Ask the AKC Animal Behaviorist: Help! My Cat Is Peeing All Over the House

Please, please, please, take the cats to the vet. It is VERY unusual for cats to go to the bathroom outside their litterbox. Cats are THE most clean and particular animals.

IF a urinary tract infection is ruled out (the vet takes a urine sample and tests for bacteria, blood, etc.), then you must address the fact that the NEW poodle and/or kitten may be preventing your existing cats from going to the bathroom in their litterboxes uninterupted.

Sometimes a new addition to the family (usually a dog) will bother cats when they are trying to go in their litterbox, sometimes aggressively.

Trust me, I have cats and have read extensively about their behaviors and any expert will tell you that cats are CLEAN and fastidious about using their litterboxes, so the reason is either a urinary infection or a new animal that is bothering them around their litterboxes.

I agree about taking your cat to the vet. Something similar happened with my cat and I thought he was just ticked off at me because I had been travelling. By the time he started showing other signs of illness he was very, very, very sick. I was able to have him treated successfully, but felt horrible when I found out that his behavior was the clue. Unfortunately, cat's do not show illness very much early on except in changed behavior patterns. All to often, we try to humanize their behavior and don't realize that there may be a physiological factor. If it is an infection, early detection could save their life.

While stress of change and/or other animals can cause unusual behavior, it can also cause a compromised immune system in animals, just like in humans.

Someone threw out a very pregnant mommy cat that I rescued and she had her kittens on my back porch. Mommy had her kittens and I decided to keep them all and have them spayed and neutered. Mommy trained her kittens to the litter box but one just refused to get in it. In the end I put papers near the box which she always uses and has never gone anywhere else but for some reason this cat does not like the feel of the litter on her feet or for some other reason she just won't use it. As I said she has never gone anywhere else and I change the papers as soon as she uses them but besides getting rid of her (no one else would most likely put up with it) there isn't much else I can do. As long as she continues to use her papers we are good. It's been nine years without any accidents anywhere else so I guess I have to say she is paper trained. The vet said other then that there is nothing wrong with her and he said this isn't the first cat that won't get in a litter box but some people find that putting shedded paper in a litter box will also work.

There is also a cat litter called Cat attract, Petsmart carries it I swear by this stuff. I have an older cat that started doing this, I got this litter and it drew him back to the litter box and have not had the problem since. Also, if the litter is a covered box try using it without the cover, the smell's got trapped in there and the cat's are clean animals normally the smell in a covered box with turn them off. I also tried a bigger box since the cat I have that started having the same problem your's is, is a 22 LB cat the box I was using was to small. Try one or all of these thing's, one is bound to work I was on the verge of taking my guy back to the shelter because of the problem but did these thing's and I didn't have thank god cause I love him to death, I love the other 3 I have as well. I hope this helps.

you made a big booboo by adding a poodle and kitten within a short period....What was "territory" for the first to cats has been invaded.....they were there first.You need to make sure they have litter boxes on all levels of your house and easy to get to.Maybe they don't want to cross a hallway to get to the litter?Does the dog chase them everytime they move?If the peeing started around the time you got the new animals it also could be a urinary infection....most cats will adjust to a baby kitten...its the dog I have a funny feeling is the problem.....I hope you are not one of those people that get puppies and kittens ,then when they grow up you get rid of them............work hard to find out what is wrong and make amends..........they were there first.....

This comment is for Dave:

Dave, as a rescurer of cats myself I have some advice. Forst, you should have several litter boxes. You should have at least one for every two cats. Some cats are pickier about the cleanliness of their litter boxes. If your one cat is using the paper outside of the box, its not that she doesn't know where to go, she is just not a fan of the box itself. Second, if you think it is indeed the feel of the litter why not try changing the type of litter in a separate box for her. Try Feline Pine or Yesterdays News...both pellet types of litter that will have a different feel on her feet. I hope this is helpful.

If its both cats...i bet the dog is pestering them...but get them checked for urinary tract infection....clean the pee area with a cleaner that neutralizes the urine and get "cat attract" litter at the pet store...they will like it...also spray a calming agent from the doctor or pet store called 'feliway"....if a male cat gets a urinary blockage they can die..............

