How to Get Your Cat to Use the Litterbox

Urinating or defecating outside of the litterbox can be a frustrating problem for cat owners

When your cat decides to stop using the litterbox and starts urinating in the house, it can be frustrating. Inappropriate elimination is one of the most common reasons cited for turning a cat over to a shelter. Many of these cats end up being euthanized.

Instructions

1. The first step in getting your cat back to the litter box is determining whether your cat is spraying or whether your cat has an aversion to the litter box.
   -If your cat is urinating on a vertical surface, such as a wall, your cat is spraying.
   -If your cat is defecating in the box, but urinating outside of it, your cat is likely spraying.
   -If your cat is avoiding the litterbox for both urinating and defecating, litterbox aversion is more likely.
   -If your cat has bloody urine, is straining to urinate or uncomfortable when urinating, or is making frequent visits to the litter box, your cat probably has a medical urinary problem and needs to be examined by your veterinarian.

2. 

   If your cat is spraying, this is occurring in response to psychological stress. The stress may be in the form of a new family member, a new pet, a move to a new home, renovating your home or redecorating your home. Another common cause is seeing wildlife or free-roaming pets outside the home. Urine marking is your cat's way of telling others that your home is his territory.
   -Try covering the windows and keeping the doors closed so that your cat cannot see outside.
   -Try using a Feliway diffuser to calm your cat. This is available from your local pet store or internet pharmacy and contains pheromones to help calm your cat. It simply plugs into an electrical outlet in your home, much like many of the air fresheners do.
   -Your cat may need anti-anxiety medications to help with the urine spraying. Examples of this are fluoxetine and clomipramine. These will need to be prescribed by your veterinarian.

3. 

   If your cat is suffering from a litterbox aversion:
   -Add additional litterboxes to your household. You should have one litterbox for each cat plus one. If you have two cats, you should have three litterboxes.
   -Clean your cat's litterbox regularly, scooping it at least once daily and changing the litter once weekly.
   -Try supplying several different types of cat litter. Some cats have substrate preferences and may like one kind of cat litter better than another. Try to provide several different textures, such as scoopable litter, crystals, sand, yesterdays news.
   -Avoid cat litters that are strongly scented. This may be pleasant for you, but your cat may not appreciate the scent.
   -Avoid hooded litterboxes. Take the hood off for a time if you are using one.
   -If you are using a litterbox liner, try removing it. Your cat may not like the feel of it under his feet.
   -Make sure all litterboxes are in quiet locations where nothing will disturb your cat while he is using the box. Being startled, frightened, annoyed, or hurt while your cat is in the box may cause him to stop using the litterbox.
   -If your cat is urinating in one specific area to which you can block access, do so. For instance, if your cat is urinating on your bed but nowhere else, close your bedroom door and deny your cat access to the room.
   -Alternatively, if there is one specific location your cat is using, you can try placing his food dish in that area. Do not move the food dish away from the area until your cat has refrained from urinating or defecating there for at least four consecutive days.

Tips & Warnings

• Medical conditions which can cause inappropriate urination are common and need to be ruled out by having your cat examined by your veterinarian.

• Both male and female cats can urine mark or spray. This is not a male-only behavior.

• If your male cat is unable to urinate, seek medical help quickly for him. A urethral obstruction can quickly become fatal if not treated. This is an emergency situation. If you cannot reach your own veterinarian in this situation, locate the closest emergency/after-hours facility and have your cat examined there.

• Never scold or punish your cat for urinating outside of the litterbox. This will only make your cat more stressed and more anxious, resulting in the situation getting worse.

• When cleaning cat urine from carpeting or other surfaces, never use a product with ammonia. Ammonia is also present in your cat's urine and the smell of ammonia on a surface will confuse your cat and make him think it is okay to use that area to relieve himself.

• Always use an enzymatic cleaner to clean cat urine.

Resources

• Correcting House-Soiling Issues