Vet Blog

The first step to improving litter box use is to determine whether a cat is spraying or urinating inappropriately.  The behaviors do not have similar motivations, and therefore the remedies are different.  Cats spray to mark their territories while dislike of the litter box is the most common reason for a cat to urinate outside of the litter box.  When a cat sprays, it typically stands in front of a vertical surface, raises its tail (often quivering it rapidly), and squirts out a small amount of urine.  In contrast, cats that are urinating inappropriately usually leave behind a puddle of urine on a horizontal surface. 

Once you have the cat’s behavior defined, thoroughly clean all of the soiled locations in the house.  A fluorescent black light is very useful for tracking down the problem areas.  For surfaces that can’t be laundered or wiped down easily (e.g. carpets), use an enzymatic cleaner designed to eliminate cat odors (e.g. Nature’s Miracle®).

Multi-cat households often have problems with spraying.  In these cases, provide a lot of elevated perches, hiding places, and covered escape routes to lessen disputes over space and allow each animal to feel secure in its own territory.  If cats outside of the home are stimulating the behavior, close the drapes or blinds to keep indoor pets calm.  Intact male cats should be neutered, but keep in mind that the surgery is most effective at preventing spraying before it has become an established behavior.  If a cat routinely marks a few favorite locations, cover those surfaces with aluminum foil.  The sound of urine hitting the foil can be startling enough to discourage the behavior.

If inappropriate urination is the concern, it is time to examine the litter box(es).  If you have recently switched to a different litter, go back to the old brand.  In general, cats prefer unscented, scoopable litters in large, uncovered boxes that are easy to get in and out of.  Recent research also shows that cats tend to prefer litters containing activated carbon to other odor-neutralizing additives.  Make sure that you have one more litter box than there are cats in the home (e.g. three cats need four boxes).  Space them throughout your house so that one cat cannot stake out multiple boxes and terrorize housemates as they “do their business.”  Scoop the boxes once or even twice daily.  Dump out all the litter, wash the boxes thoroughly, and refill them with clean litter at least once a month.  If a cat routinely urinates in one location, place a new box directly over the area and gradually move it to a more desirable spot once the cat is using it regularly. 

If you follow these recommendations and problems continue, call your veterinarian.  Hard core “sprayers” can be effectively treated with certain types of anti-anxiety medications and persistent inappropriate urination may be a symptom of disease.

Article by: Jennifer Coates, DVM