In the words of Charles Dicken, “What greater gift than the love of a cat?”
But what if that love comes in the form of a cat peeing in sink?
So much for the loving right ?
A cat peeing in sink could be a sign of many things. Also, a urinary tract infection can cause this weird behavior. Other cats would pee in the sink if their litter box is filthy or they are just avoiding it. Better yet, cat peeing in sink could be out of behavioral problems or he loves how your sink looks.
Before you give your cat up for adoption, let us first explain to you why the furbaby is peeing on your sink.
Cats are masters of decorum and peeing inside a sink is not their style.
So, when you see your kitty doing it, there is an underlying problem which we will explore in this article.
Why does my cat pee in the sink?
Your cat is peeing in the sink because of these reasons;
- A filthy litter-box
- A urinary tract infection
- A preference for your sink
- Age
- Behavioral issues
Filthy litter box
Cats are naturally clean.
This is why they spend most of their day grooming themselves from head to paw.
Even though they risk swallowing a hairball or two, it is worth it to them.
When your cat starts peeing outside the litter box, chances are the litter box is dirty.
Litter boxes fill up quickly without notice.
Perhaps when a strong stink comes from the litter tray is when we are compelled to clean it.
But a cat will catch that awful stink long before you.
And no cat in the world will do its business in a stinky box.
Your kitchen or bathroom sink look clean and hidden enough for your cat to take a leak in.
Learn More:
A Urinary Tract Infection
Yes, cats do get UTIs as well.
And while humans complain of a burning or itchy sensation when peeing, cats will show symptoms by peeing in odd places.
The habit is motivated by a cat not understanding the discomfort they are having.
If peeing in the litter box causes an itch, a cat will look for other places to relieve themselves.
They may choose a sink or bathtub because they believe these places won’t cause the same itch.
As a pet parent, taking your cat to a vet will help diagnose a UTI as the cause of your cat peeing in sink.
VIDEO: How to Spot a Cat Urinary Tract Infection
He prefers your sink
Perhaps your cat pees in the sink because he likes it there.
Let’s face it, if you have a chance to take a leak at a motel vs a Ritz Carlton bathroom, chances are you will take door number two.
Cats understand this comfort too, which is why your sink is a fancy upgrade.
In a cat’s eyes, all things belong to cats
-English proverb
Also, maybe the cat pees in the sink because something draws him there.
For instance, the smell of bleached sinks is known to drive cats crazy.
And a stoned cat is bound to do un-catlike stuff like peeing where they see convenient (now why does that sound familiar?).
Age
Sadly, some cats lose their bearings as they grow older.
Dementia kicks in and they start forgetting stuff, including their house training.
An elderly cat patched high up on your sink may not have the energy to make the journey to the litter box.
As a result, peeing in the sink becomes the only option.
It could also be that your aging cat is now mistaking the sink or your tub as his litter box.
You can teach a cat to do anything that it wants to do
-coolfunnycatquotes.com
Anxiety in cats can cause odd symptoms like peeing on sinks, tubs, even carpets.
Some cats, out of anxiety, may develop a humping behavior.
Feline anxiety comes with the following symptoms too;
- Mood swings
- Isolation
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Aggressive behavior
- Cat meowing a lot
If left unchecked, peeing can easily escalate to pooping in your tub.
A visit to the vet will help determine if your cat has underlying psychological issues.
How do you stop cat peeing in sink for good?
Find out what is ailing your cat.
If it is a UTI or any other disease, your vet will prescribe medication that will help clear the infection.
A cat peeing in sink out of habit can be stopped by restricting its access to the sink.
Other measures to stop cat from peeing in sink include;
1. Keeping the cat in a crate while you are away.
This will discourage them from peeing in the sink when home alone.
But you do not want to keep them in the crate for too long especially if they suffer from separation anxiety.
2. Clean or change your cat’s litter box. It is the only way to encourage them to start using it again.
Also, ensure the litter box is in a location that your cat can easily access and away from human traffic.
Cats love to do their business in private.
3. If you are keeping more than one cat, buy a litter box for each cat.
Cats are not big on sharing personal items like litter boxes.
4. Spend more time with your cat and shield it from bullying from other cats.
Bullying and loneliness are the top reasons for anxiety in cats.
Conclusion
Cats are prized for their high moral standards.
With that in mind, you can now understand why it is not normal behavior for a cat to pee in your sink.
If he is properly house trained, then there is a strong reason for this new strange behavior.
Take your cat to the vet to rule out sickness and use any of the above tips to stop the cat peeing in sink for good.
See Also
Frequently Asked Questions
A cat peeing on you or your clothes is trying to communicate with you. It could start with him walking over your computer keyboard to get your attention. If this does not work, the cat employs other dire measures like peeing on your sink. All this stems from loneliness and anxiety. Spend more time with your cat to stop the behavior.
Mixing one part of vinegar to three parts water can help get rid of cat urine in the sink or bathtub. For fabrics, soak the affected part in the vinegar-water solution and clean it with detergent after. Use lavender fabric softener to keep your cat away for good.
Cats are clean animals and would not soil your sink out of spite. A cat peeing in sink, or pooping, could be that the litter box is dirty or not accessible. Also, find out if this house soiling behavior stems from pet anxiety.
First, find out what is causing your cat to pee in the sink. Once you have that solved, clean up your sink with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and a liquid detergent. This will clear the urine smell from the sink which can attract your cat to pee again. Also, using a cat repellent like rue or lavender to keep your cat away.
