Do you know that sinking feeling when you see a stain on your favorite couch or smell the unmistakable odor of cat pee coming from some unfortunate piece of furniture? You’ve probably spent hours trying to figure out how your cat could possibly have found somewhere to pee without you noticing. If you are reading this, it means that you have discovered one or more pieces of evidence that lead you to believe your cat has been marking their territory. This is not uncommon for cats, but there are ways to stop them from peeing on the things you love and care about. In the meantime, here are some useful suggestions and solutions on how to stop a cat from peeing on the couch.
How To Stop Cat From Peeing On Couch?
Create a Scape Room
Cats like to be clean and tidy, just not where they sleep. If you have an indoor-outdoor cat (or a cat who is allowed to roam the yard), make sure that your cat has a clean and tidy indoor escape room where he can retreat to relieve himself. Cats are very particular about where they pee and poop, and even if your cat is spraying, he’ll likely still use his litter box most of the time. Make sure, however, that he has a private place to use the bathroom where he won’t have to worry about his scent being detected. Be sure to scoop often and clean the litter box regularly.
Make the Peeing Spot Unappealing
If your cat is marking his territory with urine, you can work to repel him from the site. Cats are sensitive to the smell of citrus, so you can try spraying citrus-scented cleaning products on the couch and furniture. If your cat is marking because you have a new pet in the household, you can try plug-in sprays that contain the scent of citronella. Cats are sensitive to the smell of citrus, so you can try spraying citrus-scented cleaning products on the couch and furniture. You can also try plug-in sprays that contain the scent of citronella.
Don’t Let Your Cat Roam Free
Cats who are allowed to roam unsupervised are much more likely to engage in marking behavior than cats who live indoors. If your cat is roaming, confine him indoors or install a fence or outdoor enclosure. If you have an outdoor cat, be sure to have him spayed or neutered. If you have a new cat in the household, make sure that your other cat is spayed or neutered.
Try a Bitter Deterrent
If your cat is spraying, you can try applying a small amount of a bitter deterrent such as Bitter Yuck! on the furniture where he has sprayed. Cats don’t like the taste or feel of these products and will be less likely to return to that spot to mark again. Bitter Yuck! is recommended by veterinarians and groomers, and is safe for use on all fabrics, including leather and vinyl.
Consult With a Behavior Professional
If none of these strategies work, it may be time to consult a behavior professional. You can consult with your veterinarian about medications that can help reduce marking behavior. If these strategies don’t work, it could be a symptom of a larger problem. Feline behaviorists are often able to determine what caused your cat to begin spraying in the first place and work with you to correct the issue.
Why Do Cats Pee On Couches?
Our New Couches Smell Like Another Cat
The first and most obvious reason why a cat would pee on your couch is if they smell the scent of another cat on your furniture. Cats are very territorial animals, and they will react aggressively when they smell another cat on their territory. This is especially true if they have not been spayed or neutered. When you first bring a new cat into your home, make sure they have their own litter box and food dishes. They may not pee where another cat has peed before, but they will most likely spray the area with their scent. This is how cats mark their territory. If you notice that your new cat is peeing excessively on your couch, clothing, or other household items, you may need to have them spayed or neutered to help calm this behavior down.
They’re Marking Their Territory
This ties in nicely with the first reason. If a cat pees on the couch, it is most likely marking its territory, letting you know that this is its space. Cats are very territorial animals, so it makes sense that they would want to mark their territory. This may also explain why your cat is spraying because spraying is a more aggravated version of peeing. The spray is usually a yellow or brown fluid that has a foul odor. If your cat has peed on your couch, there are some things you can do to calm this behavior down. If possible, try to find out if another cat lives in the area, and confine your kitty if there is. You can also try blocking off your cat’s access to the couch or spraying a product like Feliway on the couch to help calm them down.
They Don’t Like The Feel of the Material
Cats are very particular when it comes to the way their things feel, and this includes your couch cushions. If your cat has peed on the couch, they may not like the feel of the fabric against their skin. This can be especially true if your cat is a long-haired breed. If your cat doesn’t like the feel of the couch, the best thing you can do is change the fabric.
There’s Something Wrong With The Litter Box
If your cat pees on the couch, they might not like the litter box that you have for them. Cats are very particular when it comes to their litter boxes, and they may not appreciate the one you have for them. Some cats need to be placed in larger litter boxes because they are very large breeds. Other cats may not like the type of litter you have in the box, so they may choose to pee on the couch instead.
They Could Be Displaying Dominance Behavior
Cats can be very territorial animals, and peeing on your couch could be a sign of dominance. If it is a male cat that pees on the couch, he may be trying to mark his territory and let you know that your couch is his. If your male cat is peeing on the couch, you may want to separate him from the couch by placing a baby gate between the two. You may also want to place him in a larger litter box to make him feel more comfortable.
Tips To Stop Your Cat From Peeing On The Couch
These tips are aimed at stopping your cat from peeing in the wrong places or at lessening the frequency of the behavior. If your cat has already peed on the couch, it’s important to follow these tips.
- Try to keep your cat’s litter box clean. Cats are very clean animals and will likely start urinating on the couch if their litter box is dirty or unsanitary.
- If your cat is urinating on the couch, try to find more appropriate places for them to scratch. Cats scratch to mark their territory and show other animals that this is their territory.
- If you want your couch and not your cat, then you want to encourage your cat to scratch other places. There are many scratching posts on the market that are perfect for this.
Conclusion
Cats are incredible creatures, and when you know how to identify and understand their behaviors, you can build a stronger relationship. If you are seeing signs that your cat is peeing on the couch, don’t panic. There are many ways to resolve this issue, and you can take steps to stop cats from peeing on the couch.
