Cats are finicky pets that, at times, are tricky to control. While at the moment, everything regarding might seem normal, the next moment, the opposite of this might happen.
They are a kind of pet no one can understand.
However, there is one thing that while some cats are a bit moody when they exhibit specific behavior, in other cases, there might lie a health issue responsible for such behavior.
Now, one such behavior is your cat peeing in the bathroom or kitchen sink. Have you noticed your cat peeing in the sink?
Do you know why she is doing this? Do you want to stop it from happening again and again? If the answer to these questions is a big yes, you are in the right place. Read on to know everything about why my cat is peeing in the sink.
Why does my cat pee in the sink?
Though it is sometimes common for cats to relieve themselves in the bathroom or kitchen sink more often than the litter box, some specific reasons ignite the behavior more.
Peeing in the sink is not standard with trained cats, but younger cats or significantly older or senior cats may resort to peeing in the sink.
It is because they either find it an optimal spot for peeing or have forgotten their training of peeing in the litter box. Other reasons behind your cat peeing in the sink are below.
Reasons for your cat peeing in the sink
There are multiple reasons for your cat peeing in the sink and not in the litter box. These include the following.
1. The cat is avoiding the litter box:
Is this true? If yes, why is my cat avoiding her litter box? There are many reasons why your cat is avoiding her litter box and resorting to peeing in the litter box.
The greatest of all is that your cat is avoiding the litter box as it’s too dirty. You would know that cats are spotless animals and want everything as clean as possible, even if it’s their litter box.
Even if it’s clean, the cat may find the litter unsavory or its location not useful.
Anything among these may trigger your cat to not peeing in the litter box and start looking for an alternate spot. And somehow, they will come across your sink.
2. Health issues
Like any other animal, cats are prone to various health issues, which are a UTI or urinary tract infection.
Vets convey that any health problem that interferes with the cat’s urination behavior can lead to litter problems like peeing in the sink.
In the urinary tract infection, their urinary tract’s inflammation makes urination difficult and increases its frequency and urgency.
It prompts the cat to look for the nearest littering spot. And they, in most cases, meet the bathtub or sink as a decent option.
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3. Behavioral issues
Being smaller in size and minimal requirements may make you feel that cats’ life is as easy as it sounds. Ironically, it’s not true.
As said in the beginning, cats are picky animals that are very much in sync with their surroundings.
If any changes happen in their surroundings, like moving to a new place, a new home, adding a new member around them, etc., the cat may start feeling stressed.
And when cats start feeling stressed about something, it can trigger unimaginable behavioral issues in them.
One of these is peeing in the sink. The cat may also start eating more than usual, which will also increase urination frequency and urgency.
4. Age
Age is the primary factor in every animal for exhibiting abnormal behaviors. It is because age leads to a series of both physical and mental changes in animals.
In cats, the chances of getting dementia increase with age.
And this affects their awareness, learning, memory, and responsiveness. As a result, they might forget their litter training and start littering anywhere else like a sink or bathtub.
5. The cat is in love with your clean sink!
Although this might sound strange, it’s right in many cases. Cats are one of the cleanest animals on the planet, and that’s why every location that appears clean to them becomes their favorite location.
In your home, the sink and bathtub fall into this category. Hence, she might prefer your clean sink over her dirty and small litter box.
6. The litter box is too small and cramped
Cats are not made for cramped spaces and love spacious surroundings and spots to live.
So, if you have provided her a small litter box, she may not like it and find your more giant sink a perfect location to pee or poo.
Hence, a smaller and cramped litter box is another common reason behind the cat peeing outside it.
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7. Thirsty
Cats need an ample quantity of water besides food in the same quantity. So, if you have not provided her with a sufficient amount of water to drink near their living space or if it’s dirty, she might feel tempted to drink from a sink.
Yes, cats find it cool and satisfying to drink water from the sink when no one is around. And consequently, she will even pee in the sink.
So, these are the seven common reasons that make or force your cat to pee in the sink. Now, read below to know what you can or should do when your cat pee in the sink.
What to do when your cat starts to pee in the sink?
Now that your cat is finding it better to pee in the sink instead of her regular litter box, you cannot do much as a response. But the following two things must arrive at you in the very first moment.
- Shoo away the cat whenever you see her approaching the sink or bathtub more often, especially if it’s not her bath time.
- Don’t forget to lock the bathroom or kitchen the next time onwards to discourage the cat from going there again.
How to stop your cat from peeing in the sink?
Well, if you see your cat defecating in the sink, it’s better to take her to a vet and know if there’s any medical issue prompting her to do this. Once you have ruled out the medical issue aspect, you are good to go with the following tips and tricks.
1. Litter box changes
If your cat is not using her regular litter box for peeing, you ought to examine the issue or issues with it. If there are issues with the litter box, you must change them.
For example, if the litter box is dirty, wash it and spray some cat scent over it to attract the cat. It’s also an excellent option to clean the litter box 2-3 times a day and deep clean it once a week.
You can also place another litter box at another location in the house to provide her another place to litter.
Try using a large litter box instead of a cramped one to encourage her to use it. Lastly, don’t place the litter box in a noisy place.
2. Changes in the environment
First, if the cat continually moves towards the sink to pee in, start filling the sink with water to discourage her.
As cats are not water-friendly, they won’t dare to come closer to water like the sink filled with water. Another thing you can do is change the brand of the litter. Or you can get her a different place to pee or poo.
3. Keep her happy
It’s a common observation that stressed cats pee more often and don’t mind doing it anywhere they want to.
So, if your cat is feeling stressed or is anxious, try to make it happy. If the cat is happy and stress-free, it won’t pee that often and only do it in its litter box.
4. Ways to prevent cat urine smell in the sink
The smell of the cat’s urine is very sticky and doesn’t go smoothly with simple water.
Hence, you should use some chemicals or other substances and water to wash off the sink’s urine smell. Here are some tips regarding that.
- Use any enzymatic spray. It will break the acid in the cat’s urine and nullify its smell. It will also leave your sink fresh and odor-free once dry. However, remember that you should not mix the spray with another cleaner to lower down its effectiveness.
- If not spray, baking soda will also work in this regard. Baking soda contains sodium bicarbonate which is considerable at absorbing excellent and foul odors. So, sprinkle some soda over your cat’s urine and let it sit for some time. Afterward, wash it by scrubbing.
- A vinegar solution is another cheap option to try out as it is a natural deodorizer and helps cut out the foul odor of your cat’s urine. To create a vinegar solution, mix one-part of vinegar with eight parts of clean water. Mix it well and pour it into the sink and let it sit for a few minutes. Then wash it with water.
- You can also use some specific cat’s urine smell removing scents.
Conclusion
Though a cat’s life may appear normal to many, it’s not that easy and regular in reality.
The life of a cat is very different from that of other animals, and that’s why they are prone to exhibit abnormal behaviors if their life undergoes specific changes.
These changes may cause bad habits, such as peeing outside their litter box and into a sink or bathtub. No matter the other reasons behind them peeing in the sink, you can change this habit through some effort.
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.