Please take the cat to the vet. Generally if a cat goes out of the box, but near it, it could possibly be a medical problem - cats with kidney problems and such have a hard time in the "scrunching" position and opt to go outside, but as close as they can. They may be in pain and simply cannot assume the position. A solution to that is obviously a trip to the vet, but invest in a larger litter box. For my cat with kidney failure, I'd made him a large box out of cardboard and lined it with large garbage bags. However, since then, they've now started to make bigger boxes specifically for the above reason.

As a cat ages, he may also become more sensitive to the smells of a litter box that's not been cleaned, so perhaps a daily regimen of cleaning the box might be needed, or one of those that clean themselves if that's feasible.

The cat may also simply not care for the scent or feel of the litter. Many don't like the different options available out there now - try unscented, clay, the "Daily News or Mews" (made out of newspaper) or one made from pine, the crystals, or something like that.

If the cat urinates far away from the box, it's generally a behavioral issue, and he's objecting to something and trying to get your attention. Perhaps he needs more privacy with his box - try getting one of the covered ones. Good luck.

Well, a main reason a male cat pees or marks his territory is that he is not neutered. Be sure your cats are spayed, neutered, and do not have bladder infections. A bladder infection in a cat is very painful and they begin to associate the litter box with pain; thus, refusing to use it.

It's ok. Joe just needs some attention. He's probably making it up. If he's not, he's simply another one of those people intimidated by cats.

Since most animals have a better ability to smell/detect than humans do go and buy a "black light" (a local Spencer's store is a good place to start, if you can stand all of the porn) and when the house/area is COMPLETELY DARK turn it on and you will see many surprising things, including the areas where urine scents are still active (they actually seem to "glow" with a green or yellow tint). Regardless, you will know it when you see it. ONLY use a product that is an ENZYME based product, do NOT use cover-up type chemicals as they only tend to damage the wood/carpet/product area and may cause mold due to your thinking that overspraying will solve your problem. Follow the directions of the ENZYME based product, which will probably tell you to saturate the area so the enzymes can seek out the bacteria and "eat" them. Again, I have saturated an area, waited for a period of time, then put a fan on the area to try to dry out any possible extra liquid. AGAIN, after you have completed this task, REPEAT the black light process and, if you have the hutzpa, even get down to the area and smell around -- if YOU can smell it then you know the animal can too. Finally, when I have discovered FRESH urine on carpet areas I immediately put LARGE AMOUNTS OF SALT on the area - this is good for any animal urine problem. MAKE SURE THE SALT IS THICK, DON'T JUST "DUST" THE AREA. LET THE SALT PILE SIT UNTIL IT CAKES - this could take a day. If, after a day, you see the salt is still moist then SCRAPE up the salt mound and put a new mound on it. The salt will "draw" the moisture from the area, particularly when you are dealing with fiberous and/or jute backed areas. After you are satisfied that the salt has "trapped" all of the urine then use the black light to finalize the treatment. Do not just put paper towels on a urine spot and step on it to speed up any MINOR soaking of the puddle -- the urine is now on the bottom of your foot and will be spread everywhere you walk until it dries off of your shoe sole. If you have a large puddle to START with then BLOT it up with paper towels, then use the LARGE AMOUNT OF SALT, then the black light treatment. I have used this for years and it works quite well and usually ends the animal's quest to find an area other then their litter box or being let outdoors.
FINALLY -- Rubbing an animal's nose in something is STUPID AND HAS NO VALUE!!!! Using a FIRM AND STERN VOICE is the answer to animal control -- touching the animal is stupid and an expression of your own frustration that may cause you/the animal more harm than good.

I swear that ever since they have forced ALL of these vaccines on cats, many people are experiencind this problem.
I have found these plug-Ins called "Comfort Zone with feliway" When I used them (Especially in rooms where they hit), they stop!!! When I run out, they start up again!!!
I guess there is something in it "Comforting"
Other that that, I have made them outdoor cats once Spring comes. I know some people think that is cruel but cats were never meant to be so domesticated!!! And, they never roam too far. I keep garage open 8-10 inches so that they can run in for shelter if they need it (Only they love to sleep on car-many footprints.) It is much less cruel than getting rid of them!!!

