LITTER TRAINING YOUR CAT EFFECTIVELY!
14/11/2018
Top 10 Tips to Reduce Your Cat
from Peeing / Defecating Outside the Litter Tray!
1: Clean the mess up straight away -
Clean the mess up straight away using a enzymatic or bacteria cleaner on fabrics such a rugs, carpets and upholstery! Use a black light/UV light to pick up areas of trouble spots, and your nose can help with identifying other areas. If it's fresh get up as much as possible using paper kitchen towels or super absorbent fabric towels. When cleaning up always follow advice on the bottle of cleaning solutions and test in a small area first.
2: Identify the problem -
identify the problem upon finding the pee where it's not supposed to be! Determine if it''s from spraying or urination.
Cats urinate and spray for different reasons, as such each is treated differently. When cats spray, they often stand in front of the item and will squirt a small amount of urine on to it. So if your UV light picks up a small squirt it's usually spraying.
When cats urinate, they usually squat similar to female dogs lean forward and release a large amount of urine horizontally across the floor.
3: Combat the problem immediately –
Leaving it will end up with the pet making the behaviour habit forming, so you do not want this to happen. Generally intact male cats are more common to spray than females. Easy answer any cats not part of a breeding program should be neutered, preferably before puberty but after kitten hood. Also if a neutered cat is spraying try to reassure it and make it more safe around the home.
Where there is more than one cat in the same house sometimes it helps for each cat to have it's own favourite room and territory. This might not be possible, if not think about getting them elevated cat perches, beds, baskets, and occasionally covered escape routes so if they want to avoid each other they can. Some cats may need the help of over the counter anti anxiety relieving products.
When in doubt always check with your veterinarian as they may prescribe a form of medication called fluoxetine.
4: Add more litter boxes -
Common mistake in most kitten friendly homes is not enough litter boxes!
If your cat is urinating inappropriately more than spraying, then check the litter box.
Ask your self if it's big enough and are there enough of them? Easy rule to remember is one box per cat, plus an extra one if need be. We all know cats can be very picky about their litter trays even more so if a tray already contains urine or faeces. If that isn't their faeces then quadruple their anxiety over using the tray. As such if you have more boxes then the more times the cat will be easily pleased and more accommodating to using a litter tray.
5: Suitable Litter Box/Tray Location -
Ask your self is the litter box in the best location. If you have more than one floor then you need more than one location. Would you want to be running around to go to the toilet, neither does your cat. Also make them easy to find, do not hide them away in corners or cupboards. Very Important if the cat is still missing the box and pees in the same area, then clean the area up then place the box in that area.
6: Try a variety of boxes –
As cats get older they want boxes with smaller sides to step over. Ideal boxes should be large, open and easy to step over. Usually one of the four sides is slightly lower to make it easier to step in and out of.
7: Clean the litter box regularly –
This should be common sense but often overlooked. A box should be scooped out daily and fresh cat litter added. Then at least once a month remove all the cat litter completely, wash and clean the box/tray thoroughly.
8: Type of Cat Litter –
Generally the best type is unscented, low in dust, clumping clay with activated charcoal. However if you used any other type, introduce the new one, whilst they use the old one. This enables them an easier transition.
9: Social Dynamics and Altercations –
Occasionally cats don't get along, could be anew cat being introduced or changes in the environment within the household. If this happens then look at separating them for a small time to improve dynamics. Reintroduce slowly and ensure they have choice of litter boxes so tension doesn't escalate over individual boxes or routes etc.
10: Check with the Vet –
Finally and most importantly if the cat is peeing inappropriately book them a check up with the vet. Some medical ailments can cause the cat to urinate more than normal so it is very important to rule medical reasons out as well as behavioural.
Three common medical problems are urinary tract infection/disorder, diabetes and kidney problems. If it's not a medical problem then the vet may refer you to a behaviourist to help at home or give you pointers on things to do at home, then ask you to come back at a later date for a review.
This article was compiled with the help of –
Jennifer Coates (DVM) and the unedited abridged version can be found on the following link @petmd
https://www.petmd.com/cat/slideshows/training/top-ten-ways-to-stop-peeing-outside-litter-box