Why Do Cats Pee In The Shower – 5 Weird Reasons

When cats seek a spot to use the bathroom outside of their litter box, the shower is often one of their favorite places to pee. While it may seem like a random spot to go, this is a very common problem that cat owners often commiserate about together. So, why do cats pee in the shower?

Cats pee in the shower because the shower or bathtub has a similar feel to their litter box. Some cats genuinely get a little confused and start believing that a shower or bathtub is a big litter box for their own bathroom needs. 

Let’s dive more into this odd behavior, and discuss some ways we can help stop this behavior.

Reasons Cats Pee In the Shower  

Cats peeing in the shower isn’t a new thing, but sometimes it’s quite concerning. Here are a few things to look out for.

Your Cat Has Developed A Bad Habit 

Sometimes all it takes is for your cat to pee in the shower one time, and then they develop a bad habit of doing it all the time. They might do this because they get away without reprimand if you did not notice. Sometimes cats are compelled to pee in spots where they can smell past urine. That is one reason it is so important to remove any urine stains from your home, as it may lead to your cat peeing in that spot over and over again.

They Can’t Find Their Own Litter Box 

When a cat is in a pinch to go to the bathroom, they might pee in the shower or bathtub because it is the best option they can find at the moment. While this is frustrating, you should be thankful your cat did use the bathroom in a place that is easier to clean up than on carpet floors or a piece of nice furniture. 

If you have a larger house or a home with two stories, you might consider adding an additional litter box in a different spot in your home to ensure your cat is never too far away from one. 

Your Cat is Mistaking the Shower As A Big Litter Box 

It may not seem logical, but your cat might truly be mistaking the shower as a really big litter box. They might see it as another alternative option to their litter box conveniently there for them to use. The shape and size of a shower and the fact there is a drain where the pee can drain away may keep them coming back as they have decided your shower is their new favorite litter box in the house. 

They Don’t Like Their Litter Box 

Cats seeking alternative options around your home to their litter box may be doing so because they do not like their current litter box. It is easy to test this theory based on whether your cat suddenly has bathroom accidents after a recent change to their litter box situation. Cats that have lived their entire life indoors are typically very used to only using the litter box to go the bathroom, so if they suddenly stop, it may mean something is wrong with the litter box they have. 

Your Cat Has Bladder Troubles 

Your cat may just be using the bathroom in your shower because that was the closest spot they could find when the urge to pee struck them. Your cat may start having more accidents all over your home if they have bladder troubles and not just in your shower. This might happen if your cat is waiting too long to go to the litter box or if they have some blockage preventing them from peeing correctly. 

Is It Normal For Cats to Pee In The Shower

While it is not normal behavior, the shower is where a cat may seek to use the bathroom if something prevents them from making it to its litter box. Some cats are very particular about their litter box conditions, and they might get upset if you have taken too many days to change their litter. Cats do not like dirty litter, so they may stop using their litter box if they are unhappy with its condition. 

Why Does My Cat Pee On My Shower Mat

Cats that pee on shower mats might be doing this to mark the shower mat as their territory. If you have a cat that also spends time outside, they might pee on your shower mat because the texture of the shower mat reminds them of peeing on the grass outside.

How Do I Stop My Cat From Peeing In The Shower

If your cat seems to gravitate towards peeing in your bathroom, consider placing their litter box in that room to persuade them to redirect their activities, hopefully. You might want to go as far as putting the litter box in the shower for a while to see if that helps train them. If you find no methodology is effective, make sure to keep the door to your bathroom closed so that your cat is unable to get into the room to use the bathroom there.

This way, you will be able to tell if your cat is specifically using your shower to go to the bathroom or if they are having accidents in other places around your home instead. 

Things To Consider

If you have a male cat, they may have urinary obstruction, causing them to have more random accidents around your home. A urinary obstruction occurs when the urethra has an obstruction, preventing the urine from draining out of their body. The blockage might be caused by several materials, including mucus, crystals, or small stones from the kidney. There is also some evidence to support that male cats that are neutered too early can develop this condition more frequently. 

Usually, the vet will run some diagnostic testing to confirm that this is the issue your cat is facing, and if that is the case, they will send your cat in for emergency surgery as needed to remove the blockage. It is common for this to be a repeat problem, so if your cat has had a urinary obstruction in the past, it is something to be mindful of moving forward.