If your cat pees on you, don’t fret. Your furry friend doesn’t hate your guts. There’s likely a medical reason behind this behavior.
When cats pee on their owners, there’s something wrong with their health. Possible causes include urinary tract infections, a dirty litter box, wrong cat litter, lost bladder control, marking territory, environmental change, old age, etc.
In this article, I will discuss common reasons cats pee on their humans and possible solutions, so let’s dive right in.
Why Did My Cat Pee on Me?
When a can pees on their favorite human, there’s something wrong with their health or environment. And since there’s a wide range of reasons for this behavior, pinning down the right one can be quite challenging.
However, you can observe your cat’s behavior, explore the possible reasons below, and schedule a vet appointment for further inspection and solution.
Common reasons include stress, extreme distress, medical condition, etc. Without further ado, let’s dissect all possible reasons for this behavior.
1. Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections aren’t uncommon in cats. On the contrary, they occur in cats very often, especially in male cats that don’t hydrate enough daily.
Since it’s a common issue in kitties, you should check with your vet and determine if this is why your feline pees on you.
Signs of urinary tract infections in felines include peeing in unusual locations, such as your lap, tile tiles, covers, and bathrooms, visiting the litter box without success more than usual, moaning in pain while peeing, etc.
If your cat has a urinary tract infection, your vet will prescribe a special diet and medication. They will also share preventative tips, so visit your vet as soon as possible.
2. Messy Litterbox
Cats prefer their litter box to be clean at all times. So, if you’re not meeting their bathroom needs daily, they will “punish” you with bad behavior, like peeing in odd places, instead of in their litter box.
However, remember that this isn’t intentional. Your cat doesn’t want to sit in a dirty, smelly litter box and look for alternatives, such as your carpet, floor, bed, or lap.
3. Your Cat Doesn’t Like the Cat Litter
Cats aren’t only picky about the litter box. They’re also particular about the litter you use in the litter box.
So, if you’re using the wrong cat litter that makes your cat uncomfortable, they might avoid their litter box for a while and unintentionally pee on you when in your lap.
Moreover, your cat can avoid their litter box if you’ve recently switched cat litter. So, if you suspect this is the reason, restore the previous litter box settings.
You can experiment with scented and unscented litter and see which one your kitty likes. In my experience, cats usually prefer unscented over scented litter.
Additionally, consider the type of litter box you’re using. Some kittens prefer sealed litter boxes, while others enjoy unsealed litter pans.
If your feline prefers the latter but gets litter outside the litter box, you can choose a good open-tier litter box with shields.
If you have more than one cat and they share litter boxes, one of them can find this uncomfortable. So, make sure you provide one litter box for each.
4. Territorial Issue
If your many cats share litter boxes, they probably don’t like this setup, as they perceive their litter boxes as their territory. As a result, they may chase each other out of what they see as their territory.
For this reason, one of the cats might feel threatened by other cats when using the toilet and avoid the litter box. They will hold back their urine until they can no longer hold it in and accidentally pee all over you.
You can quickly solve this issue by providing multiple litter boxes.
5. Bladder Control Issues
Unfortunately, some felines lose control over their bladder and, as a result, pee all over their owners by mistake.
Typically, overweight and senior cats lose control over their bladder.
If you suspect your cat urinates on you because of a lack of bladder control, consult your vet, as they can prescribe drugs that will effectively treat your feline’s issue.
Inflammation can also cause incontinence. If your cat suffers inflammation, don’t worry, as antibiotics and topical ointments can treat inflammation.
6. Territory Marking
Male felines typically mark their territories with urine, especially if they haven’t been neutered.
However, males usually mark their territory when they feel threatened by other male cats inside their households.
Most cats rub themselves against every surface in the home, such as doors, tables, beds, cat trees, and even their favorite humans, as they can also mark their territory without urine.
In most cases, when cats surround themselves with their scent, it’s enough to make them feel safe, but depressed or annoyed cats who feel endangered by other cats in the household can start urine marking.
So, if you own multiple cats, there’s a chance that one of your cats will feel agitated by the others and start marking your home or even yourself.
You can quickly solve this issue by spaying or neutering your cats.
Additionally, consider reintroducing the cats and make sure they don’t feel the need to fight for your attention.
7. Extreme Distress
Traumatic events like vet visits or fighting other cats can make your kitten act weird. So, if your cat has recently experienced something traumatic, their unusual behavior was likely caused by stress and anxiety.
Remember that most cats despise going to the vet, especially in carriers. Moreover, they’re scared of cars.
So, if your cat’s visibly distressed and pees all over you, it’s not because they hate you. Your furry friend is probably shaken and looking for comfort.
8. Your Cat’s Just Angry
Some cats with angry personalities can hold anger against their owners and act out. Therefore, if you have a kitten with a short temper, you’ve probably done something they didn’t like, so they peed on you.
Restricting treats, outdoor access, adopting a new pet, or locking your cat in a room at night can cause issues in your daily life; however, when your annoyed kitten pees all over you, don’t get angry and make things worse.
Instead, consult a cat behaviorist who can help you determine what makes your cat angry and suggest possible solutions.
