Litter tray management involves thinking about what type of litter you're using. Some cats will really like just one type of litter. This may be unscented and you're using a scented cat litter. They might dislike a clay based one that can clump and stick to the soles of their feet. They might prefer just a sprinkling of litter or a really full litter box. Show My preference is to use an unscented, non-clumping paper or sawdust cat litter like this one. Also consider the litter tray type as well:
Think about where you're putting your litter tray. Cats will generally like a private enclosed area, not a really busy area like the middle of the hall or by the front door. In the corner of a quiet room is often best. Your cats litter tray should also be cleaned regularly. Again some cats are really fussy and will only want to use a litter tray once. Either that or they won't use it if another cat has been in there. Making sure that you clean the litter tray regularly enough and then having enough litter trays is very important. As a general rule you should also have one more litter tray than the number of cats in the house. This means if you've got two cats you need three litter trays and if you've got four cats then really you need five litter trays. They also all need to be in different locations! Move your cats litter tray and food bowlsIf there's still a problem after all of these other tips and especially if your cat is spraying or urinating in one spot in particular, what you can try and do is move their litter tray to this spot. It might not be where you want it but if you can get them back using the litter tray you can then slowly move the tray back to a position where you're happy for that litter tray to be. Alternatively you can even try putting their food and water in that area. Cats are really clean hygienic animals in general and they don't like peeing where their food or their water is. Putting them in the problem spot can help put them off. Be careful however that this doesn't actually just stress them out more! How to clean up cat urineCleaning up cat urine properly is incredibly important. There are certain things within a cat's urine that will attract them back to the same spot time and again. This means they will often keep re-marking in the same spot. There are various dedicated anti-urine sprays and cleaners which do a great job of not just removing the odor of cat urine, but also destroying the chemicals which will attract your cat back time and again. Another option, if you don’t want to purchase a dedicated cleaner, is to use is biological washing powder. Mix this with a bit of water and then really scrub the area and allow it to soak in. What will happen is the enzymes in that biological washing powder will help break down all of the things that are attracting your cat back to that area. Don't do this to stop your cat peeing everywhereStep number nine is things to avoid. You should definitely avoid negative reinforcement. Don't shout at your cat, rub their nose in it or punish them in any way. All that's going to do is make them more stressed. They're probably not going to understand what they've done wrong and that's probably only going to make the problem worse. It's certainly not going to improve the situation. Another thing that we should avoid doing in cats that are urinating everywhere or peeing outside of their litter tray is to use ammonia based cleaning products. Ammonia is actually what attracts cats back to the area so by using things like bleach you can actually be perpetuating the problem. The last thing that you should avoid doing is avoid using deterrent sprays. Again if you've got something in a cat's environment that really is repelling them it's only going to cause them more stress. While they might not urinate in that particular spot again they're just going to go and find somewhere else to pee and it's not going to be in the litter tray.
Common reasons for cats to stop using their litter boxes include urinary tract disease or other health issues, a litter box that isn't cleaned often enough, or stress caused by a change in the household, such as a new pet or family member. Not only can you learn how to best deal with urinary problems in your cat, but you may be able to prevent some urinary issues in the first place. Find out below why your cat is urinating outside of their litter box and how to stop it. Before you can begin to correct a litter box problem, it's important to understand why your cat is peeing inappropriately. A cat urinates outside its litter box for one of two general reasons: a medical problem or a behavioral issue. The Spruce / Lisa Fasol If your cat is peeing outside the litter box, the first step is to visit your veterinarian. The vet will do a physical exam of your cat and check a urine sample. Based on the results, your vet will recommend treatment. There are a number of common urinary medical issues in cats:
When one or more urinary issues are chronic, the condition is typically called feline lower urinary tract disease, or FLUTD. If your cat is diagnosed with FLUTD, your vet may recommend a special urinary diet and/or supplements to support the urinary tract. Urinary problems can lead to a serious, urinary obstruction, especially in male cats. If your cat is experiencing urinary issues, don't delay the trip to the vet. If your cat is posturing to urinate and little or no urine is coming out, your cat might have a blockage or partial obstruction. In this case, get your cat to a vet immediately as this condition can quickly become life-threatening. In some cases, inappropriate urination occurs when a cat has a nonurinary health problem. Your cat may be peeing outside the box because of pain or discomfort elsewhere in the body. It's a good idea to have your vet order comprehensive lab work to look for a health issue if none is found during the initial exam or urinalysis. Lab work can reveal serious health problems like diabetes or kidney disease, allowing your vet to begin treatment immediately. The 7 Best Cat Foods for Urinary Tract Health in 2022 If no medical cause is found for your cat's inappropriate urination, then it's important to determine what factors are causing your cat to behave this way. If you've ruled out everything else, consult with a certified behaviorist to get to the bottom of the problem. Cats are particular about their toilets. The litter box may simply be too dirty for your cat. Or it may be perfectly clean but otherwise uncomfortable to use. For example, the box may be too small for your cat to use comfortably. Or it may be in a location that your cat doesn't like. If it's covered, this may bother your cat. Perhaps the litter has a strong scent or an annoying feel on your cat's paws. Cats like choice so too few litter boxes can also be an issue. The Spruce / Ana Cadena Your cat may be trying to tell you they're stressed out at home. They may be unhappy with another animal in the household and are marking their territory to send a message to the other animal. Or your cat may sense that it's too dangerous to access the litter box if the other animal is out and about. Your cat may also "act out" if there is a new human in the home. Cats are sensitive to the smallest of changes in their environments. No matter what the source of the stress is, make sure your cat has a quiet place where they can get away. The new animal or human should not have access to this place of refuge. The Spruce / Ana Cadena If your cat has peed in an area, the smell might remain even after you clean up the accident. A cat's sense of smell is much better than yours. If old urine odors remain in your home, there's a very good chance your cat is returning to the area because of the smell. Find a good stain and odor remover and start scrubbing. Perhaps the most common reason cats urinate inappropriately is that they dislike the litter box. If your cat is peeing everywhere and you've ruled out medical issues, then it's time to reassess your litter boxes.
In general, the key to stopping cats from peeing outside the litter box altogether is as simple as being a responsible, attentive cat owner. Keep your cat healthy and visit the vet for routine care and as soon as issues crop up. Minimize anxiety in your cat's environment and try to keep a cat-friendly, low-stress home.
FAQ
If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet. |