In households with more than seven cats, it’s likely that one or more of the cats will spray.Ĭats may spray when they perceive a threat to their territory, such as when a new cat enters the home or when outside cats are nearby. Cats that spray are usually unneutered males and, to a lesser extent, unspayed females, but 10% of neutered males and 5% of neutered females also spray. Cats don’t squat to spray, as they do to urinate. A spraying cat will stand, lift its tail and quiver, then spray small puddles of urine in several consistent locations (see Figure 1). By spraying small amounts of urine around an area, a cat announces his or her presence, establishes or maintains territorial boundaries, or advertises that he or she is ready to mate.Ĭats usually spray on vertical surfaces, like the backs of chairs or walls. Another equally normal but less pleasant marking behavior is urine spraying - the deposition of small amounts of urine around a given area. When your cat rubs against your leg with his face, or scratches his scratching post, he is also depositing his scent from the glands in his cheeks and paws. She may then develop a preference for the new site and continue to eliminate there. For example, a cat with a urinary tract disorder that can’t make it to the litter box in time will urinate wherever she is. One cause for house soiling may lead to another. Cats that prefer an alternate location often have an aversion to the current litter box location.Īs with aversions, cats that prefer certain surfaces or locations may continue to use the litter box inconsistently. For example, a cat that finds it pleasing to eliminate on soft surfaces like clothing or carpets would be unlikely to use tile floors. Cats that prefer certain surfaces usually stick with that choice. In this case, the cat may have a preference for a type of surface or for a location. Your cat may dislike something about your litter box, but it’s also possible he or she just prefers eliminating in another spot. Depending on how much your cat wants to avoid the litter box, he may continue to use it, but only inconsistently. You may find puddles of urine or feces on soft surfaces like carpets, beds, or clothing, or on hard surfaces like tile floors or bathtubs. It could be the box, the litter, the location of the box, or all three that your cat finds unsavory.Ī cat with an aversion to her litter box will usually eliminate on a variety of surfaces. Finally, age-related diseases that interfere with a cat’s mobility or with his cognitive functions can influence his ability to get to the litter box in time.Īn aversion to the litter box can also lead to house soiling. Similarly, digestive tract problems may make it painful for a cat to defecate, increase the frequency or urgency, and decrease a cat’s control over defecation. Kidney and thyroid diseases as well as diabetes mellitus are also possible culprits in a failure to use the litter box, as they often lead a cat to drink more and urinate more frequently. These experiences can cause a cat to urinate or defecate outside the litter box, particularly if he associates the litter box with pain. Inflammation of the urinary tract, for instance, can make urinating painful and increase the frequency and urgency of urination. Your cat may have litter box trouble for any number of reasons, including medical problems, an aversion to the litter box, or a preference for urinating or defecating in places outside the box.Īny medical condition that interferes with a cat’s normal urination or defecation behavior can cause litter box problems. Why do cats eliminate outside the litter box? The solution to your cat’s problem will depend on the underlying causes of their behavior. House soiling is the most common behavior problem reported by cat owners. Feline Vision Problems: A Host of Possible Causes
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