How to Avoid Cat Urine in your House

Millions of people today are cat lovers, but what you may not love is the option of cat urine all over your house. Although this is more common with male cats, it can happen with any cats which may not be trained properly. Cat behavioural problems can seem hard to deal with because many people do not realize that cats can be trained just as easily as dogs if using the proper techniques. Many cats spray and urine in your home for two different reasons, physiological reasons and of course marketing their territory.

It is important to understand the reasons why cats urine in the house and it is not out of spite or anger like you may be prone to think! Let’s first go through the difference of urinating outside the litter box and spraying. Plain urination outside of the box is generally done on a flat surface, whether it is one the floor, a bath mat, carpet, etc. When spraying occurs this is generally done in a vertical way.

Why Do Cats Urinate?

Understanding why cats spray could help you eliminate this type of behaviour in your cat permanently. It is basically a combination of social, sexual and territorial behaviour and can happen with male or female cats alike don’t let myths fool you that female cats never spray. For male cats this type of behaviour generally comes forth when they reach sexually maturity and if they are not altered physically than spraying can become a regular territorial problem you will have to deal with. In regards to female cats spraying can occur when they are in heat.

For those cat owners out there today who may have already had their cats neutered, it is important that you have done so before they have reached their sexual maturity because if you wait too long they may have already gotten into the habit of spraying. Many people believe that once your cat has been neutered their spraying days are over, but this is not the case. If you waited too long to have your cat neutered they can still continue spraying urine throughout your home.

Many cat owners have found that this type of territorial cat urinating problem occurs when your cat experiences some form of anxiety. For example if you move to a new home, add a new cat to your home or simply have too many cats in one environment. Your cat will spray their urine when they feel stressed and these are different types of situations which can cause this type of annual stress.

How to Control Cat Urination?

Now that you have a better understanding why cats urine or spray their urine throughout your home, it is time to learn how to control this type of behaviour. Of course, the most effective way to stop spraying is to have your tomcat neutered, this is 90% effective for all male cats. Secondly, you want to make sure that you are keeping up with proper litter box maintenance to avoid this type of urine throughout the home. It is important to consider the location of the litter box, the type of litter being used, how often you clean it and whether you choose to use litter box liners, etc. All of these details can make a difference in how your cat feels about his box and territory within your home. Literally where you decide to place your cat’s litter box you are creating their space within your home. By keeping their litter box consistently clean and using mild or non-scented soaps when you wash can really help with the cat urine problems throughout your home.

Changes in your cat’s routine or daily life can cause spraying or unwanted and random urine throughout your home. By doing what you can to maintain a regular routine for your cat you can help avoid any unwanted stress or anxiety for your cat and therefore the spraying. Lastly, it is important to mention that although many people enjoy having cats because they are self contained animals it is extremely important to make sure that you give your cats enough attention. You want to make sure to play with them, massage them and pet them as often as you can.

How to Clean Cat Urine?

Removing cat urine from your home is the most important and urgent thing you can do. What you need to know is that when a cat urinates or sprays throughout your home they will want to spray or urine again and again on the same place if it is not cleaned properly and they can still smell it. The carpet is the most common location for cat urine because when this type of accident happens it is almost never on an easy to clean surface.

First you want to blot up as much as the urine as possible with a soft and dry towel or rag. Press down firmly for about 30seconds but do not rub. It is important to get to this urine when it is fresh; this gives you the better odds of success for getting it out. Continue to repeat this process until it is fully dried. From here you have several options when it comes to the type of cleaning solutions you choose to rely on.

Baking soda and white vinegar are two time tested solutions that are proven to remove not only the cat urine stain from your carpet but the smell as well which will help prevent continuous spraying in this area. If you do not want to try these solutions, there are dozens of different carpet cleaners on the market today which specialize in cat urine and hairballs. No matter which form of cleaning solution you choose to use, when the area is clean and dry it is important to spray the area with a pet odour neutralizer which can be found in virtually any pet store. This step can instantly clear your house of this unwanted smell.

Cat urination is something that many people do not experience on a regular basis and many times there is a reason for this type of behaviour; if you can figure out the reason than you can prevent it in the future. Cats are very delicate animals and it is important to give them all the attention and care they need to be happy.