Feline Inappropriate Elimination Checklist

Is the cat urinating frequently?.............................. could be medical

Have you seen blood in the urine?.............................. could be medical

Is the cat vocalizing while urinating?.............................. could be medical

Is the cat straining to urinate?.............................. could be medical

Is the cat urinating on flat surfaces (i.e. the floor)...................... could be medical or behavioral

Is the cat urinating on vertical surfaces (e.g. walls)............... probably behavioral

Is the cat defecating outside the box?........................ probably behavioral

1. Cat is unneutered or unspayed

2. Stress

• New baby/people in the house
• New animal in the house
• Animal outside the house
• Move to new house/apartment
• Separation Anxiety
• Changes in schedules of people in the house

3. Litter box issues (see below)

4. Illness

• Many medical conditions, including urinary tract infection, cystitis, kidney disease, bladder stones, diabetes, etc...

It is very important that you thoroughly clean the areas where the cat has urinated, or you increase the likelihood that the cat will want to return to that spot. Clean the area with a cleaning product that does not contain ammonia. The smell of ammonia is reminiscent of urine and may encourage the cat to return to that area.

To further discourage the cat from returning to the spot, try one of the following:

· Place aluminum foil or heavy gauge plastic over the area (cats don’t like the feel)

· Put a piece of furniture over the area

· Put the cat’s food bowl in the area (cats don’t like to eat where they eliminate)

· Put deodorant soap or other strong scent in the area; try a sock filled with moth balls