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INNAPROPRIATE TOILETING

Cats are by nature very clean and will always choose to use a litter tray in preference to anywhere else in the house. If this is not the case, never punish your cat. He isn’t doing it to spite or annoy you. He’s doing it for a reason, something has gone wrong… Your job is to find out what!
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3 reasons

There are 3 main reasons why your cat is toileting inappropriately

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  • Health issues

  • Litter tray problems

  • Stress related problems

Health issues

If you cat has suddenly started urinating around the house and it is out of character for him, it could be a medical reason such as Cystitis or urinary crystals. This could cause him to strain and only pass small amounts of urine each time. If this is the case you should take your cat to the vet for a check-up.

Marking / urinating

All cats can spray, whether male or female, neutered or entire, although it is most common in entire males. Sexually active cats will spray urine from their anal glands that is full of pheromones to indicate their readiness for mating. Marking is very different to emptying a bladder. When a cat marks/sprays it will usually stand up, quiver its tail and spray backwards onto a vertical surface. When a cat is emptying its bladder it will squat and urinate onto a horizontal surface. Outdoor cats will often spray to mark their own ‘territory’ to let other cats know he lives there.

Why does it smell so strong?

Cats use urine as a scent signal; it lets other cats know of his presence and status. This is the main reason for cats urinating in the home. Females in season have high levels of oestrogen in their urine to attract toms, and they leave a highly pungent spray which is a combination of urine and secretions from their anal glands. There is an easy fix for this one… Get your cat neutered and he will no longer feel the need to show his status and won’t be attracted to females in season.


Once a cat has found a new place to go, their sensitive noses will encourage them to use that area again, creating an unwanted cycle. To break this habit, keep the cat away from the area or cover the area for as long as possible. Wash the area with 10% biological washing powder and water, rinse with cold water and spray with surgical spirit, scrub and leave to dry. (Test on an inconspicuous area first). Don’t use bleach since it’s made up using ammonia type agents which when broken down smell just like the smell you are trying to get rid of  and won’t put the cat off. Provide more than 1 tray. You might have en suite, why shouldn’t he?

Litter tray issues (hygiene is key here!)

There are numerous reasons why your cat might have decided not to use the cat litter you have provided. In order to try to work out why, you have to think like your cat.

Dirty trays

Cats don’t like dirty litter trays. Some will not use them if they have been soiled. Changing it every day will solve this problem. If you’re using the clumping sort of litter, it’s very absorbent and will soon become a solid block if not changed regularly enough. This is often the reason you cat will go close to the litter tray but not actually in it.

Type of cat litter

Cats sometimes have a preference and will not use certain types. Compressed wood pellets, paper pellets or clumping are most popular but some like fine grain with the texture of sand. Try placing a couple of different types in the cat's normal litter tray area and see which he favours.

Litter liners

Some cats just don’t like litter liners in their tray, they can get their claws caught when they scratch in their tray. If you use newspaper to line their litter, don’t complain when they pee on your Sunday papers or the recycling pile.

What are you washing the litter tray with?

Cats don’t like strong smelling products and some disinfectants that turn the water white actually have phenols which are toxic to cats. Use a pet friendly disinfectant. Don’t use scented litter, you might like ‘pine fresh’ but your cat might not like it and they have to get a lot closer to it that you do!

What are you washing the litter tray with?

Cats don’t like strong smelling products and some disinfectants that turn the water white actually have phenols which are toxic to cats. Use a pet friendly disinfectant. Don’t use scented litter, you might like ‘pine fresh’ but your cat might not like it and they have to get a lot closer to it that you do!

Type of litter tray

Basic litter tray

Some cats prefer a basic open cat litter but do make sure it’s big enough for him to have a good scratch and dig in and make sure he can move around in it. An average cat will need a litter tray to be about 40cm x 30cm as a minimum. Remember he’s not a kitten anymore. (If he throws it all over the floor whilst he’s scratching in it try placing the whole litter tray inside a bigger box.

