How to stop your cat peeing on the carpet

If your cat has started peeing on the carpet, it can be frustrating – but you’re not alone.  

Cats might urinate on the carpet for several reasons, and it’s important to try to identify the cause so you can help your pet. 

Here, we explore the medical and behavioural reasons why your cat might urinate on the carpet, as well as how to encourage them to go outside or in their litter tray.

There are a few reasons why your cat might be peeing on the carpet, from medical problems to behavioural causes. 

If your cat has started to pee in the house, it’s best to consult your vet. They can check for any health issues and offer advice on encouraging them to stop. 

• Cystitis: Urinary tract issues such as cystitis – inflammation of the bladder – can make cats need to pee more frequently or urgently before they have the chance to get to the litter tray or go outside.
• Old age: Senior cats may struggle to go outside in bad weather or via the cat flap, or struggle to get into a litter tray with higher sides. 
• Kidney disease and diabetes: These conditions can increase thirst and urination, which might make it more difficult for your cat to go to the toilet in time. 

It’s important to speak to your vet if you think there might be a medical reason for your cat to be toileting indoors. They can carry out tests, including a physical exam and urinalysis, to rule out medical issues before offering behavioural advice if needed. 

The following may cause a cat to go to the toilet on the carpet: 

• Being scared to urinate outside: Cats often feel vulnerable when urinating, and they might be afraid of neighbourhood cats or other stressors. 

• A past negative experience: A cat who has had a bad experience near their litter tray might be hesitant to use the tray again.  

• A dirty litter tray: Cats don’t usually like using dirty litter trays, so it’s best to remove waste daily. Change the litter regularly and provide one tray for each cat if you have more than one. 

• Strong scents: Some cats might not like using a tray with scented litter, deodorants or strong-smelling disinfectants, so it’s best to use cat-friendly disinfectants and rinse the tray with clean water. 

• The wrong type of litter: Cats can get used to toileting on a familiar substrate, so if you change the litter type, your cat may struggle. As a rule of thumb, cats prefer fine-grain, sand-like litter, but every cat is different. 

• The position of the litter tray: If the tray is out in the open where other cats, pets or people might disturb them, your cat may decide to urinate somewhere quieter. 

When a cat urinates, they’ll squat down and do it on a horizontal surface. You might find accidents on the carpet, duvet or sofa, or in the bath.  

In contrast, if your cat is spraying, you’ll notice their tail is upright and quivering, and they might be making a treading motion with their back legs. Only a small amount of urine is sprayed backwards onto a vertical surface, such as a wall, to leave a scent mark. 

Often, cats find a spot close to a door or window, such as the curtains.  

It’s worth mentioning here that peeing is a biological function to void the bladder, whereas spraying is often a communication tool. Both involve urine but serve different functions. 

It’s important to make sure your cat feels comfortable using their litter tray or going outside. If your cat has outdoor access, you can try letting them out yourself or changing the cat flap so other cats can’t come in or out, and you can even accompany them outside.  

Even if a cat has outdoor access, we always recommend having a tray indoors in case the cat is no longer comfortable toileting outside. With an indoor litter tray, consider whether it’s in the right place and contains the right litter for them to use it comfortably. A few small adjustments can make a big difference to your cat’s comfort: 

• Size: Make sure it’s big enough – ideally about 1.5 times your cat’s length, with enough room for them to turn around and dig. 
• Depth: Aim for about 3–4cm of litter so your cat can dig and bury their pee comfortably. 
• Type of tray: Some cats prefer an open tray while others prefer to be sheltered when they go to the toilet. Try both to see what your cat prefers, 
• Number of trays: It’s recommended to provide one litter tray per cat, plus a spare if you can.
  
• Location: Keep litter trays in quiet but accessible areas, away from food and water.

Pheromone diffusers and sprays can make a difference for some cats. They release a synthetic version of the calming scents cats produce naturally, and this can help them feel more secure in their environment, as well as less likely to urinate indoors. 

Above all, do not punish your cat. It’ll make them anxious, and this could make the problem worse. 

If you’re worried about your cat urinating outside their litter tray and you have cat insurance with Petplan, you can access our Pet Expert Chat by logging in to your My Petplan account and speaking with someone about your cat’s toileting habits or litter tray setup.

Because cats have a strong sense of smell, lingering odours may mean they’re more likely to go in the same place again. Keep them away from the area for as long as you can and clean the area as thoroughly as possible so they can no longer smell the scent.  

Before you begin to clean, try to locate every spot of urine, because it’s not always easy to see it once it’s dried. A UV torch can be handy if you want to detect stains your eyes might miss. 

Try washing the area with an enzyme cleaner. These help break down the compounds in cat urine, removing the smell rather than masking it. Leave the area to dry before you allow your cat back in the room.  

And remember, as annoying as cat pee on the carpet might be, it’s important to focus on finding the cause and preventing it from happening again. Rather than getting annoyed at your cat, work with your vet to determine the best plan of action.