Cats are truly some of the most loving and delightful creatures to bring home as your pet.
They are incredibly fun to be around, soft to cuddle with, and give us endless love.
However, cats definitely have a mind of their own and will show you when they are displeased through unwanted behavior.
One of these is peeing in the wrong place, like the bathroom rug.
Let’s discover why cats pee on the bathroom rug and what you can do to stop this behavior.
Why Do Cats Pee on the Bathroom Rug?
Here are some of the main reasons why cats end up peeing on the bathroom rug.
You might notice this behavior in a new cat, or even one who has been with you for years and used the litter box perfectly.
To Mark Their Territory
Cats are territorial creatures, and they do not enjoy sharing their space, not even with other cats.
If your cat has started peeing on the bathroom rug recently, it could be because it feels threatened.
This is a common occurrence when people bring in new pets or even other people into the house.
Cats mark their territory by spraying small amounts of pee onto vertical surfaces. This does this to show the newcomer that the rug and possibly even the bathroom are theirs.
You should be sure to discourage this behavior from day one. If left to their own devices, your cats will keep doing this, and it can become a habit sooner than you’d think.
Because They Aren’t Fixed
An unneutered or unspayed cat is bound to spray a lot more frequently than a fixed cat.
This is because unfixed cats are more territorial, and they show other cats that the rug is theirs.
This is particularly common in unneutered male cats, but even female cats spray occasionally.
The best way to handle this problem is by getting your cat fixed ASAP.
This only reduces the chances of it peeing on the rug but also reduces the chances of your pet developing different diseases.
Due to Behavior Problems
Peeing where it is not supposed to could be the result of a behavior problem.
You should consider this if you have ruled out medical problems and have a fixed cat.
Some cats simply do not like to listen to their owners and follow their training. This causes them to act out in different ways, like peeing on the bathroom rug.
Your cat could also be expressing its displeasure at something else. You should check to see if something has changed within its regular environment.
Behavioral problems can be more difficult to handle as compared to medical issues. This is because cats tend to be stubborn animals.
However, keep using positive reinforcement, and your cat will eventually listen to your litter training!
Unclean Litter Box
Cats are hygienic animals that tend to be quite careful about their cleanliness. That is why your cat spends hours licking itself thoroughly each day.
So, with such an obsession with cleanliness, what will your cat do if its litter box is left unclean? It will simply head off to your bathroom rug and pee there instead of its box.
Cats commonly pee in places where they aren’t supposed to because their litter box has been left dirty for too long.
Due to Medical Issues
The biggest reason why cats pee anywhere outside of their letterboxes’ is because of a bladder infection.
If your otherwise well-behaved cat is peeing in random areas, you should be worried about it having a possible medical issue.
Your cat could also have a urinary blockage or other kinds of infections.
Peeing in different spots is also a symptom if your cat is experiencing pain while urinating. This happens because of FLUTD, which is when the urinary tract becomes inflamed.
Since cats aren’t the best at expressing themselves when they aren’t feeling well, they instead show it to their humans.
They do this through a sudden change in their usual behavior, so be on high alert.
How to Stop Cats from Peeing on the Bathroom Rug?
You now know of the most common reasons why cats pee on the bathroom rug.
Let’s see what you can do to discourage and eventually stop this unwanted behavior.
Schedule a Checkup
The very first thing you should know is to schedule a vet checkup for your cat.
Cats tend to hide away any pain they might be experiencing. It is instead expressed through unwanted or even aggressive behavior.
Therefore, you should be extremely attentive to your cat’s behavior. Get it medically checked whenever you notice your cat not being quite like itself.
Studies have shown that urine marking in random spots is often a sign of a urogenital condition. Almost 38% of such peeing incidents end up being signs of this illness.
Tell your vet about the rug peeing problem and ensure that they run some tests.
Your vet should go a CBC, urinalysis, urine culture, and imaging to rule out any medical problems.
Block Access to the Rug
Since your cat seems to believe its new peeing place is the bathroom rug, you can simply block access to it.
This works well for cats that previously used the litter box but decided to change their designated peeing place for no apparent reason.
If the vet checkup has come out clear and your cat is just acting out for no reason, try this method.
Keep the doors leading to the bathroom rug shut to ensure your cat can’t reach it when it wants to pee.
You can also make the rug unpleasant for it. This is also an effective way of stopping your cat from peeing on the rug.
Simply spray the rug with some citrus scents, and your cat will probably stay away!
Another way to make the rug unpleasant is by sticking double-sided tape on it. When your cat’s paws get stuck on the tape, it won’t try to return to the rug.
Fix the Litter Box
One of the most important things to do when discouraging your cat from peeing on the rug is fixing the litter box.
It is highly likely that your cat no longer likes its litter situation. That could be why it is choosing to pee on the bathroom rug.
Therefore, you should carefully consider all of the factors needed in choosing the right litter box for your pet.
Make sure it is big enough for your cat and cleaned at least once a day.
You should also ensure that the litter used inside the box is right. Cats prefer having an unscented, fine-textured litter in their litter box.
Also, the box should be filled with around 2 inches of litter.
After making the necessary changes to the litter box, try placing it over the bathroom rug. This will encourage your cat to pee in it.
Eventually, you can move the box back to its initial space. Your cat is likely to start using the litter box regularly.
Get Rid of Any Stressors
If your vet gives you a clean bill of health, then the chance is that your cat is experiencing psychological issues.
This could be due to a change in its environment or other factors causing your cat’s stress.
Cats need a safe and gentle environment to live with fulfillment. So, you should get to work on determining what is causing your cats this stress.
Once you’ve identified the source of stress, you can then do your best to ensure your cat is no longer exposed to it.
If it isn’t possible to limit exposure, you can opt for other ways to keep your cat fulfilled.
Scratching posts, cat trees, interactive games, and window access all help cats feel better and more relaxed.
Positive Reinforcement
Finally, the last thing you should remember is that your cat does not understand frustration or anger. So, scolding it or getting angry will do you no good.
Your cat will just be confused and stressed out, which might even make the rug peeing worse.
Instead, a better way to handle this problem is through positive reinforcement.
Positive reinforcement is a highly valuable tool to improve your bond with your cat. It helps in tackling any behavior problems and increases the chances of the cat picking up your training.
You should start by changing its association to the bathroom completely. Offer your cat its favorite treats and play with them near or over the bathroom rug.
It will quickly realize that this is an eating and playing spot, not the bathroom place.
You should also try carrying your cat to its litter box half an hour after each meal.
This will reintroduce it to the litter box and encourage it to pee or poop inside instead of on the bathroom rug.
Remember, positive reinforcement is the best way to train your cat. It works, not just to get it to stop peeing on the bathroom rug but also if you want to teach it new tricks!
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