Rimmed litter tray
these are similar to the basic litter tray but have a rim facing inwards to help keep the litter in the tray and not scattered all over the place.
Covered litter tray
these are like a cat carrier but have a plastic free-swinging flap instead of a lockable door so the cat can come and go easily (take the door of to begin with if he won’t use it. They often have a charcoal filter built into the top of them to help reduce any unpleasant smells. Some cats prefer the privacy of these but remember the build-up of the gases in there. If it’s bad he won’t use it. Also make sure its tall enough for him.
Where is it positioned?
Cats need to feel relaxed when they use their tray as it puts them in a vulnerable position. If you keep it next to the back door where someone could walk in at any minute he might understandably be a bit reticent to go! If an intruder walked in they wouldn’t be able to make a getaway if they felt threatened. That quiet area next to your wardrobe might appear much more alluring!
 
Is it somewhere quiet and out of the way? Would you go in the middle of your lounge with all the family watching? Or he’s right in the middle of his business and the washing machine starts the spin cycle.
 
Does he have to go in front of the dog? If the dog decides to play chase now he couldn’t defend himself or escape.
Do you expect him to use a litter tray next to his eating area? YUK! how uncivilised and unhygienic!
 
Is there more than one cats using it? Sometimes they just don’t want to share. As a general rule you should have the same number of litter trays to the number of cats at various places throughout the house plus one.
 
If you have an old cat with arthritis can they gain access easily to their tray?

Stress related issues

Cats can be fickle creatures and things that we perhaps don’t even think twice about can really affect your hypersensitive cat.

Strangers – if your cat has to pass visitors in your house to get to his litter tray, he may not take the risk.

Could he feel threatened? Have the neighbours got a new dog?

Have you replaced your carpet with wood flooring?

Have you rearranged your furniture?

Does he have other cats that could be worrying him?

If you have a fearful cat, make sure there is a litter tray in his chosen area of retreat.

If the inappropriate toileting is becoming a problem you might need to go back to basics.

If you have got to this stage and none of the above has helped, you should confine your cat to one small room with his food, water, bed, toys, scratching post and litter tray. Make sure the area is quiet and he won’t be too disturbed. Keep on top of the litter tray, make sure it stays clean. Give him lots of attention (if that’s what he’s used to!). Stick with this for a about a week, by which time he should have got used to the new routine of using a cat litter tray. Then allow him some time out to venture to another room in the house but not free access to everywhere. Keep other doors shut until his newly learned habits have become established. Re-introduce the rest of the house room by room, only going onto the next room when everything is going well, any lapses – go back a step. Make sure there are a few litter trays around the new rooms. When the cat finally has access to the whole house again (or the areas you allow) you can begin to reduce the number of cat litters, but again, any lapses go back a step. Don’t rush, better to take time doing it properly than having to go back to the beginning and starting all over again. If you have trouble remembering to change the litter write it down or put a ‘post it note’ on the cat food dish. Better to take 2 minutes to quickly change the litter than half an hour cleaning it up and complaining about the smell!

If you are still having problems repeat this process in the confined room but re-check all of the above advice. The answer is in there somewhere. Sometimes you just have to admit defeat…
 

If your cat is unwell
If your cat is old and just can’t make it to the tray in time. He doesn’t feel proud of himself. Just clean it up - remember it’s not his fault. You’ll expect someone to clear up after you at that stage of life too. Just make it as easy as you can on yourself, give a choice of litters and keep doors shut where you don’t want the cat to go.

If your outside cat is getting on a bit, he might now want a cat litter indoors to save him having to go out.

If you’re cat has diarrhoea and wasn’t quick enough.

If you have an outside cat - It’s pouring down. Would you go out there? Always have a litter tray available, even if your cat usually goes outside… just leave it for a rainy day.

If you take the opportunity to ‘pill’ your cat while he’s in the middle of using his tray. He’ll make sure he doesn’t make that mistake again. Let him pee in peace!
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