Cats have the reputation of being clean, low-maintenance pets. But sometimes a cat who has always used the litter box before will suddenly pick an alternative spot, such as your new carpet or the bathtub. If your cat has started to ignore the litter box in favor of another location, these suggestions should help you get your feline friend back on track.
Take Your Cat to the Vet
The first order of business is a trip to the vet. Cats--especially male cats--can develop painful urinary tract infections. They come to associate the litter box with pain, so they relieve themselves elsewhere in an effort to ease their discomfort.
Also, if you have a male cat who has not been neutered, he may be "spraying" to mark his territory. Getting him fixed should resolve the problem.
Make Sure the Litter Box is Clean
If the vet has checked your cat for medical problems and given her a clean bill of health, it's time to take a look at the litter box. Make sure it is clean--ideally, you should scoop it out at least once a day, more often if it is used by more than one cat. Just think how disgusted you are when you go into the bathroom and find someone hasn't flushed the toilet!
Location is Everything
Your cat's litter box should be in a spot that is private, allows easy access and escape, and is not too near the cat's food. If your house has multiple levels, there should be a littler box on each floor. It's also a good idea to have at least one litter box per cat.
Play Detective
Cats often start soiling outside the box after a change in their lives. This change can be as major as moving to a new home or as minor as switching brands of cat food. Think back to when the problem started. Did anything new or different happen? Did you move the litter box? Get another pet? Start working longer hours? If possible, try to change things back to the way they were before. If that's not possible, give your cat extra love and attention while she adjusts to the new circumstances.
Deal with the "Spot"
There are several ways to deal with the spot where your cat is soiling.
What Doesn't Help
Nobody expects you to be thrilled at finding cat urine or feces on your bedspread, but it's important to keep your temper and not take your frustration out on your cat. Don't hit your cat, scream at him, or rub his nose in the spot where he had the accident. This will only increase his anxiety and make future accidents more likely.
Cats are by nature clean animals. They don't like to make a mess. If your cat has broken his litter box training, that's his way of letting you know something is wrong. Take the time to find out what the problem is, and your cat will be back on his good behavior in no time.
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