It's not unusual for your cat to pee outside their litter tray. There are multiple reasons as to why your cat is doing this, with not all of them being so obvious.
However, if this turns into a regular occurence as opposed to a one-off, then this could mean there's a problem with your cat. Whether it be medical or emotional, it's necessary to understand why your cat is acting this way.
In this article, we'll tell you the different reasons behind why your cat might be peeing everywhere, as well as some solutions to put an end to it.
How do you tell the difference between a cat peeing outside their litter, or a cat simply marking their territory. Simply try to observe your cat when they pee outside the designated area. If they are seeking to mark their territory, there's a big chance that they'll emit a jet of about 20cm from the ground, onto a vertical surface.
This behaviour is mostly seen in non-castrated cats. If this is the case for yours, maybe think about getting them castrated. If your cat is already castrated, consider investing in a pheromone diffuser that helps calm down anxious cats, most often stressed by territorial conflicts.
In fact, even if they're castrated, if your cat faces a new arrival at the house, such as a kitten for example, they will not hesitate to mark their territory to show that they were there first.
If your cat suddenly starts to urinate all over your house, this could be because they have no other option. Two scenarios are possible:
Source : Cat Apart
It is possible that your cat doesn't like their litter and alerts you to this by peeing outside of it. There are many different reasons for this: the litter has a roof that makes it difficult for them to get in, it's not in a suitable place, or it's dirty, etc.
As a reminder, here are the essentials for a clean and welcoming litter tray for your cat:
If your cat categorically refuses to pee in their litter, or if this is a regular occurence, then it may be necessary to re-train them. If they have been badly weaned or if their human hasn't taught them how to correctly use the litter when they're a kitten, then it's normal that they're confused as an adult.
In this case, and only after dismissing all other possibilities, don't punish your cat as this could only make things worse. Instead, bring them to their litter immediately after they have urinated else where. This way, they will understand that this is where they should pee.
Lastly, if your cat pees outside their litter, it can be a sign of anxiety. They're showing you that they don't feel well and need your attention.
If this is the case, don't hesitate to play more with them, cuddle them and offer them treats such as fruit, vegetables or even honey.
You can also invest in a pheromone diffuser, which is very useful in calming down anxious cats.