Help! My cat keeps peeing in the bathtub instead of the litter box.

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Ragdoll | Male | neutered | 4.8 lbs

We found out our 6 month old ragdoll was peeing in the bathtub which is less than 1 metre from the litter box. We then covered the bathtub with a glass table top and he seems to still jump up and pee on top when we're not around. He drinks plenty of water and eats fine and is on a very good diet. Could this just be his habit or are there any recommendations as we were thinking of getting him a second litter box and putting it on top of the bath. Any suggestions or help please. Thankyou.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Debi Matlack 50

Veterinary Technician

Published on April 28th, 2019

Inappropriate elimination in cats is often a behavioral problem rather than a medical problem, so the first step is to have him seen by your vet to eliminate any kind of illness or condition as a cause for his eliminating outside the box. If medical issues are ruled out, take a look at other reasons. Has there been a lot of unusual activity? Has your cat been left at home or boarded? Is the litterbox in a busy area? Has anything happened recently in this area to make him reluctant to use it again? Is there another cat, pet or person that is preventing him from getting to the box? Have you changed it from a hooded to an open box, or vice versa? Is it big enough? Have you changed the type or brand of litter? Is there something attractive about the spot he uses? Cats dislike disturbances to their routine and may act out to express their dissatisfaction. The general rule is one litter box per cat in the household, plus one. That way each cat can have a place of their own to go in case the box is occupied or another cat has claimed it as territory. They should be scooped daily, if not more often and changed completely weekly, washed with soap and water only. You can offer one kind of litter in one box and another kind in another to see if there is a preference. I don't recommend the crystals, it makes a hissing sound when wet that startles some cats and make them reluctant to use it again. The litter boxes should be located in a quiet, low-traffic area so that the cat can use them in peace. Make sure any other pets or people aren't giving them a hard time around or in the litter box. It may take some investigation and experimentation to find your cat's preference and accommodate him so that everyone is satisfied with the situation. And, when cleaning up pet accidents, don’t use any cleaner containing ammonia. This leaves behind a scent similar to urine which can encourage a cat to return to the same place to eliminate.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Help! My cat keeps peeing in the bathtub instead of the litter box.

Most Helpful Answer

Other Answers

Related Questions

What fish dog food helps dry skin if my dog eats Science Diet?

What's the best way to feed my hamster when I'm going on a trip?

Can chickens eat bell peppers daily and what about veggie salads?

Is Purina Layer Pellets good for chickens? What other feeds exist?

My newly adopted pet won't eat hay. What can I do to encourage it?

My mice eat all their food together from one bowl. Is this normal?

Share