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ServicesLaser Light Therapy Other ServicesAdoptable Animals | Inappropriate Elimination - Litter Box Problemsby Dr. Dawn Bookmyer, DVM “Why is Sylvester doing this after all these years? Is he mad at me for something? Could he be sick?” My client was clearly upset. Sylvester, her 5 year old cat, had stopped using his litter box and started urinating in a corner of her dining room. My client’s frustration and confusion are not uncommon. In fact, inappropriate elimination is the number one feline behavior problem. Fortunately, there are ways to deal with this behavior, although cat owners need to keep in mind that the longer the cat has been exhibiting this behavior, the poorer the prognosis for resolution. Therefore, I advise cat owners to address this problem as soon it begins. A visit to the vet’s office is the first step, as inappropriate elimination may indicate a medical problem. Your veterinarian will want to do a complete physical examination and collect urine and possibly stool samples. A thorough evaluation of your cat’s past medical and behavioral history is essential, as well as a description of the current living environment. If the vet rules out illness as a cause, then we can begin to address the cat’s behavioral problems. In treating inappropriate elimination behavioral modification focuses on making the litter pan more attractive to the cat, and the other areas where it has been eliminating less attractive. Of utmost importance is determining any sources of anxiety which may be causing your cat to eliminate inappropriately. The first area that I tell clients to look at is the litter box itself. Cats are fastidious animals, and the box must be kept very clean. Waste matter should be cleaned daily and the box should be washed often with warm water and mild dish soap. Do not use a strong smelling disinfectants, such as bleach, Lysol, etc. Make sure the box is large enough; if the cat is urinating near the box, but missing it, he may be trying to tell you that the box is too small. Many cats prefer unhooded boxes, but others like the privacy that a hood allows them. Some cats have an aversion to liners. If you are experiencing problems you may want to experiment. The location of the box is important – keep it away from the area where the cat eats, but in a very accessible and quiet place. Utility rooms or basements may not be ideal if there are appliances or furnaces near by. Owners may want to experiment with different brands of litter, as cats can be particular about texture and smell. Most cats prefer non-scented, sand-type litter. Some cats also prefer different depths of litter in the pan. Finally, a good rule of thumb is: one litter box per cat, plus one extra. Adding additional pans for different floors of the house also can be very helpful. The cat should be taken to the box often and praised for scratching or using it. If the cat has not been spayed or neutered, I would advise the client to have the procedure done immediately. Many studies indicate that 90 percent of male cats and 95 percent of female cats will stop spraying after they have been sterilized. Anxiety will also cause house soiling. Any changes in the daily routine can be a source of stress. A new home, baby or pet, or even an animal in the yard outside may cause a cat to urinate outside the litter box. Identifying the cause can be difficult, but is absolutely essential to dealing with the behavior. The next step is to thoroughly clean the area where the cat has urinated, using a product that destroys bacteria, but which does not contain ammonia. To prevent kitty from returning to the area, put aluminum foil on the floor or place a piece of furniture or other barrier over the area. Strongly scented deodorant soaps or a sock filled with mothballs can also be effective deterrents. Another tactic is to place a food bowl in the area, since cats do not like to urinate in the area where they must eat. Sometimes a litter pan can be placed over the area and gradually moved to a more desirable location. It is important to remember that cats do not engage in this behavior out of spite, therefore anger and punishment are not constructive and will often increase the cat’s anxiety. Although there are some medications available that might help, they are not without side effects and should be considered a last resort. Talk to your veterinarian – with a little detective work, patience and determination, inappropriate elimination can be a solvable problem.
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