My 6-year-old cat suddenly started peeing on the bathroom rug instead of in her litter box. She has always been perfectly trained. Nothing has changed in the house.
When a previously litter-trained cat suddenly stops using the box, the first thing to rule out is a medical issue. Urinary tract infections, kidney problems, and bladder crystals cause pain during urination, and cats associate that pain with the litter box. They seek softer surfaces like rugs and laundry because they are more comfortable. Please take her to the vet for a urinalysis before assuming this is behavioral. If the vet clears her medically, then look at environmental factors. How clean is the litter box? Cats can become more fastidious with age. Scoop daily and fully change the litter weekly. How many litter boxes do you have? The rule is one per cat plus one extra. Try adding a second box in a different location. Did you change the litter brand? Some cats reject new textures or scents. Have there been any changes you might not think of as significant? A new piece of furniture, a neighborhood cat visible through the window, a change in your schedule, or even a new detergent can trigger stress urination in sensitive cats. For now, clean the accidents with an enzymatic cleaner like Nature Miracle, not regular cleaner or vinegar. Cats can smell residual urine that humans cannot and will return to the same spot.
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