urinary tract infections can cause cats to avoid litter trays, even after the illness has cleared up. It still associates the sand tray with pain, so it will avoid using it.
Interstitial cystitis is another common cause of cat litter aversion. Cats with interstitial cystitis may urinate on the carpet because they have a more frequent need to urinate.
Kidney stones and urinary obstruction also cause an aversion to sand trays. Cats will meow or hiss while defecating in the sand tray, and fear of pain persists after the illness has been treated.
Remember that early treatment is essential so that your cat does not develop a lasting aversion to litter boxes. ^{[18] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to Source}

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/c/c4/Prevent-Cats-from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-15-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px- Prevent-Cats-from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-15-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/c/c4/Prevent-Cats- from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-15-Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Prevent-Cats-from-Urinating-on-Carpet-Step-15-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460 ,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Find out if urine stains are the cause of your cat not using the litter box. Cats often spray some urine on furniture or surfaces to mark their territory. This amount of urine is much less than when they urinate. If your cat exhibits the above behavior, many of the ways in this article will help, but there are some other things you need to do to prevent your cat from leaving urine stains. ^{[19] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

Urine staining behavior is most common in unneutered male cats, but neutered female cats also exhibit this behavior, so it’s important that you neuter or remove your cat’s ovaries.
Urine marking is also common in homes with more than ten cats, so you should keep below this number to avoid this problem. ^{[20] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

Advice

If the kitten is urinating on the carpet, you should find out if it is being threatened by larger cats or other animals. Also you need to make sure it knows the way to the sand tray and can step in and out easily.
If you have multiple cats and don’t know which one is urinating on the floor, you can ask your veterinarian about the use of fluorescein to find the culprit. All urine stains shine in the dark. Fluorescein gives urine a prominent color, so if you have a lot of cats, you can double check to find the culprit. ^{[21] X Research Source}
Always wear gloves when working with sand trays and when changing sand. Wash your hands with soap and water after you’re done.
Consider installing a dedicated cat door if you keep your cat both indoors and outdoors. This type of door makes it easy for the cat to go out if it wants to go to the bathroom outside.

Warning

Never use ammonia or vinegar to clean carpets contaminated with cat urine. These products smell like cat urine, so the cat will continue to urinate in it.
Don’t use strong-smelling litter if your cat is urinating on the floor. Many cats hate strong odors and prefer unscented sand.
Do not suddenly change the status of the litter box or the placement of the tray. For example, change the type of sand used by slowly mixing the new sand with the old sand. If you need to change the placement of the sand tray, keep one tray in the old position and the other in the new position until it uses the new tray regularly.
Do not put the cat’s nose in the urine, do not pick it up and place it in a sand tray, or keep it in a small room. These measures will not solve the problem, but will make the cat have a worse aversion to the litter box. ^{[22] X Research Sources}^{[23] X Credible Sources The Humane Society of the United States Go to Source}

Steps

Prevent cats from urinating on the carpet

Know common litter tray problems

Consider cat health and behavior issues

Advice

Warning

Related Posts