: : Feline Housesoiling : : Inappropriate Soiling : : Why a Cat May Potty Outside of the Litter Box : : Could This be a Medical Problem? : : Taking Care of Business : : If the Problem Is Litter Box Related… : : Spraying: This Land Is My Land! : : Discouraging Stray and Neighbor Cats : : What Not to Do Feline Housesoiling It can be frustrating to live with a wonderful cat that cannot seem to find the way to the litter box. There are many possible reasons for this. If you take a calm, rational approach to uncovering the cause and treating the problem, you will have great chances for success, which begins with the right kitten training. Return to Top Inappropriate Soiling Inappropriate soiling involves the act of squatting to defecate or urinate outside the litter box. This often occurs when something about using the box becomes disagreeable. Pinning down the exact cause is very important and may take some careful thought. Consider any changes that occurred at the time the problem appeared which might have caused the problem. Return to Top Reasons Why a Cat May Potty Outside of the Litter Box Medical problems (bladder infection, intestinal upsets, constipation) The litter box is not cleaned often enough The type of litter (texture or odor) is disagreeable The litter box is located in an area with too much traffic The cat was teased or frightened in or near the box The litter box is too near the food bowl Anxiety (long absences by the owner, punishment, new pets, new baby) Return to Top Could This be a Medical Problem? A variety of medical problems can lead to housesoiling. None of your attempts to guide your cat back to the litter box will work if she has a medical problem that’s undiagnosed and uncorrected. Signs might include: An increase in frequency of urination Large volumes of urine Straining or discomfort when soiling Blood in the urine Diarrhea or constipation If your cat is experiencing these signs, it is important to visit your veterinarian. The doctor may recommend tests for her urine, feces or blood. Return to Top Taking Care of Business Pinpoint and address the cause of the problem. Treatment of housesoiling problems involves three major considerations: Remove the cause Re-establish the habit of litter box use Prevent the cat from returning to previously soiled areas Return to Top If the Problem Is Litter Box Related… Take immediate control of the problem! Clean the litter box more often. To help a timid cat, move it from a busy area to a quiet one. In multi-cat households, it may also help to provide one litter box per cat. Confine the cat to a small area, such as a bathroom, along with the litter box. Most cats prefer using the box rather than the floor. It is then a matter of confining her long enough for a consistent habit to become established. Only allow your cat out of the confined area when you can supervise at all times. Gradually allow more freedom once the litter box has been used in a confined area for one to four consecutive weeks. During this confinement period, remember to play frequently and interact socially with your cat. Let her out often, but only under close supervision. Offer different types of litter to find one your cat prefers. It is better to use another box entirely rather than go through a series of litter changes in one box. Occasionally, some cats prefer actual sand in the box mixed with a few handfuls of soil. If this is the case, gradually replace the sand mix with cat litter after several weeks. Removing the odor from the affected area is important. Use a good commercial product that is specifically made for use on feline stool and urine odors. Most products need to make contact with the urine or stool. Use as directed. To be effective on carpeting or other porous surfaces, you may need to clean more rather than less. If nothing else is available, a 50:50 mixture of white vinegar and warm water will do a good job. Safeguard previously soiled areas by placing motion-detector alarms, food bowls, bedding or toys on them. Plastic, foil or double-stick carpet tape can also be used. If your cat has developed a preference for the bathtub or sink, an inch of water in these locations will curb soiling there. Move furniture or close doors to deny the pet access to previously soiled areas. You may consider placing a litter box where the cat has been soiling. Return to Top Spraying: This Land Is My Land! Spraying occurs when a cat backs up to an upright surface and sprays it with urine. Cats do this to mark territory. Marking may occur when: Your cat feels his territory is being invaded Your cat becomes anxious When neighborhood cats visit or when there are too many cats in the home Return to Top Discouraging Stray and Neighbor Cats Outdoor cats can often cause yours to spray. Remove anything from your yard that might attract stray and neighbor cats. Items might include bird feeders, garbage or food. Call your animal control officer to pick up stray animals. When you cannot keep outdoor cats from visiting, try to prevent your cat from seeing them. Keep your cat out of windows or rooms where outdoor cats are visible. Move furniture away from windows, close drapes or modify windowsills so there is no room for your cat to perch or watch outdoors. Clean urine odors from around doors and windows, both inside and outside. If other pets in the household are contributing to the problem, separate them from your spraying cat. If your male cat has not been neutered, consider having it done. Most males stop spraying following the surgery. For difficult cases, medication may be required to stop your cat from spraying. If you are having a tough time controlling the problem, consult your veterinarian. Medication may not work for every cat. However, for some cats, it may be the only thing that does. Return to Top What Not to Do Punishment is not effective and may make problems worse, especially if it is harsh or delayed. You should never swat or physically punish your cat. For example, rubbing your cat’s nose in a soiled area can lead to an even worse response. Roughly handling your cat and placing her in the litter box may lead to a negative association with the litter box. Proper kitten training will help alleviate problems down the road. If you catch your cat littering in a bad area, you may squirt her with a water gun or make a noise loud enough to distract her. Try not to let your cat know that you are correcting her. If you still have trouble, ask your veterinarian to recommend a qualified pet behavior consultant in your area. Return to Top