Whether you have a new kitten or a mature cat, you definitely expect your furry friend to use the litter box when it needs to do its business. But, sometimes that does not always happen. Even when your kitten or cat is usually a regular with connecting with the box, sometimes he or she may make another choice and use the toilet somewhere else in the home, other than the box. House-soiling can become bothersome as well as worrisome for a cat owner.
When your kitten or cat soils the house instead of using the toilet where its supposed to, it is a cause for concern. It could be a sign of a serious cat health issue. Or, it could be nothing more than a reaction to changes made in the home. The important thing to remember is to watch and pay close attention to signs and potential causes of the problem.
House-soiling Problem Signs:
A pattern of finding the cat has urinated and/or defecated outside the box
Evidence of urine spraying around doors, windows or anything new in the home
Spending a long time in the litter box
Making sounds while relieving itself
Going to the litter box more often than usual
Potential House-soiling Causes:
Cat health issues such as feline diabetes or a lower urinary tract infection
An unclean litter box or, if you have more than one cat, an inadequate number of litter boxes in the home. If you have multiple boxes, place them in different rooms.
The box is located in a disturbing surrounding
Wrong size or type of litter box; covered boxes can smell bad, which cats do not like. Additionally, larger cats might not be able to move well in small boxes
Suddenly changing kitty litter type or the cat may not like a particular type of cat litter
Changes in the social surroundings, such as a new cat in the home
These are some of the most common signs and causes of house-soiling. Remember, if you do not scoop and change the box frequently or have multiple cats, your home is more likely to be soiled. Also, being away from the home too often can result in your cat doing its business outside of the litter box. The best thing to do is consider making a few adjustments to see if it makes a difference. If not, it is a good idea to speak with your veterinarian about possible cat health issues.
These are some tips to make your special kitty as happy as possible.
