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My Cat Pees Outside its Litter – What Should I Do?

Oh-oh. Is Nacho doing his business outside his litter box? Before you give him a stern talking to, know that this is a common problem among cats. In fact, we get asked how to remove cat pee smell ALL. THE. TIME. Read on for tips on how to prevent your cat from peeing all over the place and how you can stop your house from reeking of cat urine.

Why is my cat peeing outside his litter box?

We asked Daniel Fillion, feline behavior consultant at EduCATor, why a cat might pee outside its litter box. It turns out that there can be lots of reasons, but the two main ones are anxiety and the cat’s environment. This can be anything from a new guest, a new house or a new daily routine.

Could your cat’s not wanting to pee in the litter box be health-related?

Sometimes a health problem is behind the cat relieving itself outside the litter box. If in doubt, consult your veterinarian. And once you’ve eliminated this possibility, don’t punish your cat! Chances are it won’t understand why it's being punished, and if your cat is suffering from anxiety, this might only create even more anxiety, making the peeing problem worse.

Litter box dos and don’ts

Sometimes the litter box itself is the source of the problem.

DO
DON’T
  • Always have as many litter boxes as cats, plus one (e.g. if you have two cats, you need to have three litter trays.)
  • Use a flat litter box without a cover (cats want to monitor their surroundings at all times).
  • Clean the litter box every single day.
  • Add the right amount of litter; 1-2 inches is enough.
  • Put multiple litter boxes in the same room.
  • Put litter trays in a busy area of the house
  • Put litter trays in an isolated corner where your cat never goes.
  • Put the litter tray near the cat’s feeding area.
  • Let other animals pick at the cat while it’s in the litter box.

What should I do when my cat pees outside its litter box?

It can sometimes take a while to get to the bottom of your cat’s peeing problem and actually resolve it. Until then, hang in there and follow these 3 recommendations:

Every time your cat urinates outside of its litter box, clean it up as quickly as possible. When cats urinate, they release a pheromone that can incite it or another cat to relieve itself on that same spot.

Use a safe and proven cat urine remover like Purodora Urine Odor Neutralizer to completely eliminate the cat pee smell from your home (see recommendations below).

If your cat keeps peeing in the same spot, consider temporarily putting a litter box at that exact spot. If needed, you can slowly inch it over to a location that’s more convenient.

What’s the best cat urine remover?

We recommend Purodora Urine Odor Neutralizer. Here’s why:

  • #1 pet urine remover of pet owners
  • Neutralizes the smell of animal pee on any surface
  • Alcohol-based, so won’t damage surfaces; unlike water-based urine odor neutralizers
  • Safe to use on concrete, wood, ceramic, carpets, mattresses, upholstery & more

3 ways to use Purodora Urine Odor Neutralizer:

1. Spray it – Ideal for removing cat urine smell from clothing and low-pile carpeting.

  • Simply spray the product 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) from the affected surface.
  • If the surface is machine washable: Leave product on for 10-15 minutes when wash in the washing machine with regular laundry detergent.
  • If the surface is NOT machine washable: Allow product to air dry. No need to rinse.
  • If needed, repeat the treatment.

Squirt bottle

2. Squirt it – Ideal for when you need to get rid of cat pee smell lodged between the planks of a wood floor, or from the porous grout on a ceramic floor.

  • Transfer the product to a squirt bottle (such as an empty ketchup bottle) and carefully squirt a generous amount directly on the area to be treated.
  • Immediately remove any excess product with a clean cloth and allow the surface to air dry. No need to rinse.

3. Inject it – Ideal for reaching between tightly set wood planks, or when you need to get rid of a pee smell on a mattress, sofa or very thick carpet.

Syringe

  • Insert the product into a syringe with needle.
  • Locate the area impregnated with pee and use a string to mark a circle around it (add an extra 4 to 5 inches (10 to 12 cm) all around, in case the urine has spread).
  • Inject 1 tsp (5 ml) of product directly into carpet, mattress or cushion fabric. Inject the product every inch (2.5 cm) within the circle. Start at the outer edge of the circle and work your way in toward the center.
  • Next, spray the product directly on the surface; it will seep into the material.
  • Allow surface and inside of cushion/mattress/carpet to air dry. No rinsing required.

If the first treatment with Purodora Urine Odor Neutralizer does not work, it means the product didn’t come into contact with all of the urine. In this case, simply repeat the treatment.

Pro Tip

What to do if Purodora Urine Odor Neutralizer leaves a dark ring on fabrics

Alcohol-based products like Purodora Urine Odor Neutralizer can leave a dark ring on some colored fabrics where the dye has not set properly. No need to worry! Simply rub the fabric with a damp cloth and the stain will immediately disappear.

Don’t let a little cat pee cramp your lifestyle

There’s no mistaking – or ignoring – the smell of cat urine. Even if your cat has never urinated outside of its litter box before, it can be a good idea to keep a bottle of Purodora Urine Odor Neutralizer on hand, just in case. That way, if your cat suddenly decides to relieve herself on your kitchen floor or brand-new sofa, you won’t be embarrassed to invite other people into your home – and you’ll be able to salvage the surfaces that have been urinated on.

Solutions for all your odor problems

Purodora has safe and effective solutions for ALL your odor problems. Have a question about our products? Write to us or give us a call. We’re always here to help!

Purodora odor neutralizers are available online and at many pet supply stores. Check out our Find Us section to find the retailer nearest you.

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