One of the most common complaints of cat owners is inappropriate elimination, meaning that their cat is not using their litter box for urine and/or feces.
Cats eliminate by urinating, defecating and urine spraying. Cats will urinate by squatting typically twice daily and will defecate solid waste at least once daily. A squatting posture is what is usually used to urinate; a cat will dig with its front paws to make a depression in the litter, then squat and deposit urine or feces.
Spraying is typically done standing, and urine is sprayed on vertical surfaces. Spraying is indicative of marking territory, a form of communication. A dominant cat may or may not cover its deposits to send a signal to other cats in the environment, and they also may control access to elimination sites.
Cats will choose where to eliminate in their environment based on how they socially interact with other cats, the site they use and substrate preference.
The preferred number of litter boxes in a multi-cat household is the number of cats plus one. Placing multiple litter boxes in strategic locations in the household may help prevent inappropriate elimination in homes with multiple cats.
The best type of litter box is one that is at least 1.5 times the length of a cat’s body, or longer. Most commercially available litter boxes are too small for an average cat. Sweater boxes or other large plastic tubs with low sides are more readily accepted by cats. If your cat is elderly, keep in mind that high-sided access may be difficult for an older, arthritic kitty.
Choose a fine-grained substrate for the litter; clumping unscented litter is best. Keep litter boxes clean by scooping at least once daily, which helps reduce elimination issues. Wash litter boxes with a non-ammonia cleaner once weekly.
Cats also prefer no lid or liner, as these trap odors that may be noxious. Interestingly, a cat that digs more than four times before eliminating prefers their litter box set up; those that dig four times or less may have elimination issues.
Consult with your veterinarian if your cat is straining to urinate with no production of urine, vocalizing while urinating, licking at the genitalia, blood in the urine, or there are appetite changes, vomiting or changes in behavior.
These may be signs of a more serious medical condition that warrants medication or diet change.
Inappropriate elimination often accompanies a medical condition and does not mean your cat is “getting back at you.” A physical exam, blood work, urinalysis and imaging (radiographs and/or ultrasound) can be helpful to diagnose or rule out issues leading to inappropriate elimination.
