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House-Soiling: Trouble Beyond the Litter Box

Unfortunately, cats don’t automatically make the connection to the litter box. Even cats that know the drill will sometimes choose another spot at home. “House-soiling” can become a concern for even the best cat owners. It can be a sign of a serious health issue or simply the result of changes around the house.  Pay close attention for clues to put an early end to a nasty problem for both you and the pet you love.

Signs of a problem:

• A pattern of urinating and/or defecating outside the litter box
• Urine spraying – evidence of urine marks around doorways, windows or new objects in the house

Causes:

• Health issues ranging from diabetes mellitus to lower urinary tract disease
• A dirty litter box or inadequate number of boxes in the home. At least one box per cat is recommended.
• Litter box is located in a remote, noisy or unpleasant surrounding
• Litter box is inappropriate – covered boxes can maintain odors and large cats may not be able to move around enough in small boxes
• Wrong type of litter or sudden change in litter type
• Social changes, such as the addition of a new cat or the sudden presence of outdoor cats

If you change your cat’s litter box infrequently, travel a lot, or have multiple cats at home, you’re more likely to experience a house-soiling problem. Consider making adjustments based on the some of the factors described above. If the problem continues, see your veterinarian to investigate possible health problems. 

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