Pregnancy can be an exciting, yet stressful time for cats and their owners alike.
During this time, some cats may exhibit changes in behavior that may be concerning, such as peeing everywhere around the house.
Understanding why your pregnant cat may be peeing everywhere can help you take steps to address the issue and keep your home clean and odor-free.
Why Does My Pregnant Cat Pee Everywhere?
As your cat’s pregnancy progresses, you may notice her urinating more frequently than usual.
Some cats may urinate more frequently than others, but the difference usually isn’t significant.
In order to understand this behavior, it’s important to understand that cats develop a specific scent gland just before they give birth.
When your cat is in heat, the gland secretes an odor that attracts male cats.
However, when your cat is pregnant, the gland secretes a pheromone that attracts other female cats.
As a result, many pregnant cats urinate more frequently than usual.
Additionally, your cat’s pregnancy may cause her to experience some discomfort and pain in her stomach.
Thus, she may urinate more frequently to relieve herself of the pain.
However, if your cat’s peeing behavior becomes excessive, you should take your cat to the vet immediately.
Excessive urination may be a symptom of pregnancy complications.
How Can You Tell If Your Cat Is Pregnant?
If you suspect that your cat is pregnant, it is important to consult with a veterinarian.
Common signs of pregnancy in cats include weight gain, enlarged nipples, morning sickness (vomiting), increased appetite, and nesting behavior, which includes seeking out warm spaces.
Cats do not exhibit human-like behavior during gestation, so it can be difficult to detect when a cat is pregnant.
However, there are some common signs that can indicate a cat may be pregnant.
Cat owners should observe their cats for the following behaviors to determine whether their cat is pregnant:
- Shedding more than usual
- Increased appetite
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Increased vocalization
- Increased playfulness
- Increased vocalizing of “meows”
- Seeking out warm areas
- Snuggled with other cats
- Increased grooming
- Rested more than usual
- Increased weight gain
- Difficulty giving birth
- Loss of appetite or morning sickness
- More vocalization than normal
- Increased nesting behavior which includes seeking out warm spaces
What Can You Do To Stop Your Cat From Peeing Everywhere?
Cats love to mark their territory, and they do it with great enthusiasm by urinating on walls, furniture, doors, curtains, and even the floor.
Felines are not the only ones who can pee everywhere; even dogs do it sometimes, though they don’t usually do so as much.
Cats also leave small deposits of urine around the house that are hard to spot. This can make your house stinky and unsightly, as well as pose health hazards. What can you do to stop your cat from peeing everywhere?
Understand the root cause of your cat’s problem
Some cats don’t pee in their litter boxes because they don’t have access or are using an outdated one. Some cats also pee out of their boxes if their litter box is located close to another smelly area in the house.
Clean the litter box frequently
Cleaning the litter box regularly is important as it helps remove the odor and reduces the chances of your cat urinating outside of the box.
Install a litter box in a secluded area
Cats like privacy when they use the litter box, so installing a litter box in another room away from the litter area can help your cat feel comfortable using the box.
Clean the litter area
Remove all the poop and urine deposits from the litter box every two days. Use hot water and a commercial cleaner to eliminate germs and odors. Wash the litter pan with soap and water.
Provide your cat with a litter box that is clean
Make sure you’re using a litter that your cat likes and that has low dust levels. Also, avoid clumping litter if your cat has dust allergies.
Why Is It Important To Get Professional Help For A Pregnant Cat?
Pregnant cats need special care and attention.
Not only are they trying to give birth, but they may also need to be separated from other cats to ensure their safety. What’s more, pregnant cats often adopt a nesting position.
This makes it difficult for them to move around and could easily injure the kitten or even the mother herself. For these reasons, it’s crucial to get professional help when a cat is pregnant.
Tips For Cleaning Up After A Cat That Has Peed Everywhere
All cats urinate and defecate at one time or another, and the responsibility of cleaning up after them can be unpleasant and time-consuming.
Cat urine has a strong odor that can linger on surfaces for months and is difficult to get rid of completely, so a good cleaning routine is essential.
Here are our tips for cleaning up after a feline accident.
Clean the litter box
Scoop out the litter box daily and replace the litter with an alternative. Most cats will prefer unscented litters, but you can use scented litters too.
Clean the litter tray
Sprinkle baking soda on the litter tray and let it sit for at least 15 minutes before vacuuming it up. Baking soda will help absorb the odor.
Clean the whole house
Wipe down any surfaces your cat has urinated or defecated on using wet wipes or a solution of water and white vinegar.
Bleach can also be used, but make sure to mix it in a bucket of water before pouring it onto the surface. Use paper towels to clean up any messes left over.
Wash bedding
Wash your cat’s bedding in hot water and soap and replace it on a monthly basis.
Wash toys
Wash your cat’s toys by hand with hot water and soap, and shake out any excess water before storing them.
How To Prevent Your Cat From Urinating Everywhere In The Future
Cat owners often face the problem of their felines urinating somewhere other than their litter box.
There are thousands of cat owners across the globe who face this problem.
The key to preventing this from reoccurring is to understand why cats urinate in inappropriate places and how you can stop them from peeing.
First, it is important to understand that cats do not urinate out of spite. They urinate to mark their territory.
They mark their territory by urinating on items they find important. Cats also urinate to mark their territory in multi-cat households, where everyone needs to claim their space.
The best way to prevent your cat from urinating in inappropriate places is to understand their psychology and behavior.
Cats learn by copying what their parents do. They observe their parents urinating in an open space. If the mother is urinating in an open space, then so will the baby.
If the mother is urinating on something, so will the baby. Therefore, if you want to prevent your cat from urinating in inappropriate places, you need to stop them from seeing their mother peeing on things around the house.
The best way to do this is by using litter boxes. Cats are natural squatters and prefer to go to the bathroom on an elevated surface. Placing the litter box in an elevated place will help prevent your cat from urinating in other places in your house.
You can also prevent your cat from urinating in inappropriate places by hiding their litter boxes.
Cats instinctively do not like the smell of their litter boxes. Therefore, by hiding their litter boxes, you will prevent them from going inside.
In addition, you should clean the litter box frequently so it does not smell like urine. The smell of something wrong can alert a cat.That is why your cat may be urinating in another area of the house.
You should also be careful that your cat is eating a well-balanced diet. An unbalanced diet can cause your cat to urinate in inappropriate places.
Last but not least, you should play with your cat frequently. Playing with your cat will help them feel relaxed and happy. This will prevent them from urinating inappropriately.
Also Read: Why Is My Pregnant Cat Licking Herself A Lot?
Conclusion
In conclusion, many cats will pee everywhere when their owner brings home a pregnant cat.
Each cat is different and may have different reactions to the situation. However, most cats will adjust to the situation and eventually stop urinating everywhere.
