Why Does My Cat Pee on the Floor? 7 Vet-Reviewed Reasons & Care Tips

While it is annoying to have your cat pee on the floor in your house, it is not entirely unheard of. Many things can cause a cat to do this, and identifying the cause of this behavior is necessary in order to begin working on fixing it.

There are medical and behavioral causes of this behavior, and it’s important to begin working toward identifying the cause before working on a fix. Some causes can indicate serious issues that require rapid intervention and care to cure. If your cat keeps peeing on the floor then read on for the potential reasons and what you can do to solve this.

The 7 Possible Reasons Your Cat Keeps Peeing on the Floor

1. Lingering Urine Smell

If a cat in your home has a history of urinating outside of the litter box, this can lead to further inappropriate urination if the urine is not cleaned properly. Cat urine can leave behind a potent smell, and cats are able to smell it even after it has been cleaned with most cleaning products. This can cause your cat to either think this particular spot is an appropriate place to pee or cause them to feel the need to mark their territory over the old stain.

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2. Litter Box Issues

Cats can be very particular about their litter box, and for some cats, some environmental changes can lead to them refusing to use the litter box. This can be as simple as changing the type of litter or the box itself for a new one. Sometimes, when cats have medical conditions that make using the litter box uncomfortable, they may begin urinating or defecating inappropriately. This is because the litter box becomes associated with pain or discomfort, and in their cat brain, going elsewhere might take away some discomfort.

3. Lack of Access

If your cat can’t physically access their litter box in time, it might lead to accidents on the floor at times. This is sometimes seen in houses with multiple floors, and a litter box on only one level. A cat new to such a house might sometimes not be able to make it to the litter box in time.

4. Litter Box Disagreements

If you have multiple cats, one or both of them may begin peeing on the floor due to a disagreement over the litter box. If one of your cats is showing territorial behaviors surrounding the litter box, it may lead the other cat to look for another place to urinate. Territorial behaviors like this are more common when one cat is new to the home, but sometimes they can develop suddenly as well.

5. Reduced Mobility

As cats age, they may begin developing arthritis and other conditions that can lead to reduced mobility. This can lead to inappropriate urination if your cat is having difficulty getting into and out of the litter box. If your cat is experiencing reduced mobility, you may also see them having difficulty jumping to or from high surfaces and furniture and spending less time being up and moving around throughout the day.

6. Cognitive Decline

Some cats may experience cognitive changes (akin to dementia) as they age, which can lead to inappropriate urination. Some cats may forget where the litter box is or how to properly use it, while others may lose the ability to determine when they are urinating. Sudden episodes of apparent dementia are not a normal part of aging for most cats and require veterinary attention.

7. Medical Causes

There are a large number of medical reasons a cat may start peeing on the floor. These include, but are not limited to: issues with the reproductive tract (especially in intact females), kidney diseases, other feline lower urinary tract diseases (including UTIs), diabetes, and cancer.

Conclusion

There are several medical and behavioral reasons your cat may be peeing on the floor, and some cats may be experiencing multiple types of issues that are all leading to the behavior. The best starting point is always a vet visit to rule out any medical causes of the behavior and to ensure your cat gets the appropriate treatment needed for the cause.

• Also see: Cat Spraying vs Peeing: Main Differences (With Infographic)

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