Cats are not as friendly as dogs are. It’s not because they want to be aloof. They naturally are shyer and more reserved. They show this tendency sometimes when they pee on your doormat or rug. After all, peeing on a doormat does not exactly spell “Welcome” to anyone visiting your home.
How to Stop Your Cat from Peeing on Your Doormat. Why Cats Assume Poor Behaviors
Why does a cat do this? To learn how to stop a cat from peeing on doormat welcome rugs, you need to learn why cats are inclined to do so and how to prevent it from happening. Some cat owners attribute peeing outside the litter box to stress or a medical condition. Regardless of the reason, you can find ways to eliminate this type of elimination.
Before you take on this assignment, you need to know the exact reason your cat urinates outside its litter box and instead chooses to pee on a rug or doormat. If you have more than one cat in your household, one of the cats may pee on a doormat to claim its territory. The location of the rug gives the cat a clue to make its claim. When it sees other cats outdoors. It may pee on the doormat to prevent the other cats from entering its domain.
Close the Curtains or Drapes
If you don’t want your kitty to show dominion in this way, simply close the curtains or drapes so the cat does not see the other cats or the mat. If you wish to find out how to stop a cat from peeing on doormat welcome rugs, you may need to have your cat checked out by a vet. For instance, your veterinarian may find that your cat is suffering from a urinary tract infection. When a cat is treated for the condition, it usually stops the problem.
Marking territory
You can also gain relief when you have your cat spayed or neutered. Usually, these procedures will keep your cat from marking its territory. The scent of the rug’s rubber backing can also attract a cat to pee on it. If you want to check out how to stop a cat from peeing on doormat welcome mats, just switch your doormat or rug to one without the rubber lining.
Once a cat urinates on a carpet or a rug, it will pee on the “Welcome” mat again and again. While this may not be a “Welcome” rug for visitors, it certainly will signify a “Welcome” spot for a cat to urinate. To prevent this from continuing, you need to remove the urine scent immediately.
How to Stop Your Cat from Peeing on Your Doormat. Cleaning the Rug
To deodorize the rug, you will need to either clean it yourself with an enzymatic cleaner or vinegar or throw a washable rug into the washing machine. If the mat or rug can be washed in the machine, add a cup of vinegar and detergent for cleaning.
If your rug or mat cannot be washed in a machine, blot up the urine with a sponge or paper towel and soak the spot with an enzymatic cleaner designed for this purpose. This type of pet-specific cleaner features ingredients that will eliminate some of the components in the urine and get rid of the smell. After you hand-wash the rug, sprinkle baking soda over it to neutralize the odor and fully remove any residual smell.
Learning how to stop a cat from peeing on doormat welcome mats takes investigatory skills. In some instances, you may need to create a barrier so your cat cannot access the rug. You can accomplish this feat by adding a baby gate and blocking entry or by shutting the door to the room where a rug is located.
You may also install a motion-sensing deterrent close to the rug if you cannot block it off. This type of product sprays a harmless small gust of air to prevent your cat from accessing the rug. You usually can remove the deterrent after a few weeks’ time. If your cat is scared away several times, it will naturally avoid the area.
Deterrents That You Can Spray
In some cases, your cat may feel stressed out. If this is the case for your feline friend, you need to spray a solution that will keep it away from the mat or rug. In this instance, you will want to find a synthetic feline pheromone liquid to prevent the kitty from urinating outside its litter box.
You can also get creative and make the rug’s service unattractive for kitty. For example, one way to keep your cat from peeing on the rug is to cover parts of it with double-sided tape. Cats don’t like sticky surfaces and therefore will not walk or urinate on the rug. You can also try placing aluminum foil over the rug. Cats find walking on aluminum foil to be a disagreeable experience.
Add an upside-down rug runner with the nub side showing to keep your cat off the rug as well. This type of installation is another add-on that your cat will find unpleasant. Cats often keep away from strong floral perfumes or scents and turn away in disgust when assaulted by citrus scents. Therefore, you might try spraying these kinds of scents on your rug to keep your cat away.
Moving rugs around
In some cases, you might only need to move the rug and position the cat’s litter box in its place. If your cat frequently urinates on a rug, it may just prefer this space for peeing. If so, just place the litter box in the area after you clean the area.
Maybe your cat is young. If so, it may be urinating on your rug because it likes the fine and soft feel of the texture. To combat the problem, use a soft litter that feels gentle on the back of the cat’s paws. Use a litter that is corn, paper, or wood-based. Keep the box clean and ready for use by a daily scooping and weekly washing of the box.
Pooping May Be a Problem Too
Besides urinating on a rug, a cat may poop on the rug too. Whether your cat pees or poops, the behavior results from one of three main causes. Your cat may dislike the location or size of the litter box or may feel offended by the litter you use. Some fastidious cats may find their litter box to be unacceptable to use.
Besides peeing on a rug, a cat also marks its territory with its poop. This may happen when you adopt another cat into your household. Stress is yet another primary reason for peeing or pooping. Maybe you have recently moved or you have introduced a new dog or cat into the house. Something as little as a minor change in a schedule can make a cat feel stressed.
If your cat is peeing or pooping because it is stressed, you need to find out the reason for the cat’s anxiety and nervousness. Both stress and anxiety can debilitate a cat and lead it to take on unsatisfactory behaviors. Some of these behaviors include litter box avoidance, depression, withdrawal, or aggressiveness.
Stress can indeed cause you to wonder how to stop a cat from peeing on doormat welcome mats as cats do not deal well with modifications. As noted, even a small change can stress out your kitty. Big changes such as the addition of a new baby, spouse, or other pet can cause your cat to behave badly. If you have moved recently and notice that your cat is not using its litter box, you need to find out ways to calm your cat and help it adjust to its new household.
