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Eliminate Health Problems
Be patient, Samantha of Abbotsford, British Columbia, told herself. Five-year-old Zoe, a spayed female, had definite opinions about Samantha�s new husband, Dennis. She expressed them very clearly�on his sweater. Fortunately, Samantha knew not to overreact, and Dennis learned to hide his clothes.
Naughty pottying is a common complaint of cat owners everywhere. Gary Landsberg, DVM, of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, says it has been estimated that at least 10 percent of households with cats will have a cat that soils or sprays.
But Dr. Landsberg says owners shouldn�t assume it�s behavioral. "A veterinary examination will rule out possible medical problems," says Dr. Landsberg. Any change in elimination behavior can indicate digestive- or urinary-tract problems.
Once health problems are ruled out, it�s time to get to the root of the behavior. Dr. Landsberg says there are two types of inappropriate elimination: spraying and squatting.
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How to Stop Spraying
Male cats are the usual suspects in spraying. It�s their way of "marking" a territory. Female cats may also mark territory when they are in heat. Neutering or spaying may greatly reduce the chances of spraying, but about 10 percent of neutered male cats and 5 percent of spayed female cats may still spray.
Multiple-cat homes are more likely to have cats that spray to compete for territory. You should consider that your cats may not want to share a litter box. Offering additional litter boxes, more places to climb and hide, food for each when they are together and ample time to build a relationship may be solutions.
If your cat is a loner, it is important to avoid contact with other cats by keeping the windows and drapes closed and your cat indoors.
Keep in mind that commercial repellents or booby traps such as motion detectors (sold at pet stores) may discourage your cat from eliminating in a particular area, but they will probably not stop the spraying in new areas. If all else fails, your best bet may be pheromone sprays and drug therapy as prescribed by your veterinarian.
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How to Solve Squatting
Squatting is another form of bad pottying. Your cat isn�t using her litter box because she doesn�t like the litter, she prefers another surface texture (e.g., your carpet) or she wants a new box location.
If your cat is squatting, the first thing to check is a dirty litter box. Be sure to clean the litter daily and replace litter every week.
While deodorized litter and room fresheners might smell good to you, it may be repelling your cat. Try using a plain litter material, or mix the plain litter with deodorized litter until she gets used to a particular fragrance.
If your cat is elderly or suffers from arthritis, she may not be able to reach her litter box easily if she has to climb stairs. Consider moving the litter box to the floor where your cat spends most of her time.
It�s possible that your cat just prefers the texture of your carpet to her litter. If this is the case, cover the carpeting with some plastic or tinfoil. This will change the texture and discourage your cat from using the carpet for elimination.
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Catch Your Cat in the Act
If you can catch your cat in the act of naughty pottying�or in her pre-potty rituals�stop her. If she can�t complete the job, she�ll learn not to go there. Finally, be sure to clean areas well that may have been soiled. An odor will attract her back to the same place and encourage the pattern.
For the Wakelins of British Columbia, their story ended on a happy note. After Zoe became used to Dennis, the naughy pottying stopped.
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Further Reading
Click here to read more on how to stop feline house soiling.
If you have more questions about your cat�s behavior, visit Frequently Asked Questions. If you don�t find what you�re looking for, email us via our Talk To Us page.
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