Litter Box Problems
Even well trained cats may occasionally stop using their litter box and develop a
house-soiling problem. If this problem should occur in your cat, it is first important to
determine the underlying cause before attempting to stop the unwanted behavior.
Reasons Cats Stop Using the Litter Box
Cats who start to house-soil after having been reliably using their litter box may
do so because of a litter box aversion, a surface or location preference, or to mark
territory. Determining the reason that your cat is house-soiling is the first step toward
solving the problem.
- The most common cause of house-soiling in cats is an aversion to the box.
Aversions develop for a variety of reasons. These include a dirty box (some cats are very
particular about the cleanliness of their box!), dissatisfaction with the type of box or
litter, or having had a painful or frightening experience while in or near the
box.
- Some cats develop a location or surface preference. This occurs when a cat
finds a room or type of surface that he prefers to his box. Typical surface preferences
include soft materials such as beds and carpets, or cool, smooth surfaces such as sinks and
bathtubs.
- Cats who show a location preference will usually choose an area of the home
that is quiet and protected or a spot where a litter box was kept previously.
- Medical disorders are often the initial cause of a litter box aversion in
cats who were previously using their box. Cats with urinary tract infections or urinary
crystals may urinate outside of their litter box and cats with intestinal diseases such as
irritable bowel disease or intestinal parasites may stop using their box for defecation. The
problem develops because the cat associates the pain of elimination while he is ill with the
litter box. In fact, many cats will continue to avoid the litter box even after the medical
problem has been resolved, and so never have the opportunity to learn that eliminating in
the box is no longer painful. Therefore, if your cat has suddenly started to house soil, the
first step is to have your veterinarian conduct a complete medical examination to check for
underlying medical problems.
Finally, cats may urinate outside of their litter box to mark territory.
Spraying is the most common form of urine marking, and is most frequently seen in male cats
who have not been neutered. Cats may begin to urine mark after the introduction of a new cat
or if there has been a change in their living situation or daily routine.
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