At least 10 per cent of all cats develop an elimination problem. Some cats only use their litter boxes for urination or defecation but not for both. Some completely ignore using the litter box. This could be troublesome especially if you found your cat peeing right in the sink. There are many reasons that may prompt your cat to behave that way.
What triggers your cat to pee in the sink?
Avoiding the litter box
There are many reasons why a cat avoids doing its business in the litter box. Mostly, cats will avoid using dirty litter boxes. Cats are very clean animals that like their surroundings to also be clean. Aside from that, cats can be picky and may find the litter box, the litter and its location or all three unsavory. Your cat may still continue to use the litter box, but only inconsistently.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) or other Health-Related Condition
Any medical condition that interferes with a cat’s normal urination behavior can cause litter problems. Inflammation of the urinary tract can make urinating painful and increase the frequency and urgency of urination. This experience can cause a cat to urinate outside the litter box, particularly if it associates the litter box with pain.
Elderly cats
Just like in humans, aging pets will undergo changes to their physical and mental health. Their chance of getting feline dementia increases. This dysfunction in their brain will influence their awareness, learning, memory, and responsiveness. With this, your cat may forget about using the litter box and use your sink instead.
Behavioral problems
Although it may look like cats have easy lives, the truth is, that they can get stressed very easily. Common examples of situations that may be stressful for cats are changes in routine, moving to a new home, new guests visiting, the presence of a new baby, and veterinary visits. When cats get stressed, they may show unusual behaviors. You will notice changes in their behavior in eating, affection, and sometimes, urination and defecation.
How to prevent your cat from peeing in the sink?
Since there are many reasons why a cat pees in the sink, preventing it will have different procedures.
If your cat is avoiding the cat litter, check first why your cat does so. Check the litter box and see if it’s clean. If the litter box is dirty, you simply need to clean it on a regular basis. A good way that also eliminates smells is to clean the litter box with bleach. If you observe that your feline is not using the litter box because of its location, you can just place it in an area where it feels comfortable. You can change the litter or litter box if your cat is not in tune with it.
If you’re suspecting your cat has a UTI or other medical condition, consult your vet as early as possible. The best person to diagnose and treat your cat is your vet. Aside from the treatment, a vet can give further advice as to prevent your cat from peeing outside its litter box.
If your cat is showing unusual behaviors during urination or constantly urinating in your sink, it’s important to identify any stressors your cat may be experiencing. If the stressor is identified quickly and the cat gets the special attention it needs, the urinary issues may subside right away.
For an old cat, provide support for your cat through this stage of its life. Avoid sudden changes to its daily routine and try not to move anything around the house, especially its food bowls and litter box. This will make it easier for your cat to navigate around the house and minimize the chance of them being lost or confused.
How to get rid of the cat urine smell in the sink?
If your cat has been peeing in your sink, cleaning it is the first challenge. The smell could be very sticky. Removing it with only water is usually not enough. Below are tools or cleaners you can use to get rid of the cat urine smell.
Before that, be warned of using other disinfectants or cleaners. You may opt for ammonia or bleach to clean and remove the smell of cat urine. These two are not recommended because they are extremely dangerous when mixed with cat urine. Adding ammonia will make the cat urine smell worse since the urine contains ammonia already. Mixing bleach and ammonia is extremely dangerous. Anyone can die from inhaling the fumes it creates.
Remember to use safe products and read instructions if there are any. The suggested cleaners below are effective to use:
1. Enzymatic Spray
An enzymatic cleaner is an effective tool to eliminate cat odors. It works by breaking down the acid in cat urine and using helpful bacteria to neutralize the bad bacteria in cat pee. It will leave your sink sanitary and smell-free once dry. There are a number of enzymatic cleaners in pet stores and home improvement stores. Just be sure to use it as instructed as the potency of this cleaner can be weakened when combined with other cleaning chemicals.
2. Baking Soda
A natural deodorizer, baking soda is also a good option to remove the urine smell in your sink. Baking soda is composed of sodium bicarbonate which is great at absorbing odors. After cleaning the cat’s urine, sprinkle baking soda on the surface. Let it sit for an hour or longer then scrape the sink using a scrubbing brush. Then rinse the sink.
3. Vinegar Solution
A cheaper option is to use a vinegar solution. Vinegar is also a natural deodorizer that will help in removing the stink from a cat’s urine. You can make a vinegar solution by simply combining water with vinegar. Mix one part vinegar and 8 parts water in a container. Put the solution into the sink and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub the sink with the mix then rinse it.