LITTER BOX LAPSES CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS
© 2003, Kitty Cottage Adoption Center, Inc.
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this pamphlet or portions thereof.

Your cat is urinating or defecating around your house, and/or spraying your furnishings and walls, and you're about to lose your mind, cleaning up the messes and trying to eliminate the smell. Other family members are distressed, and there's pressure on you. What can you do to solve this very upsetting problem and preserve a loving relationship with your cat?

First of all, before you get angry at your cat, remember that there is no such thing as a cat that pees or poops out of spite or revenge or jealousy. Cats' brains are not developed enough to experience human emotions. There is either a medical explanation, or an instinctual feline behavior that can be understood and modified. Please put aside your emotions, and be as analytical as you can about your cat's behavior.

Following are the usual causes and solutions to litter box problems.

First and foremost, eliminate medical problems as a cause, by taking your cat to the veterinarian for an examination.

MEDICAL PROBLEMS - Litter box lapses can be caused by kidney failure, diabetes, geriatric problems and other medical conditions. Litter box lapses are also commonly caused by lower urinary tract disease (sometimes called FUS).

A cat with FUS has developed a partially or fully blocked urinary tract. With FUS, you may see your cat straining in the litter box, acting lethargic, pacing restlessly, having litter box lapses, having blood in the urine, or getting in the box frequently, but leaving only a tiny wet spot or no wetness at all. To see if there is blood in the urine so you can let your veterinarian know, right after the cat urinates, put some of the urine soaked litter in a white tissue and squeeze. Blood will show up pink on the tissue.

A cat with FUS must be seen by a veterinarian immediately, because FUS is life threatening, and the cat may be in great pain. If you see any of the symptoms described , or even suspect FUS, get an appointment with your vet right away. Treatment may involve hospitalization, catheterization, prescription medication, a change in diet and other steps. Follow your vet's treatment instructions. And always be sure your cat has plenty of fresh, cool water every day to help prevent FUS.

Place water bowls in several places the cat typically walks past and next to the kitchen sink, if your cat is allowed on the counter. Don't put the cat's water bowls near the litter box. Cats don't like their food and water near the place they eliminate. If you have a dog, put the cat's bowls somewhere the dog can't drink them dry. Many cats seem to enjoy drinking more out of clear glass bowls, and others prefer stainless steel bowls.

Cat isn't spayed or neutered - Cats that aren't spayed or neutered may have litter box problems. This is especially true of males, who may begin to spray their territory with strong smelling urine around six months old or earlier. When a cat sprays, it backs up to an upright surface, holds it quivering tail straight up, and directs the urine back toward the upright surface. Both males and females can spray.

Neutering a male cat eliminates the strong odor and the urge to spray. It is recommended that you have your cats sterilized around four or five months old to avoid spraying problems, and to avoid unwanted litters. Spaying and neutering also greatly reduce the risk of breast, uterine and testicular cancers in your cats.

Litter box next to food dish - The cat's food, water and bed should be in a completely separate room from the litter box, if at all possible. The area in which the cat eats and sleeps is the "nest". A cat in the wild would never eliminate near its nest, because it might attract predators. That instinct has survived in the domestic cat. If you place the food near the litter box, the cat will choose the food, and eliminate somewhere else in the house away from the nest.

Dirty or smelly litter box - Scoop the litter box faithfully 2 or 3 times a day. If you are using scoopable clumping litter and you regularly remove the urine soaked litter clumps, then you can completely change and wash the litter box every few weeks. If you are not using scoopable clumping litter, then you will have to completely change and wash the box much more often. Use very hot water and mild soap to wash the boxes. Don't use harsh solutions or citrus scented products. Remove any hood that came with the litter box; it may be trapping odors and offending the cat, or it may make the cat feel too confined.

A cat that doesn't cover its waste may be telling you that he doesn't want to stick around long enough to cover. If you have multiple cats, you may need to scoop and clean the boxes even more often. The litter should be at least two to three inches deep in the box. u Litter is scented - It's usually better to use unscented litter. The perfumes used in some litters may bother certain cats. If you switch litters, do it slowly, by mixing the old one with the new one for a while. There is one brand of scented litter that may be beneficial; the Cat Attract brand has an herbal smell the manufacturer says attracts most cats.

