(Yuki)

One of the most frustrating issues a cat owner can have is a cat that uses everything in the house as his personal toilet. After all, cats are supposed to just magically use the box! You’re not supposed to have to train them - they come that way.

Instincts do usually take care of the housetraining of a cat. Provide a nice clean box and they’ll use it simply because it is their instinct to go someplace just like that box. Unfortunately, there are several factors that may overrule that instinct.

Inappropriate elimination, that is, a cat who urinates and/or defecates outside the litterbox, is not the same as spraying or marking. Spraying and marking behavior is when a cat urinates on a vertical surface by backing up to it with the legs and tail straight (sometimes the tail will twitch) and spraying the urine. This can be caused by territoriality or by stress and most often occurs in unaltered (not neutered) male cats, though females and neutered males may still do so. Marking behavior is often solved by neutering the cat or by using stress-reducing products such as Feliway. Inappropriate elimination, however, is more complex and more difficult to solve.

So why might a cat not use his litterbox - something we all assume all cats do as a matter of course? Cats are particular beings when it comes to their boxes. If they don’t like it, they won’t use it. The litterbox should be appealing to the cat, and what appeals to one may not appeal to all. The following are things to check for your cat.

• First off - MEDICAL CHECK. Often, the problem is actually a urinary tract infection, bladder infection, stones, or other health issue. Declawed cats may have residual pain, or associate the box with the initial pain and avoid it.
• Large enough box - the box should be big enough for the cat to turn around in and squat easily. If you’ve the space, get the largest box available that your cat can easily get in and out of. If unsure, get different size boxes and see which the cat prefers.
• Privacy - cats like privacy for their business. Put the box in an area where the cat won’t be disturbed, such as a corner, bathroom, or closet. Don’t move it after the cat uses it - they might come back to the same spot whether there is a box there or not.
• Covered boxes - beware of the cat who feels confined or trapped in one, especially in multicat households. Covered boxes are great for some cats, but other cats won’t use them. If you get a covered box, it should have a nice wide cover so that the interior of the box is not made smaller. You may want to go one size larger than you think you need as well. Covered boxes also confine the smell - great for humans, bad for cats. Keep it extra clean or Kitty may not want to be in it.
• Cleanliness - Cats can be picky…or not. Some cats won’t go in the box if it isn’t cleaned after each use. The entire box needs to be dumped weekly (more often if non-clumping litter is used) and cleaned as well. You might not smell it overmuch if you use clumping litter, but the cat’s nose is a lot better than yours. Do not use overstrong chemicals for cleaning.
• Litter - Clumping litter is great for us humans, but some cats don’t like it. Different scents and textures may not be acceptable to your cat. If Kitty doesn’t like the litter, he’ll find something he prefers. Declawed cats may be extra-picky and prefer the most fine granules available. Sand and soil may be used in a litterbox if you can’t find a litter your cat likes, especially if the cat ever eliminates outdoors. A product called CatAttract may be used as training litter to make it more appealing.
• Number of boxes - the ideal number is one box for each cat plus one extra. You might get away with less, but if the cats get in a scuffle over territory, a cat might prevent another cat from using a box. If a cat is eliminating outside the box in a multicat home, try adding another box in another location (preferably another room). Also, some cats may prefer to urinate in one box and defecate in another.
• Stress: recent moves, new additions to the home such as another pet or baby, illness, and other factors can create stress in a pet’s life. Some cats may react to the stress by exhibiting behavior problems such as inappropriate elimination. If your cat has suddenly stopped using the box, check your situation to see if anything has changed that might have caused stress to your cat. A vet can prescribe anti-anxiety medication if this is the case. A product called Feliway may help reduce anxiety as well.

You should always consult your veterinarian to rule out a physical cause for the elimination problems. Your vet can help you determine the cause of the problem and may direct you to a behaviorist if more help is needed.