What to do when a cat marks its territory and urinates out of place?

Like all other behavioural disorders in animals, marking a cat’s territory or otherwise urinating out of place has its own specific causes. By understanding their origins, undesirable cat behaviours can not only be combated but also overcome.

Finality

Cowardice is one of the reasons why cats may urinate in inappropriate places. This trait may be natural, but it is very often the result of inadequate socialisation, i.e. care and attention from the owner in the first months of life. A young kitten (8-12 weeks old) needs to be able to see as many people and other animals as possible, to hear a wide variety of sounds, to smell scents etc. This means that the animal needs to understand that the world is a big and diverse place and that there are all sorts of surprises waiting for it, but they are not scary at all. Of course, nervousness can also be triggered by frequent punishment or abuse and by certain health problems (e.g. poor eyesight).

How can we combat cat fear and the effects of inappropriate socialisation?

Overcoming cowardice, whatever its origin, will take time and patience. Basic advice to the owner would be: (1) do not raise your voice or punish the cat for misbehaviour; (2) the animal will feel much better if you communicate in a calm tone and do not make sudden movements; (3) try to maintain a more or less homogeneous living environment, which is familiar and normal for the cat – of course, in the future you will not be able to avoid the situation where people come into your house when you see them for the first time, or where you turn on the newly acquired food processor; (4) a key characteristic of cats is that they are not gang animals and tend to find their own way out (they may not ask for their owner’s help), so you should not pull them out of their hiding place, but rather offer them something better, which they will perceive as a greater good than some safe and invisible shelter in the house; (5) try to build a ‘pretend’ shelter (a closed cube-shaped box or a cage), and make the surrounding environment pleasant: Place water and food bowls nearby, a litter box (cats make associations between a place and certain behaviours, so the opportunity to eat – a pleasure – will eventually help them to perceive the place as safe and welcoming).

Sexuality and marking territory

One of the most common reasons for cats urinating out of place is their innate sexuality. This is usually the case with unneutered, sexually mature cats.

Urine on furniture, walls, clothes and other objects in the apartment is the cat’s way of showing the other cats that this territory is occupied and will be fiercely defended in the future. Cats may not have this unwanted habit for long, but it can occur quite suddenly one day when the owner “brings” the smell of another cat, when the family has a new baby, when a new pet is acquired, when furniture is changed or rearranged, or when the place of residence is changed.

How to deal with these situations? (1) The above causes of urination are resolved by neutering by a veterinarian. This procedure reduces the level of sex hormones in the blood, and the cat usually loses the need to mark and defend its territory. Neutering not only prevents unpleasant odours in the home, but also the wounds that can occur when the animal fights with other males for territory or a female. (2) It is also possible to try demonstratively throwing objects or spraying perfume in areas where urine has been urinated.

Picky cat

The specific reclusive nature of cats sometimes contributes to their particularly distinctive temperament. Some cats have a heightened level of fastidiousness and need for order. For example, if there is more than one cat and only one litter box in the house, a ‘pedantic’ pet may not use it if another animal has already defecated in it. A cat may also avoid the litter box because of negative experiences in the past: perhaps it has been injured while using it or frightened by something.

How to communicate with a picky cat? (1) Clean, preferably odourless, litter should be placed in a quiet place; (2) if you have more cats, you should buy the appropriate number of litter boxes and an extra one; (3) you need to remove any signs of urination in other places (do not use ammonia-based products; preferably baking soda (which is yellowed by the urine, so that the colour stays white, so that you will know that the cleaning is complete), or vinegar diluted 3:1 with water).

Urinary tract diseases

Frequent accidental urination in inappropriate places can also be a sign of urinary tract disease in your cat. The only solution is to go to a veterinary clinic for all the necessary tests, professional help and treatment.

Other ways to change inappropriate urination habits in cats

(1) There are special sprays that repel cats or attract them to certain areas. Citrus peel, which is a smell cats do not like, can be sprinkled on the urination area.

(2) Pheromones can be tried. These natural chemical compounds secreted by the body to convey certain information about itself to those around it are responsible for the emotional stability and spatial orientation of cats, and have the same function as urine in marking territory. By constantly rubbing its muzzle in the living environment, the cat leaves its pheromones everywhere, which creates a sense of security and spatial ‘recognition’.

(3) In areas where the cat urinates, aluminium foil or cellophane cut-outs can be placed on which the animal will find it unpleasant to do its natural business, as they make a sound, do not absorb the urine, and cause splashing and paw-pawing.

(4) Cats are clean animals and cannot eat where they have urinated. Therefore, trying to give food exactly where it has been “worked on” may work.