Litter box the wrong size - The litter box may be too small for a large cat, or the sides may be too high for a kitten or arthritic, older cat to climb over. A hooded box may be too cramped for a tall or big cat. It may be time to buy a new box. Traditional litter boxes are not the only solution. For example, older cats may not squat enough because their knees hurt, and the urine stream may go right over the edge. You can buy a large plastic storage box with extra high sides. Just cut an opening in one end so your cat can get in the box.

Litter box has a hood - Some cats don't like hoods, because they trap odors inside. Other cats may find it too confining, if they're tall or if they like to turn around a lot before they choose a spot. Having a hood has another drawback; you may not know the box needs to be scooped unless you really peer inside to find out. u Litter box liners - Some cats do not like the feeling of plastic litter box liners, because their claws get snagged. If you use liners, try going without for a while.

Access to litter box is difficult - The box may be too far away from the area of the house that the cat frequents the most. Or the box may be down at the end of a long hallway with no exit, or crammed in a tight corner. These situations can make the cat feel vulnerable and trapped, especially if there are other pets or noisy kids. Try relocating the box, and possibly getting a second box if your house is large or has several floors. Be sure the door is always open to the room the box is in. With kittens you may need to limit how much of the house they can explore. They're just like small children, and may not have enough time to find the box.

Litter box isn't private - If the box is located in a high-traffic area, it may make the cat feel threatened, and she'll look for a safer area to eliminate. Cats may be frightened of washing machines, driers, furnaces and garage door openers, so choose another place for the box.

Cat dislikes the floor under the box - Some cats may hate cold concrete floors or a floor that is littered with debris. You may need to surround the box with newspaper or artificial turf.

Access to the litter box is blocked by another pet - This may occur where the more dominant cat blocks the way of the submissive cat. To you the dominant cat may look innocent, but if he has planted himself along the only route to the litter box, he could be guarding against the other cat. This can also happen to cats living with dogs and puppies. Be sure there's more than one route to reach the box and exit the area. When you see the dominant pet blocking the way, distract the dominant pet with a game that moves her away from the area. Don't punish the dominant pet; it will only make things worse. Place a second litter box in another area of your home. To help a cat find a new litter box, put some of the used litter from the old box into the new box.

Litter texture is uncomfortable for the cat's paws - Some declawed cats may always have sensitive paws, and will want a softer litter. Other cats may simply have their own preferences. Try keeping one box with the old litter, and start using different brands in a second box until you find the one your cat likes. A cat that doesn't take the time to cover its waste may be telling you the litter hurts her paws. u Unusual litter box preferences - Some cats like smooth or soft surfaces, and may use the bathtub or the bathmat near the litter box. Declawed cats will do this more often than others. Painful elimination from urinary tract infections, arthritis, parasites, impacted anal glands, diarrhea or constipation may cause some cats to seek cool (sinks, tubs, counter tops, etc.) or soft (beds, rugs, laundry, baskets, etc.) places. You could try the giving the cat an empty litter pan or one lined with newspaper or paper towels. Long-haired cats sometimes prefer an empty box.

Depth of the litter is too shallow - At least 2 to 3 inches of litter are usually recommended, so that the cat can dig around and have enough to cover up. Digging and covering are instinctual. If your cat stops covering, it may mean, among other things, that the litter is too shallow.

Not enough boxes for the number of cats - Depending on the size and output of your cats, you might even need a box for each cat, or it may be enough to add just one more box in another location, say on another floor or at the opposite end of your apartment or house. To help your cat find the new box, put some used litter from the old box into the new box of clean litter. Many experts say the rule is one box per cat, plus one box. Cats in a multi-cat household are more likely to have litter box lapses.

Cats in the yard make your cat feel threatened - The inside cat may start marking its territory with urine in the apartment or house, if he can see other cats in the yard or they are coming up to the windows or doors and spraying. The inside cat may spray vertically or horizontally. Less frequently, he will squat and urinate or defecate on horizontal surfaces. This is an instinctive reaction when the cat's established territory is threatened. Ask your neighbors to keep their cats inside. Or cover the window, so your cat can't see. Distract your cat away from the window when he's agitated by the intruders.

Use a fishing pole toy to divert his attention and to move him away from the window. Remove bird feeders and trash cans that may attract cats to your yard and clean the outside of your house around doors and windows to eliminate urine odors left by the outside cat. There are also outdoor cat repellant sprays available to keep cats out of your yard. In addition, you can sprinkle lemon and orange peels, coffee grounds, pipe tobacco, the herb rue, and eucalyptus oil outside around your windows and doors.