After a lifetime of cats, I'm DONE. We took in two relatve's cats, and they have not stopped pissing everywhere. No infections, not diseases, just determined to go anywhere BUT the box. This includes defecating. Under windows, on top of my brand new dryer (and down INTO the lint trap!), in my son's TOYBOXES. They have destroyed the carpet in downstairs, and the entire house reeks. The cats are now OUTSIDE, and there won't be any more cats. When our two die of old age, that's it for me and cats. I will never go through this again--beloved photos, scrapbooks, clothing, all ruined by these animals.

And before I get a bunch of, "Oh, you just don't understand cats," know that I've had cats for over 40 years. But the past year-and-a-half of having my home destroyed has broken me of the cat habit. I'll be happy to pet and cuddle OTHER PEOPLE'S CATS at THEIR houses. But no more for me.

I don't understand why anyone would first consider getting "rid" of their old animals instead of finding new homes for the recently acquired pets if the problem of house-soiling continues past a couple weeks.

I previously owned two males cats before bringing home a golden-chow puppy. My oldest cat didn't like the new addition, but he had been around dogs before so he quickly adapted. The youngest had never even SEEN a dog before, so he freaked out and hid under a recliner in the basement. He wouldn't even come out to pee, so there was a nice pee puddle where he urinated for a few days. After a week, he would come out of the recliner but not the basement. He continued to pee around the basement (which I bleached, febreezed, and carpet cleaned). After 2-3 weeks, he understood the dog wasn't going to eat him, and we all now live happily ever after - without house-soiling. However, if my cat wouldn't have stopped peeing, I would have found a new home for the puppy, not the cat. The puppy was the newest addition to the family, and I know from experience that it is MUCH easier to find a new home for a cute puppy than for a full-grown cat. There are hundreds of full-grown cats at the local shelter I volunteer for and I couldn't have said goodbye to one of my best furry friends and drop him off among hundreds of his peers - all of them hoping beyond hope to get adopted again.

I truly hope and pray that everyone will give their cats some much needed time and patience before choosing to give them away - material goods can always be cleaned or replaced. Seek your veterinarian's advice and/or reach out to your local shelter - many shelters offer behavioral advice for free! ;)

Good luck!

When my sixteen year old started to urinate on the carpet I took him to the vet. He had crystals in his urine and further testing showed him in kidney failure. He died within a month after diagnosis.

Have your cats check for Diabetes.
Cats are hily subjected to this condition and that is when they loose controll of their blader.
I have had 2 cats in the past that had this condition

This type of behavior can be cured easily by steps: Step one: pick up cat. Step two: walk to door. Step three: open door. Step four: put cat outside along with food and water dish Step five: shut door. If cats were intended to live indoors, they (a) wouldn't crap in sand and (b) have opposable thumbs so they could open doors.

We HAD a cat. I emphasize HAD because she began peeing all over our house after we had our 2 baby boys, about one year apart. She couldn't handle the change. We tried everything, here is a list of what we tried:

#1-test for urinary tract infection(twice, no infection)
#2-overall health test(cleared by the vets, two different vets)
#3- extra litter box with the same litter(in a more convenient location)
#4-cleaned both boxes twice a day(morning and evening)
#5-locked her in our laundry room and had our carpet professionally steam cleaned(still very slight odor in carpet where she was peeing)
#6-slowly allowed her access to the rest of the house, added one room per day......still as soon as she got to the spots she marked before, she started peeing again.

The only thing left to do was replace all the carpet and padding in my house, NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. My house is two years old, so bye-bye kitty!

I have cats that are doing this as well. Took them to the vet and nothing wrong. She suggested Prozac. Got a prescription for it. Only 4 dollars. You might want to give it a try. My vet says she has seen a lot of success with it. Can't hurt to try it at this point. It takes about a month to see if it will work. I'm not at the month mark yet. Good Luck. Started mine off with a half tablet everyday. If you have trouble pilling your cat they have pill poppers that might help.