Urine Trouble Kitty

Many people will agree that there is nothing harder than getting the smell of cat urine out of carpet and furniture! Even a normally fastidious feline can suddenly start peeing outside of the box, or spraying the walls.

AGE

When kitty becomes a senior they can suffer from arthritis pain. This pain can discourage the use of litter boxes.

Solution: Have your vet check your cat to see if pain management is an option. Purchasing a low-sided pan with no cover can also be helpful as it is easier to access.

PAIN

As with aging joints, other pain can cause kitty to associate using the litter tray with discomfort. This can range from urinary tract infections to impacted bowels. Each can be life threatening for a cat!

Solution: Have your vet check them for an UTI infection and alert them if your cat strains during a bowel movement or if there is blood in their stool.

TERRITORIAL MARKING

If you have multiple cats or stray cats that roam around outside this can make your kitty feel insecure in his or her environment. This is also one of the more difficult behaviors to correct in felines. For this there are multiple solutions depending on the situation.

• Spay and neuter as early as possible. This goes especially for males as once a tom begins to spray this behavior can remain even after the procedure.

• Drive off strays or feed them further from your home. Another option is to have them fixed as well. This will also help with cat over-population so you’ll be doing a good deed.

• Remember the rule: a litter box for each cat in your home plus one extra. Territorial cats can resource guard and having less to fight over can make him happier in their environment.

If all else fails, seeking a cat behaviorist can help give you further insight into causes and solutions for your cat’s naughty habits!