Most cats take to litter box training quickly and permanently but what should you do when the training fails? Inappropriate urination can strain the most dedicated human-pet bond, so it is important to address it right away.
The first step is to make an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out certain medical problems. There can be underlying conditions that are serious and even life-threatening.
Once you have ruled out medical problems, you can focus on the behavioral aspects. First, you must figure out WHY your cat chooses to urinate outside of the box.
There are two patterns to inappropriate urination – identifying the pattern will help your investigation. The first pattern usually involves urinating on vertical surfaces – this is marking behavior (territorial anxiety). The second problem involves house soiling behavior (litter box aversion) and typically involves urinating on horizontal surfaces.
Marking (spraying) is a perfectly normal method of communication between cats. “I was here, this is mine.” So why does your cat feel the need to mark his or her territory? It could be hormonal – is your cat neutered? It could be environmental stress – are you remodeling? Is there a new pet? Are there just too many cats? (Statistically, 100% of households with more than 10 cats will see some spraying.)
Remember – if your cat is marking, it means your cat is anxious. Punishment could make it worse! If you determine that your cat is suffering from territorial anxiety, you may want to discuss anti-anxiety medication with your veterinarian. Neuter or spay all household cats. Look into facial pheromone diffusers which encourage cats to relax.
Now let’s talk about house soiling. Cats are inherently clean animals but they will find another spot if they object to something about the litter box. Your plan of action, in this case, has three parts. First, remove the cause, then re-establish good litter box habits, and finally make soiled areas less appealing.
To remove the cause you must identify it. Consider these possibilities for litter box aversion:
- Is the box in a noisy place?
- Is the box dirty?
- Is the box covered? Covers keep offensive odors and dust away from us but they concentrate in one spot for the poor cat.
- Are you using a litter the cat doesn’t like? Some cats have a strong preference for litter types.
- If your cat is elderly and has arthritis, consider a box with lower sides that is easier to get into.
Next, re-establish good litter box habits. Consider a new, uncovered box. Try a different kind of litter. Be sure your box is big enough and be sure you have enough boxes (Rule of thumb is one box for each cat plus an extra).
And finally, make the soiled areas less appealing. Use commercially available enzymatic cleaners to remove any urine odors from the soiled area so your cat is not drawn back.
Convincing your cat to adopt good litter box habits is challenging but worth it. Consult your veterinarian for more suggestions.
Should you have any questions, comments or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us by phone at 845-876-6008, or by e-mail at [email protected].
Thank you for choosing us to be part of your pet's healthcare team!
With warmest regards,
Your friends at Rhinebeck Animal Hospital