Q&A for How to Keep Your Cat from Urinating Where It Shouldn't

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How do I keep my 16 year old bengal cat from urinating on the couch?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

If the cat has previously been clean and this is a new habit, then a vet check up is a good idea. At 16 years it might be the cat has a health problem which is causing them to drink more and then pee more. It's interesting that the preferred location is the sofa because this is strongly linked to your presence and the scent will be strongly reassuring for the cat. Thus, in a back-handed compliment the cat is toiletting on the sofa as they feel safe there. Before assuming this is behavioral the cat should be checked by a vet.

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We have 4 cats that have access to outdoors, but last year, two of them started fighting, and now accidents happen in the house. Offering a litter tray made no difference, and they still pee in certain places. What can I do?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

If the accidents started since the cats stopped getting along, then this might be a case of territory marking. Key to resolving the problem is getting rid of any existing odor (clean the patch daily for at least 2 - 3 weeks after the last accident) and decrease stress between the cats. Do this by providing high perches, hiding places, separating their food bowls so they each have their own food in separate locations, and providing 2 routes through each room so they can avoid each other. Do not tell the cats off, as this increases their stress.

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My female cat never peed outside the box until last month. Now she uses a spot on the carpet not far from the box. We've cleaned the area and she doesn't soil there every day, just in spells. What can we do?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Sadly, there's cleaning... and there's cleaning effectively. Behaviorists recommend thoroughly deodorizing every day until the cat has not used the spot for 2 - 3 weeks (so at least 14 cleanings in a row!) It might be something spooked her in the original tray, so try offering another tray that's similar but not identical, near to the spot she has currently chosen. Try putting her food on the offending spot, as she's less likely to soil where she eats.

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My cat urinates in one corner of the room. I covered the area with her bed and a towel, but it hasn't worked. What else can I do?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

You need to identify if something is triggering her to toilet in this spot. Has there been any recent stress, such as building work, a change of routine, a stray entering, or a new pet in the house? If there has been no stress and this is out of character for her, then she should be checked by a vet to ensure she doesn't have a health problem, such as a low-grade bladder infection. As a short-term measure, cover the area with silver foil, and put her food bowls there. Provide a clean litter tray in a separate area, somewhere safe and quiet.

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