How To

How to Stop Your Cat From Urinating and Defecating Inappropriately

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(89 Ratings)
Teach your cat to use its litterbox instead of your carpet and furniture
Teach your cat to use its litterbox instead of your carpet and furniture

Though spraying can be a symptom of a medical condition, it can also be due to stress associated with a new person in the home, new carpet, remodeling or the presence of a neighbor cat. Here's how to redirect your cat to the litter box.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Fresh Step brand kitty litter
  • Cat Foods
  • Litter Boxes
  • Carpet Cleaners, such as OXY Woolite or Stanley Steemer
  • Furniture Cleaners
  • Sandpaper
  • Scat Mats
  • Two-sided Tape
  • Lemon Scents
  • Cat Litters

    Getting Your Cat to Stop Spraying

  1. Step 1

    Have your veterinarian screen your cat for any medical conditions.

  2. Step 2

    Place litter boxes in the areas where your cat sprays.

  3. Step 3

    Put down plastic, two-sided tape, food, sandpaper or a lemon scent in areas where cat sprays. These will discourage spraying.

  4. Step 4

    To divert your cat from spraying in sinks and bathtubs, fill them with a little water.

  5. Step 5

    Confine your cat to a clean area with a litter box, food and water.

  6. Step 6

    Block visual access to outside areas if your cat is stressed by something in the outdoor environment (for example, a new cat in the area).

  7. Step 7

    Use an abundance of positive reinforcement messages.

  8. Getting Your Cat to Use the Litter Box

  9. Step 1

    Place a number of litter boxes in different areas of the house to increase the chances that your cat will use one.

  10. Step 2

    Use various types of litter boxes and litter materials to entice your cat (see related eHow on cleaning litter boxes).

  11. Step 3

    When your cat finally adjusts to using the litter box, keep it in the same place for four weeks.

  12. Step 4

    Move the box 1-foot or less per day to the area you want it to stay permanently.

  13. Step 5

    Praise your cat when it uses the litter box.

  14. Step 6

    If the cat continues to spray, consult an animal behaviorist and your veterinarian. Some cats need temporary antianxiety medication.

Tips & Warnings
  • Clean the soiled area thoroughly with carpet or furniture-cleaning solution or a mixture of 1 part white distilled vinegar and 2 parts water.

Comments  

| View All 78 Comments
Flag This Comment

on 9/12/2009 I have two older cats, a mother and a daughter. I am in college so my dad is having to keep them at his apartment for the time being. They have been there for about 8 months and after 2 months of being there one of them started peeing on the carpet by the front door. He cleans the litter box regularly and even changes out the litter frequently and she still wont pee in it. Does anyone have any suggestions I can have him try??

cbishwave said

Flag This Comment

on 8/12/2009 I have two litter boxes - one for each cat. ALso try the smaller grain litter. Both cats like the sweet wheat but it can be a little messy to clean up. I have a plastic mat under the end of the litter box. I keep my problem kittie in the bathroom at night with her own box, water bowl, and siesta bowl. She feels safe there and it becomes a good routine for her.

annasachi said

Flag This Comment

on 7/22/2009 I have the same problem with one of my cats peeing and pooping on the carpet. I asked advice from my vet and she told me that i need to have 2 litter boxes per cat, which is impossible because i live in a small apartment, But maybe you might have the room. She also said that if i use a scented litter that it can upset the cats, so switch to unscented. There is a product called Feliway which is a diffuser that you plug into an outlet and it is made to calm your cats. Also make sure that the litter box is not in a high traffic area, seclude it. I bought this cat litter box washroom (petco, $100) that you put the litter box in and it has helped a little to make my cat feel more comfortable in the litter box. I hope this helps!

Flag This Comment

on 7/11/2009 HELPPPPPP! I have three cats, two 9 year olds one female and one male. About three years ago another male joined the family, he's three years old. Anyway, one of them or all of them suddenly started peeing all over the house, carpet, furnicher, floors walls.. My first question is how is there anyway to figure out which one is doing this besides watching their every move? And second does anyone know of a way to make this problem possitively stop? I love my cats SOOO much and i would hat eto have to get rid of any of them, but the problem is so bad. I dont know what to do. PLEASE HELP! email; Jennals87@aol.com. thank you!

amberdusk said

Flag This Comment

on 4/26/2009 I have one cat who will use the litter box very consistantly, he's neutered and nine years old. I've never once had a problem with him, so imagine my shock when I tried to get other cats and NONE of them would use the litter box! I wish I had run across this article before - I finally had to give up on three different cats...

Post a Comment

Post a Comment
  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This

Related Ads

Get Free Pets Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US

eHow Pets
eHow_eHow Pets