9. Old Age
Senior cats usually pee more frequently. Additionally, they can’t get up as quickly as before, so they can pee all over their owners.
Simply put, if you have a senior cat, you will probably experience this problem along the road; however, you should never get angry at your cat when they pee on you, as it’s not your feline’s fault.
Your furry friend isn’t purposefully peeing on you.
You can prevent this issue by providing multiple litter boxes around the home. Also, if your older cat loses bladder control, visit your vet as soon as possible.
They can determine if your cat has difficulty controlling their bladder and administer proper treatment.
10. Change in Your Cat’s Environment
Cats love routines, so your feline might get stressed and anxious when you change something in their daily schedule, such as feeding time, playtime, playtime, adopting a new pet, or moving into a new home.
Remember that even slight changes like rearranging furniture or buying new pieces of furniture can upset your feline.
If you’re pregnant or gave birth recently, your cat might feel jealous or confused. Your cat might follow you everywhere when you’re pregnant. So, make sure your cat gets enough attention and cuddles.
Some cats act out after being locked in a room for too long; avoid confining your cat to a room unless necessary (safety reasons, guests allergic to cats, etc.).
Overall, cats don’t like changes. So, if something in their daily life changes, they can express their discomfort by peeing on their owners.
So, My Cat Peed on Me, What Does This Mean?
If your cat pees on you occasionally, don’t worry; they’re not expressing hatred for you. There’s probably a behavioral or medical issue behind this behavior.
However, narrowing down your cat’s weird behavior to just one reason can be hard, as there’s a plethora of possible causes for your cat peeing on you suddenly.
Maybe your vet can help you determine the right cause by ruling out medical issues. You should call a cat behaviorist if there’s nothing wrong with your cat’s health.
Most cat owners take their cat peeing on their lap personally.
If you’re one of those owners and feel offended by your kitten’s behavior, remember that it’s not your cat’s fault; your cat isn’t peeing on you on purpose.
So, put your emotions aside and determine the cause of your cat’s behavior. Here’s a list of helpful tips for handling this issue in the best way possible.
Take Immediate Action
When your cat’s accidentally peeing all over you, they’re probably suffering anxiety and immense stress. So, it’s your cat’s way of saying they need your help.
Schedule a vet appointment immediately, as it’s not common for cats to pee on their owners. In simpler words, it’s not healthy, so there’s probably something wrong with your feline’s health.
Since other signs usually accompany this behavior, like visiting the litter box without peeing, peeing in different places around the home, and other weird behaviors, look for other warning signs. And don’t forget to share your findings with your vet.
Typically, when cats pee on their owners, they have urinary tract infections. So, you must address the situation quickly and prevent further complications.
Buy a Waterproof Couch Protector and Bed Sheets
If your cat has medical issues that cause loss of bladder control, I suggest you buy a waterproof couch protector and waterproof bed covers. They will save money on professional cleaning or replacing furniture.
The best part? They’re removable, so you can take your waterproof couch protector if you have guests over and don’t like how they look.
Extra tip: Inhaling cat urine can worsen your situation if you have respiratory issues.
If you developed respiratory issues after your cat started peeing all over your home, maybe the elevated ammonia levels in your feline’s urine caused your issues in the first place.
Lastly, people with asthma or bronchitis shouldn’t be around cats’ urine. If you have a runny nose, itchy ears, or swollen eyes, your cat’s urine might be the reason.
How to Stop a Cat From Peeing on You?
Most cats hate litter boxes; that’s why they pee in other places.
So, if your cat’s peeing all over your household and you’ve ruled out every medical reason listed above, perhaps there’s a problem with the litter box.
Reconsider Your Cat’s Litter Box Setup
Make your cat’s litter box as appealing as possible. For instance, buy bigger ones if your cat avoids small litter boxes.
Also, leave your cat’s litter boxes uncovered, so your feline gains better access, and avoid covered litter boxes if you have a large or fluffy kitten.
Moreover, place your kitty’s litter boxes in open and private spaces. Never put your feline’s litter boxes near their eating and drinking bowls.
Lastly, if you have a senior cat, ensure easy access. If your current litter box doesn’t enable easy entrance, get a shallow container or add a ramp at the opening.
Make Sure Your Cat’s Happy
You know your cat better than anyone else. So, you can probably think of a reason or two why your cat’s peeing everywhere, including yourself.
If you have a good idea of what’s making your kitty unhappy in your house, address the issue quickly. For instance, if your kitten lacks interactive toys, playtime, vertical space, and treats, provide all those things and see if anything changes.
If you improve your cat’s environment, but they still seem unhappy, your vet may help with a prescription drug or supplement for your cat’s stress and anxiety.
Final Words
Cats aren’t simple. On the contrary, they’re very complex creatures. So, determining what’s causing a change in their behavior can be difficult.
I suggest you rule out medical issues first, like urinary tract infection, and then if your cat’s in good health, you can consult a cat behaviorist for help with their inappropriate elimination.
Remember that it’s not your cat’s fault. If your cat pees on you, that doesn’t mean they hate you. So, instead of getting angry, provide extra TLC and help your cat’s issue.
See more: How Long Can Cats Hold Their Pee?
*image by MNStudio/depositphotos
