Pet shelters say the reason most frequently cited by cat owners for surrendering a cat is that the cat is peeing and pooping outside the litter box. This is unnecessary and tragic, because with knowledge and determination a cat owner can retrain the cat to use a litter box.
Physical Causes for Cat Peeing Outside the Litter Box
Peeing outside the litter box can be the first sign that a cat has a physical problem. If a cat suddenly stops using a litter box it is usually because the cat is experiencing pain when he urinates, and then avoids using the litter box because he associates it with pain. It is very important to seek medical attention from a veterinarian immediately. The vet will diagnose and treat physical causes for cat urinary pain and discomfort such as Feline Urinary Tract Infection and Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, hyperthyroidism, or other medical conditions.
Emotional and Stress-Related Reasons Why Cats Pee and Poop Outside Litter Box
Once physical infection or disease is eliminated as the cause, the cat owner can consider possible emotional and stress-related reasons why the cat may be peeing or pooping outside the litter box and take action before it becomes a habitual behavior. Consider the following questions:
Is the Litter Box Clean? Cats actually prefer to use a nice clean litter box. However, cats have a keen sense of smell and are very fastidious, so the litter box must meet a cat’s exacting requirements for cleanliness or he will avoid it and seek other locations.
Has the Litter Box Location or Litter Brand Changed? Cats hate change, so if the litter box location has been moved or a new brand of litter is used, the cat may express his dislike by rejecting the litter box. If the location or litter brand must be changed, do it very gradually. Add a small amount of the new litter on top of the old. Move the box very gradually over a few weeks toward the new location.
Have You Moved? Cats are creatures of habit and hate change. If you have moved to a new residence, it may take a while for your cat to acclimate and feel comfortable in his new home.
New Cat in the House? When
introducing a new cat into the household, cat owners must realize it will take both cats time to tolerate or accept each other. Furthermore, cats do not like to share their litter boxes, so make sure the new and resident cats each have their own litterboxes. Make sure both cats are receiving enough attention and affection to ward off jealously which might be expressed in peeing or pooping in inappropriate places.
Any Change in People or Other Pets in a Household? Any change in household people or pets will cause the cat stress which can manifest in him not using a litter box. If one of the cat’s favorite people or other pets is no longer living in the house due to moving, divorce, or death, the cat may experience stress from loneliness, sadness and grief. Cats can also experience stress from jealousy if there is a new baby, pet or person. While the cat is becoming accustomed to changes in household members, he will need extra attention, petting and cuddling and love.
Was the Cat Injured or Traumatized While Using the Litter Box? If the cat was attacked, injured or intimidated by another pet, especially another cat, while using the litter box, he will associate it with pain and may pee or poop in inappropriate places. Keep other pets away from the cat when he is using the litter box.
Is the Cat Suffering Separation Anxiety? Cats can feel traumatized and suffer from Separation Anxiety when their owners are away on vacation or business trips, and may stop using their litter boxes. In some cats this occurs only while the owners are away, while other cats continue to pee or poop outside the litter box even when their owner return. The best solution for leaving a cat home is to find a cat sitter who is willing to stay in your home and lavish the cat with attention.
Is it Territorial Marking or Spraying? A cat may spray or mark his territory with urine. This behavior is more common in unneutered sexually mature male cats and mature male cats neutered after sexual maturity. Consider having your cat neutered if he is not already. Spraying is also common in cats that feel threatened by other household cats or strange cats outside, so consider measures to reduce the threat.
Clean Up and Retrain the Cat to Use the Litter Box
Identifying and alleviating the causes will help prevent the problem in the future. However, it is important to retrain the cat to use the litter box.
Clean Up and Eliminate Odors. Wipe up and absorb as much as possible. Clean the area with carpet or upholstery cleaner. Neutralize and eliminate odors with an enzyme-based cleaning product (but not ammonia which smells like pee to a cat). Depending on the severity and duration of the problem, it may be necessary to remove the mattress, bedding, rugs or furniture. Cat owners have been known to rip out not only carpeting but also floor boards and under-flooring. If the cat can smell even the faintest trace of his own scent, he will try to continue using the area.
Prevent the Cat Access. The best solution is to prevent the cat access to the room by using door and pet gates while reacquainting him with his litter box.
Mask the Cat Odor. After eliminating as much of the cat’s scent as possible, you can mask the scent with a stronger scent such as eucalyptus.
Put Cat’s Food Bowl in the Spot. Cats are very fastidious and will not pee or poop in the same place where they eat.
Cover the Spot. The spot can be covered with a temporary surface material that is unappealing to your cat such as aluminum foil, a knobby rubber mat, double-sided tape or contact paper.
Make the Litter Box Appealing. Use the cat’s favorite litter, keep the box in the same location, keep it meticulously clean and give him privacy when he uses it.
Retrain if necessary – Like training kittens, you may need to confine the cat to one small room like a guest bathroom, with his litter box, food, water and bedding, for several weeks. Although this sounds drastic, it is a much better alternative than having to give him away. Continue to provide him with affection, attention and petting during this time.
The benefits of his companionship are well worth the time it takes to retrain the cat to use a litter box.
Home - Cats
Cats can feel stressed by many situations in your home because they don't like change. You can reduce your cat's stress by being sensitive to his need for few changes and a predictable schedule. Cats can feel stressed by visitors, other animals, new pets in your house (especially other cats), drinking water that’s not fresh, strange cats lurking around outside, litter boxes that aren’t clean, and food bowls that remain empty for more than an hour or so.
You can help your cat tolerate stressful events such as visitors and other new pets by introducing them slowly and providing separate hiding places for your cat. And you can make your cat happy by keeping food and water bowls clean and filled, and keeping litter boxes clean.
While cats are generally more particular than dogs, they can be left alone at home for longer periods. But cats will need stimulation if you are planning on leaving them on their own for more than a few hours. Toys, climbing towers
and special toys that dispense food are all options for keeping your cat entertained while you are out. If there aren’t a lot of neighboring cats that wander by your home, a perch for your cat near a picture window can be stimulating and fun for an indoor cat.
Paying attention to your cat after a long day will be satisfying for both of you. If you leave your cat home alone all day, be sure to schedule some time when you return that’s dedicated just for him. Whether you play with or groom your cat he will appreciate the attention.
Cat owners have been known to rip out not only carpeting but also floor boards and under-flooring. If the cat can smell even the faintest trace of his own scent, he will try to continue using the area.
