Making Sure Your Cat is Using the Catbox

One great thing about running Mom & Pup's is helping people solve their pet's problems. It seems like at least once a week a customer complains of their cat urinating everywhere but their litter boxes. Here are some simple steps to make sure your cat is using its catbox.

1) Is there a medical reason? Oftentimes cats with kidney issues and bladder stones find urination painful. They associate the box with this pain and avoid using it. Get your cat checked by a vet to rule out any health issues. Also un-neutered male cats will spray like crazy in order to ward off other males and alert females to their presence. Always spay or neuter your pet. There are great programs like "Casper's Fund" or Spay and Neuter Team of Atlanta which offer low cost altering options.

2) What's changed? Cats are creatures of habit. They aren't fond of non-toy related surprises. Have you changed litters? Put a new mat in front of Kitty's box? Gotten a new pet? A new boyfriend? A new work schedule? While cats aren't malicious, it is common for them to express their feelings by urinating where they're not supposed to.

3) Do you have more than one cat? You should have one litter box for each cat in different places of the house. Even littermates who share a food bowl and sleep curled up together may be "guarding the box." Chances are you'll never see this behavior but that doesn't mean it's not happening.

4) Is the box dirty? Cats are fastidious creatures. Just as you turn your nose up at a dirty public restroom, cats are loath to go in a dirty box. Keep it scooped every day. Once a week scrub it out with a weak bleach solution. Rinse it out and then rinse it some more.