How to Protect Furniture from Cat Pee

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Sitting down on the couch after a long day can definitely relieve some stress. Plopping down into a wet puddle, however, is not so pleasant. If you find yourself in this scenario more often than not, you’ve come to the right place. 

In this article, we’ll introduce you to a few products that will help keep your couch safe from your cat’s tendency to mark their territory at your expense. Knowing how to protect your furniture from cat pee is only half the battle though.

We’ll also help you understand what might be causing this behavior, which could help you tackle the main root of the issue as well. 

Are you ready for a cat pee-free couch? Let’s get started with some products you can invest in to keep your furniture safe from cat pee. 

The KEBE Waterproof Clear Plastic Couch Cover for Pets makes it easy to protect your couch from unwanted cat urine. The strong plastic stands up to claws and easily wipes clean in case of any accidents.

We also picked this waterproof couch cover because it’s reusable and thicker than the standard couch cover. Designed to fit around the entire couch, this couch cover features heat-sealed center bindings to prevent tears as you move around on the couch.

One feature you might not have considered with a plastic couch cover is that it deters cat hair from sticking to the couch as well. Cat hair can be difficult to remove, especially if it’s starkly in contrast to the color of your couch. If you’re worried about pet hair, this plastic couch cover should be at the top of your shopping list.

If you own a brand new couch or even one that’s showing normal wear and tear, this waterproof couch cover from KEBE should extend the life of your sofa while protecting it from unwanted cat pee or any other staining liquids.

If you’re looking for couch covers that are almost more like waterproof blankets, the Easy-Going Waterproof Sofa Slipcover with Pockets will feel like more of a gift to yourself than a way to prevent cat urine from soaking into your sofa.

Easy-Going produces these couch covers in multiple sizes and colors. This can definitely help you pick out the right combination for your style and particular couch. For example, if you have a leather couch, you may want to contrast the sofa slipcover with the finish of the leather. If you’ve recently purchased a new couch, being able to switch between cover styles and sizes may be useful as well.

One of the best things about these couch covers is that there are integrated pockets within the fabric arm flaps. The fabric itself is quilted as well, for that extra luxurious feeling. If you want to protect your new sofa from your animals, check out the Easy-Going Sofa Slipcover with Pockets.

For those of you who don’t want to invest in a fabric couch cover, this clear plastic cover from LAMINET will do the trick just fine. It’s heavy-duty, but also clear so that you can enjoy the couch you purchased without having to worry about any stains.

LAMINET allows you to purchase this couch cover for an armchair/recliner, a large sofa, a loveseat sofa, or simply a sofa in general. Dimensions vary based on which type of cover you select, so you can easily choose which set will serve you best based on what your couch measures.

Even if you do eventually break your cat off their behavior of peeing in one spot on the couch, these covers can also double as a protective layer for storage, home renovations, or whatever else you may need to protect your couch against. Plus, it sheds pet hair, as well as your cat or dog, does!

You’ll probably sleep as soundly as the dog in this picture with the AUJOY Waterproof couch cover. This particular cover looks and feels like a second skin on your couch, which could actually be a good alternative if you need a new couch but can’t afford one at the moment. It’s also a great protector against unwanted cat pee.

You can purchase this couch cover in small, medium, large, and extra-large dimensions. There are a variety of colors available in each size as well. The cover itself is made from a polyester and spandex blend, which gives it that snug fit.

The best part about these couch covers is that you can pop them into your washing machine and refresh them at any time. They’re also affordable enough to allow you to invest in a few so changing them out doesn’t mean you leave the couch unprotected.

We chose the PureFit Reversible Water Resistant Washable Quilted furniture protector for our list because it’s a waterproof blanket that doubles as a luxury finish for your couch. The quilted pattern gives a comfortable feel, while the reversibility allows for a change in décor if you prefer.

PureFit sells this fancy waterproof blanket in large, extra-large, and extra extra large. You can also choose between a number of two-toned color schemes to match what you’ve got going on style-wise in your home.

Foam anchors keep this blanket tucked in where it can stay snugly fit. Elastic bands give the blanket hold on the back of the couch, so you’re not fighting the material to stay behind you as you watch TV or hang out with friends, animals, and family. Best of all, this blanket is machine washable.

Last but not least on our list, the Granbest Premium Water Repellent 2-Piece couch protector makes taking care of your couch a rewarding task. The super-soft fabric allows for a blanket-like feel, which can turn any couch in your house into a comfy, cozy place to spend time with your pet.

Granbest sells this couch cover in three sizes, as well as a variety of colors. The material itself has a stretchiness built into it for a more conforming fit that accentuates the features of your couch. It goes on easy but also comes off easily as well in order to wash. Simply throw it in your washing machine and even after a few spin cycles, it’ll continue to deliver protection.

