Feline inappropriate urination, by Dr. Suzanne

Feline inappropriate urination (house soiling) can be a very frustrating situation to deal with. Hopefully the following will help you understand why your cat may be doing this, and will help you resolve the issue.

There are three primary causes of inappropriate elimination in cats:

1. Medical problems such as urinary tract infections, bladder stones, stress, or metabolic diseases such as diabetes or kidney disease.
2. Litter box aversion.
3. Territorial (spraying)

Medical problems

A cat that is urinating in the house should be examined by a veterinarian to rule out medical problems. Your veterinarian may run a urinalysis, blood work, and/or x- rays to do this. If no medical problem is detected, the inappropriate elimination may be assumed to be a behavioral problem.

Litter Box Aversion

This is due to dissatisfaction with the litter box, the litter, the cleanliness of the box, or the location of the box. It is usually characterized by urinating on horizontal surfaces in low traffic areas, such as the corner of the room, or the floor. Recommendations to help with this are:

1) Length of the litter box should be at least 2.5 times the length of the cat.
2) Use non hooded boxes and do not use litter liners.
3) Clean box daily and wash with soap and water at least once a week.
4) Have one box per cat in the home plus one additional, and place in different locations and even at the sights of inappropriate elimination.
5) Prevent access to the area where the elimination has been occurring when possible.

Spraying

Spraying usually occurs in multiple cat households for territorial reasons and is on vertical surfaces. It is a normal instinctual behavior in intact cats. It can also be a response to a change in the environment such as a new pet or baby, construction, or even a stray cat outside near windows or doors. Recommendations to prevent this are: spaying/neutering your cat, place items at the site of urination to dissuade your cat such as moth balls or aluminum foil, close curtains to prevent your cat from seeing outdoor cats. Feliway is a pheromone diffuser that can also be helpful in preventing spraying. Medications available from your veterinarian can also be helpful if other modifications have been unsuccessful.

Written by Dr. Suzanne Brough, DVM

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Read more or contact Dr. Suzanne:

Suzanne Brough, DVM
Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice
Naples Florida
drsuzanne@lapoflove.com |drsuzanne@lapoflove.com www.lapoflove.com

 Dr. Bansel services towns in and around Collier and Lee counties including: Naples, Estero, Bonita Springs, Ft Myers, and Port Charlotte.

Environmental Enrichment for Cats, by Dr. Suzanne

Photo by Cuba Gallery
(Click to see original on Flickr)

Indoor cats live longer and healthier lives due to the fact that they are not exposed to the dangers that outdoor cats have (cars, other animals, toxins, etc.). However, environmental enrichment is extremely important for indoor only cats to prevent them from being deprived of natural behaviors such as hunting, exploring, and social interaction. The stress of limited environmental stimulation can negatively impact your cat, and lead to many behavioral and medical problems such as obesity, inappropriate elimination, inflammation of the urinary tract, anxiety, and aggression.

Photo by Matt Ducke
(Click to see original on Flickr)

Feeding and Diet

In the wild, cats eat 10-20 small meals over a 24 hour period. Therefore, feeding multiple small meals throughout the day is more consistent with natural feeding habits. While leaving dry food out all day ,ay make this easier, most wet foods tend to be lower in carbohydrates and higher in protein which can help with maintaining lean body weight. In addition, there are many ways to encourage your cat to hunt for their food such as food balls or food pyramids. It is also best to provide at least one bowl per cat in the home to prevent any competition, and place food bowls in a quiet or elevated area so that they may feel safe.

Photo by Amy Shojai
(Click to see original on Flickr)

Litter Boxes

Litter boxes should be placed in different locations throughout the house, and be in places where your cat will feel safe. They should be cleaned at least once daily, and washed with soap and water once a week. As a general rule, you should have one litter box per cat in the home, plus one. Large, uncovered boxes are usually preferred, however some cats prefer covered boxes. There are many different types of litter available, and it is best to alow your cat to choose by providing as assortment of litters, and ultimately selecting the one that he/she likes

Photo by Angus
(Click to see original on Flickr)

Scratching Posts

Scratching is a natural behavior for cats to both sharpen their claws and to mark their territory. Cat scratchers should be placed in your cats favorite areas of the house. Most pets prefer vertical to horizontal scratchers, but try both and entice your cat by placing cat nip, toys or treats on it. Never yell or punish your cat when scratching furniture, but instead use double sided tape to defer him from that location. In addition, praise your cat when he/she uses the scratcher.

Photo by Jasar Creative
(Click to see original on Flickr)

Perching or Climbing Towers

High places, such as perches are very important to their natural behavior because cats like to climb and prefer high places. It allows them to feel safe, and watch from above. One perch per cat is ideal, and should be placed in your cats favorite places, preferably near a window.

Photo by Adam Russell
(Click to see original on Flickr)

Toys and Mental Stimulation

This is also an extremely important factor in an indoor only cat’s life. Mental stimulation can be provided by window seats near a bird feeder, or a variety of cat toys (laser light to simulate bugs, toys tied to a string to simulate rodents). Be sure to rotate toys, and put them away after playing to prevent a loss on interest.

Photo by Niklas Pivic
(Click to see original on Flickr)

Social Interactions with Humans

Spending time every day brushing, petting, or playing with your cat is one of the most important aspects of environmental enrichment for your cat. At least 15 minutes per day is encouraged.

Written by Dr. Suzanne Brough, DVM

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Read more or contact Dr. Suzanne:

Suzanne Brough, DVM
Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice
Naples Florida
drsuzanne@lapoflove.com |drsuzanne@lapoflove.com www.lapoflove.com

 Dr. Bansel services towns in and around Collier and Lee counties including: Naples, Estero, Bonita Springs, Ft Myers, and Port Charlotte.