Check out the article on www.alleycat.org called "Community Benefits of Feral Cats" for more ideas.

Cats in the household don't get along - When you introduce a new cat into your home, the resident or the new cat may feel threatened and start to mark his territory. Always introduce the new cat gradually, taking care to lavish the resident cat with lots of affection during the introductory phase. It is recommended that you confine the new cat to one room for a few days, while the cats sniff each other under the door. You can rub a towel around each cat's mouth (there are scent glands there) and give it to the other cat to sniff. Open the door a few inches and let them see each other a few times a day.

When you let the new cat out, you may also want to try Feliway, a synthetic facial pheromone product that you spray on your furnishings, floors and walls. Do not spray Feliway near the litter boxes. Feliway calms the cats and helps to stop territorial behavior such as scratching and spraying. When the cats are with each other and behaving well, give them treats to reinforce their good behavior.

If the cats remain aggressive toward each other, you could also try Rescue Remedy, one of the Bach brand flower essences. It is used to reduce stress in both people and animals. Administer just a few drops in the cat's mouth a few times a day, according to the instructions. We have found this product to be very useful at Kitty Cottage. For more information, visit www.bachflower.com (click on Pets) or www.rainbowcrystal.com (click on Consultations). The Bach Flower products are also available at Whole Foods Markets, or you can order on-line.

Before you bring a new cat home, you may want to read the article "Getting a Cat: Choose the Pet for Your Pet Carefully" at www.catsinternational.org. This article discusses the compatibility of males and females, and younger and older cats.

Separation Anxiety - Cats may exhibit separation anxiety if the owner is absent for long periods, and start to soil the house. Cats may prefer areas where their owner's scent is strong and comforting, such as beds or piles of unwashed clothing. Drug therapy is often used by veterinarians for feline separation anxiety. Adding another cat as a playmate could help. Scheduling regular play and petting sessions with your cat when you are home is essential.

Punishment for a litter box lapse - Punishing a cat doesn't work. Never rub a cat's face in a mess and never hit a cat. The cat will only be confused, and the behavior will worsen out of the cat's fear. Figuring out what caused the cat to avoid the litter box is essential. Look at the situation from the cat's viewpoint to find the reason for its instinctual behavior.

Old urine odors in the carpet - Cat urine odors must be neutralized with enzyme products specifically formulated for cat urine. You can purchase them from your veterinarian or a pet supply store. Follow the instructions carefully, and don't skimp on the amount of solution you use. If you're not sure where all the urine spots are, purchase a black light, which makes the urine spots glow in the dark when you turn out all the lights. The "Stinkfinder" is one brand of black light you can buy at a pet supply store.

After neutralizing the odors, keep bowls of cat food on the spots for a couple of weeks. A cat will not eliminate where it eats. After a while, you can remove the bowls. You can also try placing citrus scented air fresheners on the old spots. Cats usually do not like citrus. If you see your cat sniffing around an old spot, distract the cat with a lively interactive game with you. Cover the old spots with an upside down vinyl carpet runner. Cats don't like to walk on the nubs.

Changes in the household - A death of another pet, death of an owner, a divorce, a child leaving for college, a new pet or a new baby in the house, redecoration, new furniture, or a change in your work schedule can affect your cat. Most cats don't like change. If at all possible, make changes gradually, taking the cat's needs into account. Pay extra attention to the cat, and schedule enough interactive playtime.

Pets do react to the loss of a human or pet companion and need consolation like you do. Introduce new pets and new members of the household gradually, and stay bonded with your cat. If your cat gets lost in the shuffle, she may become stressed and eliminate inappropriately. Adding a new cat to the household may cause the first cat to feel threatened, insecure and stressed. If the cat needs to remind everyone that the house is his territory, he or she might stop using the litter box. Feliway pheromone spray is especially helpful in this latter situation.

New baby - If you're expecting a baby, let the cat freely explore the baby's room and the new smells of the baby powders and other products. Record the crying of a friend's baby, and play it for the cat, while giving him treats and lots of petting. When the baby arrives, give the cat treats at the same time you feed the baby, and stroke the cat when you stroke the baby. Let the cat sleep on a t-shirt or other piece of clothing the baby has just worn. Schedule play time with your cat.