What to Look For in a Cat Furniture Protector

Investing in a quality furniture protector could mean the difference between keeping your couch clean and having to replace it. Here are a few characteristics you’ll want to look for in a quality furniture protector.

Easy to Clean

The best furniture protectors are easy to clean in case of an accident. Many furniture covers are plastic, which makes it easy to simply wipe away any messes that may occur. You can do this with a wet cloth and then let the plastic cover air dry or wipe it with a paper towel.

Furniture covers can also be cloth, which is most often machine washable. This can make it easy to not only clean any accidents up, but to switch covers out every so often from daily use. Most waterproof furniture covers are also machine washable.

Quality Fit

Not every couch measures the same, but the best couch covers are those that mold to your particular couch in order to provide the most coverage. After all, having a couch cover that doesn’t protect a certain spot is one that will be useless if your cat pees right where the cover isn’t.

A couch cover that fits well also ensures the couch still feels comfortable when you sit on it. Couch covers that fit too tight can turn fluffy cushions into lumpy surfaces that are hard to sit on. If you’re looking for the best couch cover, find one that fits like a second skin.

Thick Material

We’re talking specifically about cat pee in this article, but cat claws can also be a nuisance when it comes to your couch. That’s why having a couch cover that’s thick enough to repel cat claws can also come in handy.

Thick materials can be plastic or some type of cloth. Plastic furniture covers typically are made of a thicker material so that pet claws don’t stick through them, but the same can be said for other materials as well. In fact, tightly woven cloth strands might be more effective at standing up against claws than a thick plastic cover.

Material Type and Color

This last characteristic may or may not be high on your list, but it’s still a consideration when purchasing couch covers. For instance, you may want to keep your décor in mind when you purchase a couch cover because if the cover doesn’t match what you’ve already got going on, it’s going to stick out like a sore thumb. Or, perhaps even a puddle of urine, as it were.

The material from which the couch cover is made could be important to you as well. We’ve included both plastic and fabric couch covers on our list, which cover the most common types of couch covers. However, you can also invest in waterproof blankets, such as the Mambe blanket. The Mambe blanket is a certain brand of blanket that is waterproof as well as versatile. It can be used indoors for pets or even as a raincoat or outdoor blanket to take camping.

The best couch covers are those that do their job while still blending in with your home. They’re valuable without having to be noticeable.

Potential Causes of Cat Peeing on Furniture 

After seeing a puddle of urine on your couch, you might feel tempted to yell at your cat and discipline them. However, your cat might be trying to tell you something in its own way. 

Here are a few reasons why your cat might be peeing on your furniture. 

Marking Territory

Scent plays a huge role in the animal kingdom and the same is true for cats. Marking territory is a way to tell other cats, “Hey, this is my home.” But while that behavior might work outdoors, it’s not so great inside the house. 

Cats typically mark their territory because there are other cats around. If you’ve welcomed a new feline friend into the home recently, this could be the cause for your cat’s marking. 

Male cats are often the culprit for marking territory, or “spraying.” This spraying does use urine in order to mark a scent, but it’s much different than actually peeing. Rather than just voiding their bladder, male cats (and female cats as well) spray their scent in order to make their mark on the area. 

One of the easiest ways to curb a cat peeing on the couch is to neuter your male cats early on. Neutering male cats later on in life can help as well, but you’re also working against habit at that point. If the cat has a habit of peeing on the couch, neutering may not put a dent in this behavior. 

Dirty Litter Box 

Cleaning a litter box has never been and never will be a glamorous job. That being said, it’s essential to keep the litter box clean if you want your cats to use it. After all, would you want to use a dirty toilet? 

There are a few factors you’ll want to pay attention to when it comes to the litter box. Besides keeping it clean, you’ll also want to keep enough cat litter in the pan to let your cats do their business. Some cats prefer to have more litter, while others are okay with just a shallow layer in the litter tray. 

You may need to experiment with certain types of cat litter as well. Cats may associate a particular scent of cat litter with peeing, so that could work in your favor. You’ll also want to have enough cat litter boxes for the number of cats in your household. Each cat should have their own litter box, along with one extra.  

Enclosed litter boxes may keep litter inside, but they can also become an issue for some cats. Squatting to pee typically puts a cat in a compromising position, so they like to have a clear view during this process. Otherwise, you can create stress in an environment where the cat should feel comfortable enough to do their business. 

Stress and/or Anxiety 

Cats may like to sleep a lot, but they’re actually just as fond of routines as we are. A change in routine, or sometimes no routine at all, can cause a cat to have anxiety. This anxiety can cause a cat to pee wherever it feels a sense of insecurity, which may or may not be on your couch. 

Separation anxiety can also cause this behavior, especially if you’ve spent large amounts of time with your cat in the past and reduced that greatly. It might have been great during the pandemic to have a furry friend to hang out with, but they’re feeling the effects of it once you go back to work.   

