One of the most frustrating problems for cat owners is urination outside of the litter box. This problem can be damaging to property, emotionally trying for the owner and a very difficult problem to solve. Why is my cat having accidents outside of the litter box? Veterinarians approach these cases in two ways. The first question a veterinarian tries to answer when seeking a resolution to this problem is. Is there an underlying physical disease? Bladder infections, lower urinary tract infections, cystitis, urinary tract calculi, diabetes mellitus, renal disease, can all cause aberrant urination problems. Diarrhea from internal parasites, diet change, hyperthyroidism, colitis, and other malabsorption problems can all cause, defecation accidents outside of the litter box. The second question one needs to answer; is the problem behavioral? Behavior problems can arise from separation anxiety, bringing another member into the house hold be it another pet or person. Sexual behavior, in intact animals or dominance issues. I have even experienced cats that have started having elimination issues out of revenge and irritation from fleas. These problems manifest themselves in urine and feces being deposited in areas other than the litter box. Sometimes the location of the "accident can help determine if it is a physical or psychological problem.

You must also determine if the cat is urinating or urine marking, (spraying). Urinating is usually done on a flat surface, marking is most generally done on a horizontal surface. Cats may avoid a litter box if they associate it with something negative, a dirty box, new litter, punishment, etc. They may sometimes develop a preference for urination and defecating in a substance other that litter. Urine maring is usually related to a form of sexual or dominat behavior and can occur even if the animal has been fixed.

Your veterinarian will first try to eliminate any possible underlying physical problem. A complete history and physical exam, blood work, urinalysis and urine culture, ultrasonagraphy radiology and contrast radiography of the bladder to eliminate the possibility of uroliths or infection. A fecal examination is performed to rule out internal parasites, in the case of diarrhea, and in cases where more serious problems are suspected biopsies may be performed to rule out other maladies.

If the possibility of an underlying pathology has been eliminated, management techniques can be done to increase the attractiveness of the littler box. Clean the box properly, remove urine and feces daily and remove the cover if present, increase the frequency of littler renewal and always renew the littler completely at least twice weekly. Automated litter boxes work well for people with full schedules and are not able to clean up the litter box frequently. Increase the number of litter boxes in the house, make sure that the box is large enough for your cat that is going to be using it try to place the box near the area that the accidents are occurring and try to us a covered litter box for cats that are a little reclusive. Try to have at least one litter box for each floor of your home. Do not be afraid to experiment with different types of littler material until you find the one your cat prefers.

Try to break the marking pattern by decreasing the attractiveness of the area where the problem is occurring . Clean and deodorize the area thoroughly with an odor neutralizing product, such as kennelSol, urine off or Pet Butler. DO NOT USE AMMONIA as a disinfectant when cleaning up urine, it will promote urination in that spot since ammonia smells like degraded urine and at one time in the distant past, ammonia was manufactured from urine. Other techniques to decrease the attractiveness of the area in which the cat is eliminating is to alter the surface of the area that the cat has chosen to use. Cover carpets with a protective surface, leave sinks or tubs filled with water, but not so much that the cat could drown. Pick up dirty clothes and try to restrict access to rooms that cats are using for their potty areas.

Urine marking is one of the hardest cat behavior problems to solve. It is an uphill battle against thousands of years of natural behavior. Most of the time neutering or spaying of your cat before this behavior begins will prevent this problem. In neutered cats that are spraying solving the problem can be more challenging. Reduce the number of cats in the house hold, restrict access of outside cats to windows and doors. Keep your cats inside. Place food and water in the area where the marking is occurring, and some psycho tropic drugs can be used with effect change the behavior of the cat.

Kennel Products we recommend to remove cat urine odor. Kennel Sol, AOE, TriFectant, The Equalizer Carpet cleaner, Pet Butler, Kilz paint, for urine stains on cement, and plain old bleach. Remember the solution to pollution is dilution.