Why do cats pee on things instead of using a litter box

Un-neutered male cats often "spray" their territory.

Other than that, it's usually it's either a stress response to some change in environment or because they don't like their litter box for some reason.

Most cats don't like their litter box and food dishes anywhere near each other. Some cats dislike scented litter. Some are VERY picky about what sort of litter there is, and how clean it is. I have one cat who won't use anything but clumping litter with baking soda in it to kill the smell. And he wont' share his box with the other cat. And he will pee on the floor next to the box if it's at all dirty, and will choose instead to pee on ANYTHING cloth if it's on the floor in the room, instead of his box.

Try first removing anything else he's peeing on if you can... or at least cover it in plastic so he doesn't hurt it! Then adjust what litter you're using, and be sure to clean (and WASH) the box at least once a month, probably more often. And make sure it's not in a "public" area and you're not watching him go in it, and not near his food area either. Good luck - this can be a challenge with a difficult cat.

Cats can pee outside of their literbox for several different reasons.

1) they feel threatened and want to mark their territory. This can especially be the case with multiple cats in the same house or when moving a cat to a new location.

2) they have a kidney or other health problem which lessens their ability to control it.

3) they are a non-neutered male cat and just generally want to mark their territory

4) they are unhappy with their litterbox because it is too dirty

5) they are unhappy with their litterbox because it doesn't seem "right" (change in brand of litter, type of litterbox, etc.)

My cats pee in the litter box.

I peed everywhere till my mum showed me a potty.

My cat just started peeing under my husband's office chair and now on it. I have no idea why she's doing this - we are using the same litter product, the same Arm & Hammer deodorizer and I clean her box every day. She also likes to go out to the patio y pees there too. She has a very neurotic personality, but she's started to pee on this particular spot recently. Prior to that she has sporadically peed on duffle bags, carpets, paper, plastic, on top of the dryer, etc. It's a miracle she's still around. This is a whole new ball game. We're going to take her for a checkup to see if it's her kidneys, although I think she would benefit more from a cat psychiatrist than a vet. What's funny is she my husband is her favorite person. She doesn't do any of these ridiculous things to me - she knows better.

Naked aggression. Anne's cat, Milky, only pees on her husband's shoes. Running shoes, dress shoes, new shoes, old shoes, are all peed on by this cat, which Anne had had for a few years before she married Nick. Bastard cat!!!