Why is my cat peeing in my plant pots?

International Cat Care says: Cats naturally dig a hole in the soil to deposit their urine or faeces and then cover it up. The ASPCA says: Some cats develop preferences for eliminating on certain surfaces or textures like carpet, potting soil or bedding.

How do I stop my cat digging in houseplant pots?

University of Minnesota Extension says: Putting a screen or foil with a few holes in over the soil may deter the cats from digging into the pots. The ASPCA says: You can also make surfaces less pleasant to stand on by placing upside-down carpet runners, tin foil or double-sided sticky tape where your cat has eliminated in the past.

Cat Peeing in Plant Pots: Cleanup and Prevention

Q: What litter box changes help?

The ASPCA says: Make sure you have one for each cat in your household, plus one extra. Cornell says: Most cats prefer a location that is quiet, private, separate from their feeding area, and easily accessible 24 hours a day. Humane World for Animals says: Cats tend to prefer fine-grained litter that mimics the texture of sand, reflecting their desert ancestry.

Q: Are my houseplants toxic to cats?

Check the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List. The ASPCA says: This list contains plants that have been reported as having systemic effects on animals and/or intense effects on the gastrointestinal tract.

Your cat has started using a houseplant pot as a toilet: wet soil, a smell around the plant, maybe soil dug out onto the floor. Here is what the ASPCA, Cornell's Feline Health Center, International Cat Care, Cats Protection and university extension services say about why it happens, replacing the soil and steering your cat back to the litter box.

Why cats choose potting soil

International Cat Care says: "Cats naturally dig a hole in the soil to deposit their urine or faeces and then cover it up." Cats Protection says: "Cats like somewhere soft to bury their faeces and will be drawn to newly-dug soil, sand or gravel."

The ASPCA names potting soil directly: "Some cats develop preferences for eliminating on certain surfaces or textures like carpet, potting soil or bedding." Writing about litter, Humane World for Animals says: "Some cats, especially those new to indoor living, may prefer soil or sand mixed with litter."

A habit can form. The ASPCA says: "Once a cat avoids her litter box for whatever reason, her avoidance can become a chronic problem because the cat can develop a surface or location preference for elimination". For more on repeat spots, see why dogs and cats keep peeing in the same spot.

Sources: International Cat Care, How to keep cats off the garden; Cats Protection, Indoor and outdoor cats (PDF); ASPCA, Litter Box Problems; Humane World for Animals, How to Litter Train a Kitten or Cat.

Check the litter box first

Cleanliness. International Cat Care says: "Cats generally don't like using a tray if it's soiled." The ASPCA says: "Virtually all cats like clean litter boxes, so scoop and change your cat's litter at least once a day."

Number of boxes. The ASPCA says: "Make sure you have one for each cat in your household, plus one extra."

Location. Cornell says: "Most cats prefer a location that is quiet, private, separate from their feeding area, and easily accessible 24 hours a day."

Litter type. The ASPCA says: "Cats generally prefer clumping litter with a medium to fine texture." and "Use unscented litter." Humane World for Animals says: "Cats tend to prefer fine-grained litter that mimics the texture of sand, reflecting their desert ancestry."

For the full litter box checklist and carpet cleanup, see cat peeing or pooping outside the litter box.

Sources: International Cat Care, Soiling indoors; ASPCA; Cornell Feline Health Center; Humane World for Animals.

Step 1: Remove the soaked soil and repot

Scent keeps a cat coming back. Cornell says: "Cats will re-soil and spray areas they have marked with their scent, so cleaning cat-soiled items is crucial for breaking the cycle of elimination." International Cat Care says: "The best way to break the habit of soiling indoors outside of the litter tray is to keep your cat away from the area as long as possible and remove any smell that your cat can detect."

We found no extension guidance written for potting soil a cat has urinated in, and none of the sources we checked says how much soil to remove. Extension repotting steps do cover taking a plant out and putting it into fresh mix.

Montana State University Extension: "Gently remove from the pot. If it is stuck, tap the sides and bottom of the pot to loosen or run a knife around the inside edge."
Colorado State University Extension: "Choose a good quality potting mix."
University of Illinois Extension: "Make sure the plant is re-potted at the same depth it was grown in the old pot. Gently press the soil around the roots and water immediately."

