Prevent cats peeing on the carpet

Question

My cats have acquired the habit of peering on my carpet. I have a deordorizor I use after the fact but I want to prevent the whole thing. Any ideas?

Joan Whitcomb Thompson · Answer

Removing cat urine smell is almost impossible (to them). My thought (having been thru this) is something is wrong regarding litter boxes. Try a different brand of litter (I have one that will only use clay litter after years of using clumping). Also, there should be one box for each cat, plus one. It worked for me.

Christine · Answer

Big problem. Once they pee there, they can smell it and will return. The urine will go through the carpet into the underpad, and even if you clean the carpet the smell will still be there. The only way to remove it is to use enzymes. Here is an article that might help. http://www.hometalk.com/diy/the-5-worst-spots-for-pet-stains-and-how-to-clean-them-8378313?se=fol_new-20150510&utm_medium=email&utm_source=fol_new&date=20150510 So under the topic of prevention, you need to physically exclude the cat from the area. If it's just a small area, put an upside down laundry basket over it and leave it there for weeks. This will help break the habit of peeing there. It it's a large area you can cover it with a plastic runner. Otherwise, close the doors and don't let the cat in that room.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

See if this will help you with the situation. www.animalplanet.com/pets/how-to-stop-your-cat-from-peeing-in-the-house/

Carole · Answer

You need to find out why they are doing this. Each cat needs its own litter tray and litter that they are happy to use. Have you recently changed the litter type? Also the health of the cats may be the cause. If they have kidney or bladder infection or are generally unwell or getting on in years this can be the cause for them suddenly not using the litter tray. A trip to the vet to get them checked out would be advisable. I volunteer at an animal shelter and someone gave their cat up because it peed outside the litter box. The reason turned out to be it was unwell. It had a kidney infection. Had the owner taken it to the vet she may have fixed the problem and not needed to surrender her poor cat. I also agree that once they pee there they can smell it and if the other cats pee they will do it again. It can also be territory marking. Have you introduced another cat into the household? One cat may pee to mark territory, then another marks over it so the first cat will mark again to claim back its territory. Are the cats desexed? Hope you get to the cause of it so you can fix it and prevent it occurring. Good luck.

Nita · Answer

In the mean time, after you clean up as much as possible pour baking soda on the spot , leave it there for a day or so till it drys then more baking soda for another day vacuum up. Also make sure to keep the liter box very clean, and as has been said take the cat to the vet to check for med issues.

Brytiz · Answer

I have taken 2 large short sided storage boxes and filled 1/2 way with litter. If there is not enough litter or the box need to be cleaned, they will seek elase where to go. Also, if there has been a previous cat living in the home, that could trigger it also. To remove the odor, buy ODOBAN, eucalyptus scent. You can spray it on full strength or slightly dilute. Spray heavily, the odor will be gone. It also works with male cat spray around the exterior of the home, do not use on plants only on the building products.

861650 · Answer

First, Carol is right and I want to add one more item. My cat never peed on the carpet. One day, a dog chased her up a tree. After the incident she began peeing on the carpet in the same spot. Took the litter box and set it on top of the spot (after cleaning). Each day after that I would move the litter box a few inches (headed toward the door). By the time the litter box got almost to the door, my cat was using the box and going outside to pee as well. Never peed on the spot again. I found this information while searching on the computer. Last, my cat had a easy-going and laid back personality and nothing ever bothered her very much so if an animal is badly frightened or tramatized (sp), their behavior can change.

Cindi · Answer

I had 10 cats, 2 died from old age, and only had one who ever had an accident, on my mattress, when I took in this new cat, who terrorized her, so one look at her and she'd pee, out of fear, since she was so timid, and my new cat was a bully. I have a trilevel house, with basement, and use those long under the bed storage boxes for littler boxes, one upstairs in a spare room closet, and one in the laundry room, along with a smaller one. It seems to work for them all. I use Tidy Cat litter, and scoop it out once a day, sometime twice if they use one more than the other. As for the mattress, it reeked, so I went to Petsmart and got Nature's Miracle for cats. I've used it for dog 'accidents', but this is the only time I needed it for a cat. I poured it full strength on the mattress, and a week later, I couldn't smell a thing, no matter how close I got to the mattress. It did leave a ring when it dried, but no smell, which is what I cared about. I agree that you have to investigate a little as to why they do it, sometimes it's a physical thing, or new litter, new cat, etc., but I swear by Nature's Miracle to take out the odor.

Dfm · Answer

each of my cats have 2 litter boxes....freddy will poop in one and pee in the other....it also gives the litter a chance to absorb the waste and dry out. i also keep a box on each level of the house for 'emergencies'. some cats are very picky about the litter....mine wont use clumping/ even after i snuck it in....ie blended the litter to make a gradual transition. you cats may be having a turf war.....as in this is my space.....i marked it! or i have a bladder irritation....i gotta go.....the cat in the window scares me...something has changed.....even a change in food could do it.

Michelle Leslie · Answer

Hi Joana, you'll have to give your carpets a really deep clean to prevent your purr babies from doing it again. Your best bet is to use a cleaning product that's made specifically for pet odors and urine that will break down the uric acid. We use F10 but I believe it's only available in South Africa. Looking online I found OudorMute which has great reviews - https://www.amazon.com/Odormute-Dog-Odor-Eliminator-15-Ounce/dp/B003ZU0BYM. You can also look for citronella incense sticks or room spray and use that to stop them from coming into the room. Our cats hate the smell.

Deb K · Answer

Hi Johana, hope this helps you out.

https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/top-10-ways-stop-your-cat-peeing-outside-litter-box

By cleaning the area thoroughly. Once the cat can no longer smell the pee from before, he or she should stop urinating there. Finding an enzymatic cleaning solutionOpens a new window for the carpet will help get rid of the smell for good.

Cyrus Juliet · Answer

Any places the cat may have urinated should be thoroughly cleaned. Remove the smell with an enzymatic cleaner made especially for pet odors. If cats can still smell their own pee, they might be drawn to the same location.

Redcatcec · Answer

Thoroughly clean the spot(s) where they pee, baking soda is absorbent. then as that is going on take kitty in for a check-u and rule out disease. Hopefully all is ok.

Cats also react to major changes in their world, if they see a dog, another cat, or a critter outside, they may resort to this behavior. You'll have to play detective to figure this out.

I like the idea of putting the litter box on the spot, and then slowly move it out if the way.

Deb K · Answer

Hi Johana, hope this helps you. Enzyme-based cleaners are best for recurring issues, since they eliminate the odor and discourage the cat from re-marking that territory. While you're training your cat and changing their behavior, you may also use home-solutions like aluminum foil or double-sided tape on the rug's surface.

Prevent cats peeing on the carpet

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Prevent cats peeing on the carpet

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