The title of this post is also the title of one of my favorite New Yorker cartoons. And the sentiment expressed is one of the most common problems cat owners face. Feline house soiling is the single biggest behavior topic cat owners want to know about.
First of all we should define the term. Basically it means eliminating, both defecating and urinating, in places other than the litter box. We are talking about horizontal surfaces, too. Urinating on vertical surfaces is more often marking behavior and is the subject of another post. There are a number of diseases that can lead to house soiling too and these should be ruled out and treated first.
There are two basic causes of house soiling in cats; aversion and preference. Aversions are associated with issues around the litter box itself or the ability to access the litter box. Preferences develop for a several reasons and may be associated with the original aversion. Cats may chose a place other than the box due to a preference for the surface. They may actually prefer your carpet to the box. They may also like the cleanliness or location and peace and quiet the preferred location provides.
Aversions can come about due to litter box cleanliness, style or size, litter type and litter box location.
Significant risk factors include the use of scented litter, urinary tract disease, disruptions in the normal routine of the household that leads to changes in box maintenance. Visitors can disrupt the access a cat has to a litter box and the addition of another cat can do the same thing. Social conflicts between cats can sometimes be very subtle.
Dealing with the problem is two pronged and involves making the preferred sites off limits or unattractive and determining what the ideal litter box configuration involves.
You might want to close off the preferred site. You can also change the surface by putting aluminum foil of double sided tape over the site. You'll have to clean it well with an enzymatic preparation and you may need to have it professionally cleaned. In the case of carpet, it might have to go. You can also try putting the litter box on top of the preferred spot.
Determining the ideal litter box situation involves providing a cafeteria of choices and observing over time what your cat prefers. If you have multiple cats you may determine that individual cats have different preferences and that might be the problem. The cafeteria consists of several different boxes with different litter types and box shapes.
You can try plastic storage containers, too. Vary the depth of the litter material and vary the location of the boxes. Keep the boxes and litter types that work. It may take a few weeks to figure out the ideal situation but it will be worth it.
The following list provides general litter box guidelines and is borrowed form a handout developed by the authors of Canine and Feline Behavior. Paying attention to these tips can really help manage and prevent the development of feline house soiling.
Litter Box Tips
- Provide one litter box for each cat in the household, plus one additional box.
- Boxes should be in different locations around the house to provide multiple access points. In multilevel houses boxes should be provided on all levels of the house.
- Make boxes easily accessible, especially for young kittens and older or physically disabled cats.
- Avoid high traffic areas or very remote locations.
- Most cats prefer uncovered boxes.
- Boxes need to be large enough for the cat to move around in the box. The box should be at least 1.5 times the length of the cat. Consider a plastic storage box if the conventional box is too small.
- Replace the box annually. Plastic boxes can retain odors.
- Don't bother the cat when he is doing his business.
Litter
- Most cats prefer unscented, clumping (fine, sand like clay) litter.
- Offer enough litter for digging. it should be at least 1 inch deep.
- Some cats may not like plastic liners.
- Some cats have unusual litter preferences. Use the cafeteria technique to determine the ideal litter preference for your cat.
Cleaning
- Most cats prefer a pristine box.
- Boxes should be scooped at least once per day.
- Boxes should be completely changed with a box cleaning on a regular basis. This can vary from weekly to monthly depending on litter type, cat's hygienic standards and box usage. Dump old litter and wash the box with warm soap and water, rinse thoroughly and refill with clean litter. Avoid using harsh chemicals to clean the box. These can result in aversions. If the box still stinks after you've cleaned it with soap and water, it's time for a new box.
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