Why Cats May Become Anxious and Pee or Poop on a Rug
By eliminating the stressor, you can help your cat adjust better to changes and stop unwanted peeing or pooping activities. You just need to review the possible causes for the anxiety or stress.
Below is a list of the possible reasons why cats may become anxious and urinate on a rug.
- Seeing the Vet
Cats may feel trepidation when visiting the vet. To combat this problem, you need to transport your cat to its appointment with a crate. Cover the container with a lightweight blanket until you are inside the vet’s practice. Doing so will prevent your cat from viewing the scenery along the way and therefore lower its level of anxiety.
- Getting Acquainted with New Pets or Family Members
You need to be patient and take your time in introducing your cat to new cats, family, members, or dogs. Your cat may feel skittish or shy about living with a new member in its household. Therefore, you need to understand this so you can help your cat cope.
- Moving to a New Home
If you move your cat to a new home, you need to keep your kitty closed off in a separate area with its favorite blanket, food, or bed. When you take your cat to its new home, place it in an area that is away from moving and unpacking commotion. If you place the cat’s favorite things around it, it will more easily understand that this new space is home.
Usually, when moving your cat to a new home, it helps to have a friend or family member assist in the transition. For example, you may want to accompany your cat with its favorite toy in a cat carrier and have a family member set up the cat’s new space.
- A Change in the Daily Routine
If you have changed jobs recently, your cat may react to unwanted behavior such as peeing on your welcome mat. If you are beginning your new job at an earlier time, you may want to get the cat adjusted to the routine by gradually leaving earlier before you begin your new schedule. Reassure your cat by picking it up and petting it when you return from work. That way, your cat will more easily adjust to your absence when you are away.
- Loud Noises and Partying
Unlike some pets and people, your cat may strongly dislike festive gatherings. Cats often become nervous when they hear fireworks, the consistent ringing of the doorbell, or loud music. Even the most active cat may run and hide if subjected to this type of environment.
The Two Main Emotional Stressors That Lead to Peeing or Pooping
Besides the above anxiety and stress triggers, cats also may pee on rugs when they are stressed emotionally. Emotional stressors result when an environmental change happens. This type of stressor may include the following:
- Fear
If a cat goes through an earthquake, hurricane, or fire, it may react later by peeing or pooping on a rug or acting more aggressively. It may also avoid the litter box and urinate on a rug if it is cornered by another cat in his litter box. Feeling trapped in this way will cause the cat to feel fearful and pee or poop elsewhere.
- Jealousy
If a new cat is introduced into the house, your cat may feel jealous. Kittens can also exhibit this trait as they grow into adult cats. One of the best ways to combat this problem is to have the cats work out who should be the alpha feline and who should take on a more submissive role. If two adult cats are jealous of one another, it may be due to some type of environmental change, which you may have to investigate further.
Checking Out Your Older Cat’s Health
Some cat owners report that their older cat pees outside its litter box, which happens quite suddenly. When this occurs in an older cat, it may be due to a serious medical condition. A cat with weakened immune health, for example, often pees outside the litter box because it does not do well when placed under this type of stress.
If your cat is older and has a terminal or chronic illness, make sure that you keep it comfortable by placing it in a quiet and peaceful setting. Never bring home a rambunctious pup or new kitten if your cat is currently ill. While you don’t necessarily need to place your cat in a hospice or hospital or tiptoe around the house, you should make sure that the house feels peaceful and safe. Try to avoid loud talking or sudden movements and ask younger children to keep down their own noise or go outside when playing.
Easing a Cat’s Feelings of Anxiousness and Stress
If you find the source of the stress, you can better help your cat get over certain behavioral problems such as peeing on a rug. You may want to try different remedies to reduce the level of stress in your cat. For example, introducing a homeopathic remedy may help. Check with the vet first, however, to get his or her recommendation.
You also have to be careful about transmitting your own feelings of stress to your cat. It may react by peeing on your doormat. If you feel that you are handling too many stressful assignments or you feel overwhelmed, take measures to take care of your own level of stress. Savoring a cup of herbal tea or luxuriating in a hot bath can help ease the tensions that you may be conveying to your cat.
The Litter Box
You may need to reevaluate your cat’s litter box if it has decided to pee or poop elsewhere. Remember that cats like their litter boxes ultra-clean, not semi-clean or passable. Consider adding another litter box on the space where the cat eliminates.
You also need to consider the litter itself. While humans prefer scented litter, cats often find that flowery litters offensive to their fine-tuned senses. They may also not like the nature of the litter. Place a new litter in the second box to see if your cat likes the litter better.
You may even need to give your cat refresher training in using the litter box. This may need to be facilitated if your cat was adopted recently or if you own a fairly young cat. Besides choosing a more preferred litter and box, you need to set the litter box in an area that is cat-friendly.
This means that you should place it in an accessible area that is private in nature. Keep litter boxes away from cramped spots such as small closets or beneath cabinets. Never place the litter box near any equipment or machines that are making excess noise.
Litter boxes
Also, keep the litter box away from your cat’s favorite areas, such as its sleeping spot or where you place its food and water. Both kittens and cats prefer to urinate or poop away from beds or food.
When choosing a new litter box, select a box that features low sides or one that your cat can easily access. It should also be big enough so your cat can turn around and do its business. A box made of plastic often works well. A covered box may or may not work. Check to see what your cat prefers. While some cats like a covered box because it provides privacy, other cats like an uncovered box as they do not feel as closed in.
In Conclusion
As you can see, a number of factors can be linked to a cat’s peeing or pooping on a doormat or rug. While you may find it easy to solve the problem in some cases, you may find combating the issue a challenge too. Knowing why a cat responds in this manner is your first clue to finding a solution.
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