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How to Stop Your Cat From Urinating and Defecating Inappropriately

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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  

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on 11/16/2009 I have 2 cats they both pee practilly everywhere! HELP! We just threw out are really old furniture cause they smelled so bad. I have tried everything to make them stop: sprays, additional litter boxex, candles, expensive litters, tinfoil, motion decting sprays. Nothing seems to work. One of my cats did have a urninary disease but we gave her the medication and she was supposedly cured. But now both cats are peeing everywhere again. Can she get it again? How do they get it in the first place? 1 cat keeps going in and out of the litterbox like bajillion times and ive watched her and she doesnt go at all there. My parents want to murder them and roast their corpses if I don;t figure out a way to make them stop. PLEASE HELP AND SAVE MY CATS!

Flag This Comment

on 11/16/2009 I have 2 cats they both pee practilly everywhere! HELP! We just threw out are really old furniture cause they smelled so bad. I have tried everything to make them stop: sprays, additional litter boxex, candles, expensive litters, tinfoil, motion decting sprays. Nothing seems to work. One of my cats did have a urninary disease but we gave her the medication and she was supposedly cured. But now both cats are peeing everywhere again. Can she get it again? How do they get it in the first place? 1 cat keeps going in and out of the litterbox like bajillion times and ive watched her and she doesnt go at all there. My parents want to murder them and roast their corpses if I don;t figure out a way to make them stop. PLEASE HELP AND SAVE MY CATS!

dpsjr said

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on 11/10/2009 This may sound a little unusual, but it worked for me. My 1 yr old male started spraying under my parrot cage after my new 5 mo. kitten started to now have the run of the house. I have hardwood floors and the urine/spray soaked into it. I tried all the home remedies as well as some of the best products at the store. Finally I decided i'll try something different....Cayenne Pepper! I sprinkled it all around the corner where he would back into. It Worked ! I don't think it caused any problems for him, it only took 1 day for him to realize to stay away, he has not found another place as of yet.

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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

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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.

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