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Why Does My Cat Pee In The Tub

cat in the bathtub

Cleaning a loaded litter box is no day at the beach, but it’s more enjoyable than smelling urine when you enter the tub or shower. It seems strange that cats would use a hard surface like a bathtub to relieve themselves, but they’ll continue the behavior until you determine the cause and take steps to resolve the problem.

In this article, we’ll discuss the reasons why cats urinate in the tub and how to correct the practice.

The 6 Reasons Cats Urinate in the Bathtub

1. Litter Box Problems

One of the most common reasons for bathtub peeing is an unfavorable litter box. Sometimes, the litter contains fragrant additives that mask the odor and convince pet owners to wait a few days before cleaning the waste. Waiting until the stench hits your nose to clean the box is an ineffective strategy that may convince your pet to find a cleaner area, like a tub, to use the bathroom.

ginger cat near litter box
Image Credit: Yuliya Alekseeva, Shutterstock

2. Stress

Cat lovers often struggle to decipher their pet’s behavior, and it’s difficult to know when your furball is stressed. Cats do not like to stray from their daily routines, and an abrupt change can significantly impact the animals’ behavior. If you moved recently or just got back from a long vacation, high anxiety may cause your cat to urinate in odd places like the bathtub.

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3. Hormones

Whether you have a female or male cat, spaying or neutering is a vital procedure that can reduce the chances of an escape and prevent your pet from marking away from the litter box. Males who detect neighborhood females in heat and females anxious to attract males may choose the bathtub to mark their territory. Because their hormones are raging, intact males produce a more powerful stench when they pee than neutered cats.

neutered cat sleeping
Image Credit: ozanuysal, Shutterstock
  • Related Read: How to Help Your Cat Recover from Spaying or Neutering: 5 Important Tips

4. Old Scents

If your pet has made a mess in the bathtub before, they will likely repeat the behavior if any lingering scent remains. Bathroom cleaners can remove urine stains, but most products will not eliminate odors from cat urine. Ammonia-based cleaners leave a chemical residue that smells like cat pee, and your pet may be drawn to the tub because of the ammonia aroma.

Our favorite enzyme cleaner for eliminating pet smells and stains is our very own Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray. It makes clean-up a breeze because it permanently removes even the very worst smells and stains (urine, feces, vomit, you name it!) from basically any surface you can imagine.

5. Cognitive Problems

Aging cats sometimes have issues using the litter box when experiencing cognitive decline. As their conditions worsen, they may use the bathtub as a litter box more frequently. While there is no cure for cat dementia, you can treat the disease with help from your veterinarian.

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vet checking bengal cat
Image Credit: Pressmaster, Shutterstock

6. Physical Disorders

Aching joints and muscles may prevent older cats from climbing into the litter box, but they’re more likely to pee in a shower than in a tub with tall sides. Urinating away from the litter box may indicate a more severe problem that must be treated immediately. Some of the medical issues associated with excessive urination include urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and liver disease.

Additional Methods for Keeping Your Cat Away from the Tub

We covered how you can remedy bathtub accidents depending on the reasons, but you can also use these suggestions for keeping your pet out of the tub:

Image Credit: sophiecat, Shutterstock

Conclusion

Cats are mysterious animals, and their personality quirks sometimes make us question their sanity. Bathtub peeing is not one of the actions that make us smile, but luckily, it can be remedied by determining the reason behind the unwelcome habit.

Visiting your veterinarian will ensure your pet is not experiencing a medical condition, and you can take steps to redirect your cat to the litterbox and finally enjoy a urine-free bathtub.

See also:

  • Cat Peeing In The Sink: 8 Potential Reasons (and Solutions)
  • How to Give a Cat a Bath Without Water: 5 Vet-Approved Steps

Featured Image Credit: Irina Borodovskaya, Shutterstock

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