Thinking outside the litter box: cat urine 101

[hocus pocus]

Thinking outside the litter box: cat urine 101
By Cassie (cynefin)

Cats, like humans and many other creatures, are complex. Sometimes, things they do and why they do them can puzzle us humans. Your cat may occasionally (or frequently) urinate outside of the litter box, which can be frustrating for you and your cat. Read on to learn more about why cats urinate outside of the box and how to effectively clean and remedy it.

Why is my cat peeing outside of the litter box?

Your cat is most likely urinating outside of the litter box in attempt to tell you something. Cats do this for a number of reasons, ranging from medical issues to an unhappiness about their litter box conditions.

• Your cat may have a medical problem. Sometimes cats avoid the box if they have an underlying condition that makes it difficult or uncomfortable to use the litter. Consider taking your cat to the vet to rule out or receive treatment for any underlying medical conditions. Note that some cats may spray (similar to urinating) outside of the box if they are not spayed or neutered.
• Perhaps your cat is unhappy about his or her litter box. The type of box and litter, as well as the location of the box matters. While every cat is different, cats tend to prefer an uncovered litter box that is placed in a quiet, private area for them to do their business. An uncovered box allows for a cat to have multiple ways of escaping. Cats also typically prefer their humans to be consistent with the type of litter that they purchase, since each litter can have a different scent or feeling. While some companies are more inexpensive than others, the inexpensive litter can irritate you and your cat. Some litters are finer or dustier than others. When thinking about your litter box, consider how often you scoop it. Your cat may be unhappy if you do not scoop it frequently enough. Try scooping it more frequently and sprinkling a fresh layer of baking soda (to absorb odors) on top.
• Many cats that relieve themselves in areas besides the litter box live in a multi-cat household. A rivalry (even a playful one) can make your cat upset or anxious enough to urinate elsewhere. This is especially true when a playful cat waits for another outside of the litter box. If you have multiple cats, it is important to make sure you have enough litter boxes. A general rule of thumb is one box per cat, plus one extra. If you have three cats, for instance, the recommendation is four litter boxes.
• Any kind of change or additional stress may account for your cat peeing outside of the litter box. A new pet, moving, or a guest in your home may impact how your cat feels.

Cleaning cat urine

While cats can urinate in a variety of different areas, this article will address the most common areas such as the carpet, bedding or clothes.

Note: Do not use bleach to clean cat urine. The bleach can mix with the ammonia in the urine and cause a very harmful chemical reaction.

If the cat urine is wet on the carpet or on your towels, sheets, or clothes, sop as much of it up as possible with paper towels or an old towel that you are not concerned about. Do not rub the towels into the cat urine as this just rubs the urine into the fabric even more.

After sopping the excess urine off of the carpet, apply a generous amount of vinegar. Let it sit and then begin to blot it up. Remove as much of the vinegar as you can. Sprinkle some baking soda on top and vacuum it when it dries. The vinegar will help to break down the smell. If the carpet is still particularly wet, the baking soda might react with the vinegar but it is not harmful.

Put clothes into the washer. Wash with baking soda, vinegar, and your normal detergent. Wash with hot water, with minimal water, as the minimal amount of water will create friction between the fabrics and the washer. You want this friction to help get the urine out. Do try to follow the clothing label if possible. If you cannot wash with hot water, try a lower temperature or take clothes to the dry cleaner's if necessary. Afterwards, put the clothes or other fabrics back through another wash cycle and then air dry them. You can put them in the dryer for a few minutes before air drying them. The heat from the dryer can lock in staining. Any leftover smell tends to be most noticeable with the dryer heat; air drying avoids that. Note that some clothes cannot be put in the dryer at all, however.


With other surfaces such as mattresses or furniture, try blotting and using vinegar to clean it the same way. If your cat repeatedly pees on your bed or couch, look into a mattress pad or a couch cover that you can throw into the washer. Unfortunately, some surfaces or objects may be too far gone and need to be thrown away.

While it is not a necessity, investing in a small upholstery cleaner may be worth it. Not only can this help with your cat, but can also help with other spills and staining around your home. If finances are an issue, consider purchasing a refurbished upholstery cleaner for a discounted price. While these cleaners advertise special cleaning products, you do not have to use them. Vinegar is inexpensive and usually works well.

How can I get my cat to use the litter box again?

• When you clean cat urine, try to get as much of the smell out as you possibly can. Doing this sometimes means cleaning the object or area a few times. Cats will often pee in the same area multiple times if they can still smell the urine from the last time.
• Keep clothes, bedding, and towels off of the floor. Cats are more likely to pee on your items when they are on the floor as opposed to being up on the bed or in your hamper.
• Make a cat repellent. Cats do not like citrus or disinfectant-like scents. The simplest way to make a cat repellent is to dilute some of your mouthwash with water and keep it in a spray bottle. Spray the area your cat tends to relieve itself in every twelve hours. While this does work, it can be considered more as a temporary fix. Your cat might choose to urinate somewhere else if his or her issues are still unsolved.
• Be patient with your cat. Dealing with cat accidents are frustrating, but yelling at or harshly disciplining your cat can make it worse. Remain patient and be sure to praise your cat when you see he or she using the litter box.

While the process is sometimes frustrating, knowing why cats sometimes avoid the box as well as how to clean their accidents can be helpful. It takes time, but the end result after working with your cat and vet will be well worth it.