New furniture - You may want to cover new furniture for a few days until the cat is used to it. You can also spray Feliway brand pheromone spray on the corners of the furniture (test in an inconspicuous area first). This makes the furniture smell familiar to the cat.

Renovations - If you are planning renovations, consider confining the cat to the quietest part of the house, away from the sounds of hammering and sawing, and the voices of construction workers. When the work is over, gradually introduce the cat into new areas. u

Family Arguments - If there are raised voices and a lot of quarreling in your home, it can affect your cat's stress level. If there is abuse in the home, it's best to find a safe place for your pets with friends. Physical abuse often begins with pets, and then progresses to human family members. The Pennsylvania SPCA in Philadelphia has a program called PetNet. They will temporarily shelter pets owned by women escaping from an abusive home. Call 215-426-6300 and ask for extension 244.

Clothing left on the floor - Some cats will mistakenly associate the texture of a pile of clothes with the feel of the litter box. If your cat does this, you may need to be vigilant about keeping clothes and piles of laundry off of the floor.

Negative association with litter box - If the cat has had a prior urinary tract infection, or an intestinal problem accompanied by pain, it may have formed a negative association with the litter box. If something frightening happens while the cat is using the box, such as being bothered by another cat or the dog, or being grabbed by a child, the cat may associate the box with that event. You may have to add a new box in a new location in the house.

Cat is confused about its relationship with owners - Inappropriate elimination is upsetting to most owners, and the cat can sense the owner's distress, which may worsen the problem. Schedule interactive playtime with your cat and grooming activities the cat enjoys. Remember that your cat has not made a decision to torment you; he simply can't overcome his reaction to environmental stress without your help.

Retraining your cat to the box - After you have figured out what is causing the cat not to use the box, and have taken the necessary steps to correct the cause, you may still need to confine the cat for a week to a small room with its improved litter box. The litter box and the food and water bowls should be on opposite sides of the room. The cat will want to avoid soiling its home quarters and become retrained to the box.

While the cat is confined, you can retreat the soiled areas in your home with enzyme products specially designed for cat odors. The confinement period should not be a punishment, so visit your cat often to play and cuddle.

Praise the cat and reward her with treats after she uses the litter box.

Kitty Cottage offers suggestions to owners whose cats are not using their litter boxes. Please call with any questions: 610-731-0101

Other resources:

Psycho Kitty, by Pam Johnson-Bennet, Feline Behavior Consultant. The Crossing Press, Freedom, CA 800-777-1048, www.crossingpress.com We highly recommend this book to you.

Cats on the Counter, © 2002, by Dr. Larry Lachman and Frank Mickadeit. St. Martin's Press, New York, New York, 10010

The cat overpopulation crisis - There is an overwhelming cat overpopulation problem in the Greater Philadelphia area, and all over the United States. About 35,000 cats and kittens are euthanized annually in traditional shelters in the Greater Philadelphia area, because they breed so quickly and there are not enough homes for them all, and because many cat owners do not keep their cats for their cats' whole lives. Pleases spay and neuter your cats - don't let them contribute to the overpopulation crisis. And please catch and spay/neuter stray cats whenever you can, even if you can't adopt them. We can advise you how to obtain low cost spay/neuter surgery and how to use humane traps.

Check before you move that your new landlord allows cats. Kitty Cottage has a list of pet friendly apartments.

About Kitty Cottage

Kitty Cottage offers homeless cats and kittens a terrific opportunity to find a new family, plus a chance to enjoy the luxury of our cage-free, cozy cottage. The cottage is cat friendly, complete with cat condos, cat trees, armchairs, rugs, paintings and even a safe, outside playground. Kitty Cottage is a no-kill shelter.

Location - Our adoption center is located at 317 W. Johnson Highway in East Norriton.

Adoption Hours - We are open 11-5 Wednesday, Friday & Saturday, 11-3 Sunday, 11-8 Thursday and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Please call for evening hours, which vary by season. Surrenders are by appointment only. It is against the law to abandon cats on our property.

Lost cat services - If your cat escapes from the house, and you don't find her the first day, please call right away for advice on lost cat behavior, and to borrow a humane trap to catch your cat when she breaks out of hiding at night. Also visit www.lostapet.org for authoritative information from a specialist in lost pets.