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Litter Box Problems
and Cat "Spraying"
Adopting a Shelter
Dog or Puppy
Litter Box Problems and Cat "Spraying"
Kate's Commentary:
"One question I am asked frequently is about litter box problems and cat "spraying". Since this can be a fairly complex issue, I've included several things here for you to consider. Remember, your Cat is as much of an individual as you are, so your observation of his particular "rhythms", his timing, etc. will be valuable in helping your Vet or Animal Behavorist if you decide to seek counsel over this problem. First, however, read what follows ... maybe something here will make sense and be of help."Dr. Mike Richards,DVM:
"Litterpan problems and spraying are very common in cats. It helps to think about this problem from the cat's point of view sometimes when trying to deal with it. Cats like to have a clean, inviting place to "go". Remember some of the dirty bathrooms you have had to decide whether to use or not, and you can relate to this feeling. So it is very important to make the littepan as attractive as possible for use. Keep it very clean. some cats appreciate the covered boxs, some don't.Use a litter that the cat likes. The litterpan should be in a convenient, but private or at least semi-private site. It helps very much to have one more litterpan than you have cats. In multicat households where this is impractical, it can help to give the problem cat access to the litterpan, alone, for several minutes twice a day.
When a cat is using a place in the house other than the litterpan to urinate or defecate, the opposite is true. You want to make these spots unattractive. Cleaning the area with an enzymatic cleaner so the cat is not drawn back to the same site helps. Putting plastic or aluminum foil over the area, if possible, can be very helpful. Putting the litterpan at the site the cat prefers, then very gradually moving it to a site you like, can be helpful.
Cats may not be using the litterpan because they are ill. Cystitis (a bladder infection or inflammation) is a common problem that can lead to litterpan aversion. One theory is that the cat associates the litterpan with the painful sensation or urinating with this disease and avoids it. Some anatomical defects can lead to an increased need to urinate frequently. Diseases that increase the need to urinate, like diabetes and hyperthyroidism should be ruled out if that seems appropriate. Disorders that might affect a cat's ability to get to the litterpan, like low potassium levels in the bloodstream or arthritis need to be considered. If there are no medical problems and good litterpan maintenance is in place, then the problem is more likely to be behavioral.
Some cats are not using the litterpan because they are marking territory. This can occur in either male or female cats. It is more common in cats in multi-cat households, especially if there are five or more cats.
It can also occur when an inside cat is bothered by frequent appearances of an outside cat at the windows. In this case, limiting access to seeing the other cat can help.
If a cat is not neutered or spayed, this should be done first. Neutering or spaying is often helpful, even after urine marking (spraying) behavior is established. Currently, it is estimated that 80 to 90% of cats will stop urine marking within a couple of months after being operated on.
When neutering or spaying alone does not work, urine marking behavior is often responsive to medical therapy with medications like diazepam (Valium) or buspirone (Buspar).We have had pretty good success lately with a product called Feliway (Rx), which is a synthetic reproduction of a natural phermone of cats that helps to inhibit spraying. It is important to follow the directions. It sometimes helps to stop letting cats outside when spraying occurs. Anti-anxiety drugs like diazepam (Valium Rx), amitriptyline (Elavil Rx) and others will sometimes help to reduce the anxiety level to a point where the cat won't spray. Obviously, this has its shortcomings, since the pills have to administered and they do have effects like sedation or decreased activity. We really like Feliway and feel that it is worth a try. It is a little expensive but if you don't let that deter you it may be a good solution."
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