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AAHA AccreditedWhat's Below: Urination | Defecation | Moving the Litter | Failure to Cover | Soiled Hair | Houseplants
Inappropriate Urination
Urine marking outside of the litter box, accomplished in either a crouching or standing position, occurs in sexually intact or neutered male and female cats. Urine marking in the standing position is called spraying. It is performed by males and by females. Some cats mark with urine in one position only, while others use both positions.
Cats that have been neutered at the appropriate age and that have never roamed outdoors or even seen another cat may begin to urinate outside the litter box. Neutering is unlikely to prevent urine marking, given the right set of circumstances. A sexually intact cat that has begun to urinate inappropriately, however, should be neutered without delay. The hormonal influences related to reproduction may motivate urine marking.
A cat's failure to urinate appropriately in the litter box may have several causes. A dirty litter box may cause a cat to avoid the box. Individual cats have different levels of tolerance to an unclean litter box. One cat may faithfully use a box that is only cleaned once or twice a week, while another cat may avoid a box that has been used just once. Do not scold or startle a cat in the vicinity of its litter box. A negative experience associated with the litter box could result in avoidance.
Urine contains odors that identify the individual and mark a cat's territory. The location of food, water and safe places to rest are linked to a cat's sense of security within its territory. If these are disturbed or if a sensitive cat is distressed for any reason, it may reaffirm its territorial claim and relieve anxiety by urine marking.
Litter training is further complicated in households with more than one cat. An easily offended cat may avoid a box that has been used by a housemate, while another may be attracted to void in the box to cover the odors left by others. Territorial conflict between cats in multi-cat homes may cause problems relating to use of the litter box. One cat may wait near the litter box to ambush another cat when it attempts to use the box. An increased level of anxiety could lead to inappropriate elimination.
As a guideline, provide one litter box for every cat in your household. Choose a variety of locations in quiet corners of your home to see which box attracts the most use. A cat that is harassed by others, even in play, should have an alternative box to use.
The longer urine marking is allowed to continue, the more enduring the pattern may become and the more difficult it may be to resolve. This behavior is self-reinforcing, increasing the likelihood that the cat will do it again. Inappropriate urination may continue because of environmental factors that have little or nothing to do with the initial cause, which may never be determined.
A cat can develop preferences for a certain target surface, such as carpeting, and eventually mark similar surfaces throughout your home. Certain sounds or even certain times of day may trigger marking. The problem can rapidly become complex. Regardless of the initial trigger, inappropriate elimination may reappear in times of stress because the act immediately relieves anxiety.
It is always important to investigate a possible medical problem associated with inappropriate urination. Among the more common conditions are cystitis (infection of the urinary bladder), kidney disease and diabetes mellitus. Virtually any illness may cause inappropriate urination. See your veterinarian on a regular basis so that physical problems can be detected early. Consult your veterinarian early when you detect a problem.
[Top of Page]Inappropriate Defecation
Many of the reasons why cats fail to urinate in the litter box also apply to inappropriate defecation. Defecation also functions in territorial marking and relief of anxiety. Inappropriate defecation may stem from a dirty litter box, medical problems, stress, anxiety and even fear. A cat may display its displeasure by depositing urine or stool in inappropriate areas.
Inappropriate defecation and urination should not be viewed as intentional acts of malice or revenge. The same solutions apply to both types of elimination.
[Top of Page]Moving the Litter Box
Most cats prefer a quiet, out-of-the-way place for urination and defecation. Too much noise or activity nearby can discourage a cat from using the litter box and drive it to another location of its own choosing. Moving the litter box to a new location can also upset certain cats. If the litter box must be moved, do it gradually.
Move the box a few inches each day toward the new location, even if this is slightly inconvenient for you. Place another box at the new location. When your cat discovers the new designated location and uses the box there, it is probably safe to remove the transitional one.
Another method is to place several additional boxes in various new places and observe which of these your cat prefers. Your cat's individual preference of location is your best guide.
[Top of Page]Failure to Cover Waste
The instinct to bury urine and stool is strong in most cats. Most cats dig in the litter box to prepare an indentation before voiding. They then cover stool and urine deposits with litter. Digging associated with defecation may be more pronounced.
Some cats enthusiastically cover their waste, while others may never do so. If your cat does not cover its urine or stool, this is no cause to worry. A cat that does not bury its urine or stool is not abnormal.
[Top of Page]Soiled Hair in Long-Hair Breeds
Long-haired cats, such as Persians or Himalayans, are more easily soiled by urine or stool around the anus, tail, thighs and even the paws. Segments of stool may adhere to their long hair and later fall off or be removed by the cat during grooming. Cats remove adhered feces by pulling out the soiled hair or by rubbing against the floor.
Punishment for fecal soiling is not effective and only confuses your pet and makes it more anxious. Instead, a professional groomer or veterinary technician can carefully trim the long hair beneath the tail, around the anus and genitals, and at the back of the thighs. This makes maintenance grooming much easier.
[Top of Page]Elimination in Houseplant Pots
Cats have a natural instinct to dig in soil or sand for voiding. The litter box is an artificial invention, and it is surprising that more cats do not eliminate in potted plants! To discourage your cat from eliminating inappropriately in your houseplant pots, devise ways to prevent access.
Suspend plants or place them on an elevated surface or in a room that is off limits to your cat. If it is inconvenient to isolate the plant, cover the soil with wire mesh or aluminum foil. Leave this cover in place as long as your cat shows any interest in returning there. Above all, keep the litter box especially clean so your cat has no reason to avoid it.
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