Last updated on December 12th, 2021
Cats are beloved creatures all around the world, and many people have welcomed these furry felines into their homes to be a part of their families.
Having a cat can bring many people joy, and can even help reduce stress and anxiety in their owners. However, there are times when owning a cat can have quite the opposite effect.
When you decide to bring a cat into your life, you have to do a lot of research to determine exactly what your new friend is going to need to remain happy and healthy.
One thing that every cat has to have is a litter box to take care of their business in.
A litter box will ensure that your cat has a secure place to use while making clean up fairly easy.
But sometimes a cat will stop using the litter box and start peeing on things like plastic bags which can be very frustrating for their human friends.
In this article, we’re going to discuss some of the reasons a cat might start peeing on plastic bags instead of using the litter box and what to do if this occurs.
Here are 4 reasons why cats pee on plastic bags:
Stress
Just like people, cats can become stressed, and when this happens it can cause them to start changing their behaviors.
Many things can cause a cat to be stressed such as moving to a new home, having to compete for resources with other pets, unfamiliar cats in or around the home, changes in routine, and many others.
If your cat is starting to pee on plastic bags around the house and you suspect that he’s stressed, look for other signs such as aggressive behavior, withdrawal from the family, excessive grooming, poor appetite, vomiting, and many others.
Anxiety
A cat’s behavior can also be influence by anxiety. Similar to how stress can harm cats, anxiety can cause behavioral and/or health changes.
Some of these changes can include aggression, trying to flee the area, hiding, dilated pupils, rapid breathing, scratching at furniture, and not using the litter box.
While every cat is different, there are some typical causes to look into when trying to figure out if your cat is suffering from anxiety.
Your cat could be suffering from an illness or physical injury, trauma, or improper socialization.
Cats can even suffer from separation anxiety if they’re particularly attached to a specific person.
Medical Problems
There are a variety of medical problems that cats can be suffering from that could cause them to have an aversion to their litter box, ultimately leading them to start peeing on plastic bags.
The most common health problems that can cause a cat to pee outside the litter box are UTIs and bladder stones.
Litter Box
While this may sound a little silly, sometimes the reason a cat may start peeing outside the litter box is due to the litter box itself.
Cats are very finicky creatures, so each animal is going to have their preferences for a litter box and litter types.
Some cats may like litter boxes that are covered while others will only use an open box.
This also goes for different kinds of the litter as the smell and feel of the litter may bother one cat while another may not mind it.
Sometimes the issue may just be not having enough litter boxes in a variety of locations. The general rule of thumb is to have one more litter box than you have cats.
What should I do if my cat is peeing on plastic bags
If you have a cat and notice that he’s peeing on plastic bags, it’s important to remain calm and level-headed about the situation.
A lot of people are quick to yell and punish their cat, however, this can often do more harm than good as the cat won’t understand why its owner is yelling at them.
The first step to figuring out why your cat is starting to pee on plastic bags is to call your vet.
While on the phone with your vet, you’ll be able to go over any possible changes in the environment, routine, or your cat’s normal behaviors that will help indicate to your vet what may be the cause.
If it appears to your vet that the cause for your cat to be peeing on plastic bags is stress or anxiety, your vet may suggest ways to reduce these feelings in your cat such as environment or routine changes, pheromone diffusers, calming collars, or even medication.
After checking for anxiety and stress concerns, your vet may advise you on how to test for litter or litter boxes to see if those may be the cause.
No matter what the problem ultimately is, remember to always stay calm if your cat is starting to pee outside the litter box and on plastic bags.
Cats are just animals, and more often than not they’ll have a good reason for changing their behavior that can be fixed.
