Has your cat suddenly started peeing on your dirty and unwashed clothes? It can be quite a difficult situation to deal with because the cat’s urine smells strongly of ammonia, and it is challenging to remove the stains and the odor. It can make the fabric completely unwearable. The reasons for cat peeing can be medical or behavioral.
Owners must make sure that your cat’s litter box is at an accessible place. The litter box should be comfortable for your cat. Offer trays with lower sides to old cats with limited mobility. You must identify the cause of feline urination on clothing and address it with medical attention or training.
Why does my cat keep peeing on my clothes?
Territory marking, litter box issues, comfort, sickness, and seeking attention are some of the reasons why cats urinate on human clothes. Let us discuss each factor in detail.
Marking her territoryCats often pee to mark their territory. It is common when she lives with other cats. Cats feel insecure with other pets in the house.
So, your cat may carve out territory on a pile of laundry, bedding, or your shoes. Male cats also pee at unwanted locations to establish themselves as the alpha.
Female cats may urinate to attract male cats. By peeing on clothes, your cat will be building a safe place for her and return there for future eliminations.
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1. Issues with the litter box
A cat may very well refuse to use the litter box when she dislikes it. It might be due to the litter box being too small, uncomfortable, uncleaned, or some other pet has used it. Old cats may find elevated litter boxes painful and inaccessible. The cat needs to eliminate waste even if she rejects the litter box.
2. To seek attention
Your cat watches you dress every day and thinks it is important to you. She sees you washing, folding, and ironing them. So if your cat feels ignored or seeks attention, she will pee on your clothes.
It is a way of leaving an unmistakable scent to remind you of her existence. If you do not play or fuss with your cat, it will take actions like this to show you that something is not vital.
3. Incontinence
Incontinent cats are not able to reach the litter box on time. So, they find peeing on clothes much better than spoiling the floor. Some cats are born with this disorder, while some develop it with age.
A cat can become incontinent due to nerve damage near the bladder, UTIs, overactive bladder, kidney failure, consumption of toxic substances, and more.
4. Comfort
Cats love soft things, and they may be peeing on your clothes out of comfort. Since your clothes smell like you, she feels more comfortable peeing there. Though it may not seem so, she is trying to strengthen her bond with you.
She is considering you as another feline and using your scent to communicate with you. Do not punish her. Instead, train your cat to come out of this behavior.
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How do you stop a cat from peeing on things?
There are several ways to stop a cat from peeing on things. We understand that it is troublesome when your cat is peeing out of the litter box.
But, your little friend is not doing this with a bad intention. Carefully investigate the reason behind this behavior and take the necessary steps to stop this. Here are some ways that might be helpful.
1. Veterinarian consultation
The most significant thing to do to stop inappropriate cat urination is to consult your vet. Your cat’s doctor will physically examine her, take an entire history, do a urinalysis, and perform some other diagnostic tests to determine the reason.
This problem may be medical or behavioral.
The most common health issues for which a cat urinates out of her litter box are UTIs, diabetes, and kidney diseases. If she is medically fit, the vet will help you address the environmental issues.
2. Clean up the mess properly
Always clean thoroughly all the areas where your cat has peed. Eliminate the odor so your cat does not drawback to the same spot again.
Use your nose and a black light to get to all the problem areas. Use cleansing agents and room deodorants to eliminate the strains and the smell.
3. Give them time and attention
If your cats are urinating to mark their territory, they are probably insecure. Give them time to pay attention. Play and fuss with them more often. If you have multiple pets, ensure that you spend quality time with them and never neglect anyone.
If possible, provide separate living areas to each cat. If this is not feasible in your household, provide hiding places and elevated cat perches so that they can get some time off of one another. Neuter all the cats who will not be a part of the breeding program before puberty.
4. Keep more litter boxes
Increase the number of litter boxes in your house. It is vital in the case of multiple cat households. Each cat should have two litter boxes, as they do not like to share these spaces with other pets around.
Cats never use the box with urine or feces of some other cat, even if they are friends. Your cat is more likely to find a suitable litter box when you keep more of them.
5. Litter box location
The location of litter boxes also matters a lot. Keep one on each floor if you have multiple stories in your house. Do not keep the boxes in too tucked away places, like inside cabinets or in the room corner. Convenient and accessible litter boxes will help in alleviating the problems.
6. Decrease conflicts between cats
One common reason for inappropriate urination is the introduction of a new cat or conflict between cats. If cats get into a fight near a litter box, they will avoid that location.
In such a situation, separate the cats for a while and then gradually reintroduce them. Make the litter boxes spread out throughout the house so that cats can access them at different locations.
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Conclusion
When you notice your cat peeing on your clothes or at other inappropriate areas, do not scold or punish them. Try to investigate the reason behind it. Give your pet proper medications if it is a health issue and proper training in case of behavioral disorder.
Hi There, AJ Oren here. I am the founder of this amazing pet blog & a passionate writer who loves helping pet owners to learn more about their pets through my articles. I am also the content manager of this blog. I have experience in pet training and behavior, sheltering, and currently working for a veterinary clinic.