Stress in general can also contribute to these unwanted behaviors. If there’s anything that’s changed drastically in your routine lately, your cat could be feeling the effects. Pay attention to their behaviors and see if there are any times where you can incorporate your cat so they feel appreciated and loved. 

Instinctual 

We don’t necessarily think of the couch as a “high” place in the home, but your cat might. These high places are a great way to get away from any potential threats on the ground. If your cat feels safe and up high on the couch, they may use it as a litter box to avoid being surprised. 

Underlying Medical Issues

It’s hard to be good when you’re sick, especially if you can’t speak the same language as your owners. For cats, medical issues manifest in their behavior. If you notice a difference in your cat’s behavior beyond just the peeing issue, there may be a medical issue at the heart of it all.

Cats pee on furniture if they are experiencing incontinence issues, such as lower urinary tract infections, diabetes, and even arthritis. There may also be something mentally going on as well. If you’re concerned about your cat’s health, make an appointment with your local veterinarian. They should be able to do some blood work in order to see what’s going on with your furry family member. If it’s a urinary tract infection, your vet can easily prescribe medicine in order to take care of the issue.

Age

As we get older, our bodies tend to not function as well as they used to. The same is true for cats. As they age, they can have more issues with basic processes, which may or may not have underlying medical causes. Cats that are long in the tooth may just need some extra care when it comes to using the bathroom. Check-in with your local vet to see if these issues may be old age, or may be linked to some other medical condition.

Alternative Methods for Protecting Furniture from Cat Pee 

Cat owners know that sometimes you have to outsmart a cat. This is true for problems with your cat peeing on the couch. If you’ve ruled out a medical condition as the cause of your cat’s behavior and perhaps a couch cover isn’t doing the trick, there are a few alternative methods you can use in order to curb this behavior.

For example, your cat may have formed a habit when it comes to peeing on the couch. For them, this is normal behavior now. The trick is to reverse that habit and introduce a “new” normal behavior. This could come in the form of discipline every time the behavior happens, or it could be resolved by changing the conditions to become unfavorable. But what does that all mean?

Forming a New Habit

In practice, this looks pretty straightforward. Discipline might include a spray bottle and a squirt every time your cat begins to pee on the couch. As we mentioned, animals tend to feel vulnerable at the moment they’re relieving themselves, so this stimulation could deter them from peeing on the couch thereafter.

However, you may not always be home when your cat decides to pee on the couch. In this case, you’ll want something there to create the same effect. Many cat owners place tinfoil or double sided tape pads down on their counters if their cat likes to jump up there. This stimulation on their paws is not comfortable and, if they experience it enough times as they perform this jumping behavior, they’ll tend to reduce that behavior in order to minimize the bad experience.

At the same time, these methods may or may not work for your cat. In those cases, there are a few different products you can try.

Aromatherapy

Both FELIWAY and Comfort Zone have created sprays that you can use to relay to your cat that they live in a safe environment where marking (and even scratching) are not necessary. These smells will get the message across without having to discipline your feline friends.

For example, the FELIWAY Classic Cat Calming Pheromone Diffuser 30-Day Starter Kit is a relatively inexpensive alternative to deter cat pee where it’s not wanted. If your pets feel anxious, this diffuser can emit calming scents that decrease stress and increase relaxation. Your cats shouldn’t feel the need to mark everywhere, which will cut down on the cat urine in your home.

The Comfort Zone Spray & Scratch Control counterattacks two common issues for cat lovers: cat urine and scratching. Your cat may think your couch is not only a litter box, but a scratching post as well. With this spray, you can protect your couch and house from these issues, without having to discipline your pets. No more wear and tear on your couch or bodily fluids stinking up the living room.

What Can I Use to Clean Cat Urine?

One of the first steps you should take in dealing with your cat’s peeing issue is to clean all the areas where the cat peed. You definitely don’t want to put a couch cover over pee that hasn’t been cleaned, as the cat urine smell will just reinforce to your cat that the couch is a prime spot to pee. 

Purchase an enzyme cleaner to clean up the cat pee, as well as take care of the odor. Most pet stores should have some type of enzyme cleaner available on their shelves. When mixed with hot water, enzymes not only soak into fabrics and eat away at the contaminants within, but they also prevent any further bacteria from taking hold. After soaking your fabrics with the enzyme, allow them to dry completely before placing any protective covers over the fabric. 

You can also use a bit of baking soda and a damp cloth to clean up cat pee as well. While it’s not as high-tech as enzyme cleaners, it’s a good solution in a pinch. The most important thing is that you wash the area where the cat peed in order to reduce the smell so that your cat doesn’t associate that area with a place to pee.

A Home Free of Cat Pee 

We hope this article has helped you find a solution to your cat peeing on the furniture. There are many reasons why your cat might be marking around your home, some of them potentially life-threatening. Understanding why this behavior continues is just as important as preventing it in the future. After all, a happy cat makes a happy home.