What To Do If Your Cat Keeps Peeing Against the Wall

Has your cat been peeing on the wall recently? While it can feel frustrating (and a little confusing!), it’s actually quite common for cats to urinate outside the litter tray.

Unwanted urination, where a cat repeatedly pees against the wall or other vertical surfaces in the home, isn’t just your cat being “naughty”. It’s actually your cat trying to communicate something important about how they’re feeling or what’s happening in their environment.

So, when you catch your cat peeing against the wall, it’s important to work out the reasons why and take measures to resolve and redirect!

Cats Spraying on the Wall: Urine Marking or Unwanted Urination?

To address the issue of why cats pee on the wall – or why they pee indoors generally – we first need to understand the difference between urine marking (spraying) and house soiling (unwanted urination).

First up, let’s take a look at urine marking in cats.

What is Urine Marking (Spraying) in Cats?

Urine marking and spraying are a natural form of cat communication. There are many reasons why cats spray, including to:

• Define their territory

• Alert other cats to their presence

• Communicate to other cats that they’re looking for a mate

• Respond to stressful situations

Outdoors, this behaviour is completely normal – you’ll often see cats spraying trees, bushes, fences, and other objects. Spraying indoors can also be a natural behaviour for cats, but it can be more challenging for humans to manage. When it happens inside, it’s worth considering whether your cat is feeling unsettled or insecure.

Signs of Feline Urine marking

When a cat is peeing on the wall, there are several signs that indicate this is urine marking:

• Your cat stands upright with their tail raised (often quivering).

• A small amount of urine is sprayed backwards onto a vertical surface.

• The urine is often found on vertical surfaces such as walls, doors, windows, curtains, or furniture.

When marking, a cat’s urine smells particularly pungent. This is because the urine is concentrated and contains additional chemicals used for communication.

It’s also worth noting that even if your cat is spraying on the wall, they will often continue to use their litter tray for normal toileting.

Why Do Cats Urine Mark Against Walls and Doors?

Urine marking indoors is commonly triggered by stress or changes in your cat’s environment. These changes may seem small to us, but they can feel significant to your cat.

Common triggers for urine marking and spraying indoors include:

• Changes in routine

• New people or other cats joining the household

• Visitors or increased household activity

• Redecorating or moving furniture

• The arrival of a new baby

• Seeing unfamiliar cats outside

In these situations, spraying against the wall helps your cat feel more secure by leaving their scent in areas where they feel less safe.

How to Stop Your Cat from Urine Marking Indoors

As soon as you notice your cat urine marking, it’s important to act quickly and calmly:

• Clean affected areas as soon as possible using methods such as an enzymatic cleaner, baking soda or warm soapy water

• Avoid ammonia-based products, as they can smell like urine and encourage repeat marking

• Reduce stressors where possible and maintain a consistent routine

• Support your cat’s emotional well-being by creating a calm and predictable environment

Using FELIWAY Optimum in areas where your cat spends the most time can also help them feel more secure. FELIWAY Optimum releases natural feline pheromones helping to comfort cats and reduce stress-related behaviours. FELIWAY Classic Spray can also be applied to previously marked areas to discourage repeat behaviour.

What is House Soiling (Unwanted Urination) in Cats?

If you see your cat squatting and peeing on a horizontal surface, such as a carpet, cushions, or your bed – or indeed anything else outside the litter tray – they are likely house soiling, rather than urine marking.

This behaviour is often linked to discomfort, stress, or issues with the litter tray setup. 

Why Do Cats Urinate Outside the Litter Tray?

There are two main categories for feline house soiling to consider:

Medical Causes

Health issues can affect your cat’s toileting behaviour. These may include:

• Urinary tract infections

• Bladder stones or inflammation

• Kidney disease, diabetes, or other conditions that increase urination

If your cat’s behaviour changes suddenly, always consult your vet to rule out medical causes.

Behavioural & Environmental Causes

Your cat may avoid the litter tray if it doesn’t meet their needs. For example:

• The tray is too small or difficult to access

• It’s placed in a noisy or busy area

• The litter type is unsuitable

• The tray isn’t cleaned frequently enough

• They aren’t enough litter trays or they aren’t spread out in a multi-cat household

Older cats may also struggle with mobility, making it harder to use certain types of litter trays.

Tips to Help Prevent Unwanted Urination

If your cat is urinating outside the litter tray, there are several practical steps you can take:

• Clean and, if necessary, temporarily block access to soiled areas

• Ensure easy access to litter trays at all times

• Provide one litter tray per cat, plus one extra, in separate locations

• Place trays in quiet, private areas away from food and water

• Experiment with different litter types to find your cat’s preference

• Make sure trays are large enough and easy to enter, especially for older cats

• Clean trays regularly and avoid strong-smelling cleaning products

You can also try placing a litter tray in the area your cat has chosen (after cleaning thoroughly), as they may feel more comfortable toileting there.

Supporting Your Cat At Home

Maintaining a consistent routine and ensuring your cat has access to key resources – including food, water, resting areas, scratching posts, and safe hiding spaces – can all help reduce stress-related behaviours.

Never punish your cat for urinating outside the litter tray. This can actually increase anxiety and make the problem worse. Instead, focus on understanding the cause and supporting your cat in a calm and reassuring way.

One of the best ways to do this is by using a FELIWAY Optimum diffuser to help create a more secure and comforting environment. This is great for reducing stress-related behaviours such as urine marking and is perfect for restoring harmony in your home. 

No More Cats Peeing on the Wall!

Whether your cat is spraying or house soiling, remember: this behaviour is a form of communication, not misbehaviour! By identifying the underlying cause and making small, supportive changes, you can help your cat feel more secure and comfortable again.

If you’d like to know more tips about leaving cats home alone, check out all our other fantastic blogs online! Or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – we’ll be delighted to share all the insights we can. And while you’re here, don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date with all our latest news, articles, and products