Cat HEALTH

Cats urinate or defecate outside the litter box for a variety of reasons. The first step is to decide if you cat is marking. Spraying or marking is a territorial or dominance issue (usually seen in young male non-neutered cats).

If your cat is actually squatting to urinate (or defecate) on horizontal surfaces, this is an inappropriate elimination problem. There are two main causes: medical and behavioural. Medical causes are less common, but do need to be ruled out. They include urinary tract infection, incontinence, crystals in the urine, kidney issues, a mass in the bladder or even arthritis (the cat can’t get to the litter box or can’t squat properly).

If your cat is able to pee, but is doing so outside the litter box, you will need to seek veterinary advice to rule out other medical problems. It is very common for your vet to find no abnormalities at all. In this case, behavioural aspects are investigated.

Cats often have definite preferences for litter (unscented, clumping), box type and size (large, uncovered) and location (quiet, low traffic area that is part of the cat’s main living space).

The majority of inappropriate elimination problems can be solved by simply keeping the litter box very clean and making a few changes such as adding additional boxes, taking off the cover or changing the location.

SENDING A MESSAGE
Your cat may be sending you a message because she is discontent either with the litter box itself, or because of changes to the household environment. Houseguests, renovations or street construction can all set off a cycle of bladder inflammation caused by stress. So too can changes in your work schedule, food or even a seeing a strange cat through the window.

LOCATION, LOCATION
Substrate aversion refers to a cat who avoids the litter box, either because she is not content with some aspect of their bathroom facilities, or because something scary happened when she was using it. Perhaps while toileting another cat attacked her or a loud noise (washing machine, furnace) occurred, she may not want to go to that location again. Never punish your cat for eliminating outside the box, as this will make the problem worse. Remember, too that sometimes an accident is really an accident.

EVIDENCE REMOVAL
Once a cat has gone outside of the box, she can develop a preference. For example, pawing at the soft bathmat, or smooth porcelain of the tub feels good to some cats. Other cats are attracted back to the scent where they have started to eliminate. You will have to figure out if your cat likes the new spot, or doesn’t like the litter box. Then you can work on making the litter box preferable, and the other spot less desirable. Try an enzymatic type of cleaner to remove as much of the smell as possible and blocking your cat’s access to the spot. You can also try making the surface unfriendly by placing tin foil, plastic bags (beware! some cats prefer plastic bags), sticky paper or plastic slush mats with the spiky side up over the area. One idea is to feed your cat in this spot, as many cats will not go to the bathroom wher they eat. Some people find success by placing a new litter box right where your cat is peeing inappropriately. Then gradually moving it a few inches every few days until it is in a better spot. If it is the feel of carpet or dirt (potted plants) your cat is
attracted to, you can place old carpet or dirt in the litter box at first. Then try adding fistfuls of litter each day until the cat is used to the litter again.

Having a cat who soils outside the box can be frustrating, but when you investigate it usually becomes quite clear why it is happening. A little patience and consideration will go a long way in solving the problem.