Timing and aftercare matter for the plant. Colorado State University Extension says: "Houseplants typically respond best to transplanting in the springtime when they are starting active growth." Montana State University Extension adds: "However, if a plant is showing signs of stress as listed above, repot it anytime."

Sources: Cornell Feline Health Center; International Cat Care, Soiling indoors; Montana State University Extension, How do I repot a houseplant?; Colorado State University Extension, PlantTalk: Houseplants: Repotting; University of Illinois Extension, Repotting.

Step 2: The pot, the saucer and the floor underneath

We found no guidance from cat welfare groups or extension services on cleaning a plant pot or saucer after a cat has urinated in it. Montana State University Extension says, as the last repotting step: "Wipe the outside of the pot to remove soil smudges and place it on the drip tray."

Writing about water, the same page says: "Consider using a waterproof drainage tray underneath to collect water and protect furniture. An unglazed terracotta pot or tray will wick moisture to the surface it sits on and may cause damage."

If the pot stood on a rug, see how to get pee out of an area rug. If it stood on a wooden plant stand or cabinet, see pet urine on wood furniture. If the smell returns after cleanup, see why a pet urine smell came back.

Source: Montana State University Extension.

Step 3: Make the pot less inviting

The ASPCA says: "If your cat seems to prefer eliminating on a certain kind of surface or in a certain location, you'll need to make that surface or its location less appealing." and "You can also make surfaces less pleasant to stand on by placing upside-down carpet runners, tin foil or double-sided sticky tape where your cat has eliminated in the past."

For houseplants, University of Minnesota Extension says: "Putting a screen or foil with a few holes in over the soil may deter the cats from digging into the pots."

Stones and mesh come from garden advice, written for flower beds rather than pots. International Cat Care says "there is no guaranteed way to achieve success" and suggests: "Place pebbles and stones in between plants, as cats naturally avoid these" and "Alternatively, try a mesh barrier over the seedlings". Cats Protection says: "Cats will naturally avoid pebbly or rocky areas, so try using these between your plants". We found no authoritative source on pinecones for this.

The ASPCA says: "If your cat soils in just a few spots, place litter boxes there." and "If it's not possible to put a box in a spot where your cat has eliminated, place her food bowl, water bowl, bed or toys in that area to discourage further elimination."

Do not punish. Cornell says: "House soiling can be a frustrating problem, but you should never hit, kick, or scream at a cat."

Sources: ASPCA; University of Minnesota Extension, House plants and pets; International Cat Care, How to keep cats off the garden; Cats Protection, Keeping cats out of your garden; Cornell Feline Health Center, House Soiling.

Step 4: Make the litter box the better choice

Let your cat pick the litter. The ASPCA says to "be sure to give her multiple kinds of litter to choose from so that she can show you which one she prefers."

Kittens need a box close by. International Cat Care says: "Kittens bladder and bowel control are not as developed as an adult cat, so your kitten must have easy access to a clean litter tray at all times." See our kitten accident cleanup guide.

Sources: ASPCA; International Cat Care, Soiling indoors.

Houseplants that are toxic to cats

While you are repotting, check what the plant is. The ASPCA keeps a searchable plant list and says: "This list contains plants that have been reported as having systemic effects on animals and/or intense effects on the gastrointestinal tract." It also says: "Please note that the information contained in our plants list is not meant to be all-inclusive, but rather a compilation of the most frequently encountered plants." The page lists "ASPCA Poison Control Phone Number: (888) 426-4435".

Source: ASPCA, Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List.

When to see a vet

Cornell says: "Cats who are having problems using the litter box consistently should be checked by a veterinarian."

Source: Cornell Feline Health Center, House Soiling.

Accident on the carpet or couch too?

P-Cleaner is the Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Foaming Liquid from Pet Cleanup Kit. The product listing says: "Works on carpets, upholstery, tile, and more." It is not described for potting soil or plants; for the pot itself, follow the steps above. Follow the directions on the product label.

Buy P-Cleaner on petcleanupkit.com

Quoted from the petcleanupkit.com product listing.