Is this territorial?

What can be done about it?

Answer If you've not done so already, have him thoroughly examined by your veterinarian to make sure he has no underlying problems causing him to urinate excessively. Many diseases or infections will cause excessive urination. If there are no medical problems, then the urination is likely a behavioral problem.

Your cat may be marking his territory, or he may have some problem with the letterbox you're using: the type, amount, or cleanliness of the litter; the location of the box, etc. Sudden changes or stress such as introducing a new cat or dog to the household, moving, or the addition of a new family member can cause a cat to stop using his letterbox, as well. If your cat is not neutered, then it is highly recommend that that be done.

How many letterboxes do you have? What kind of litter are you using? The letterbox should be cleaned at least once daily. If you've recently changed litter brands, change back! Cats can be very particular about the kind of litter they use. If you haven't changed litter, try adding another box with a completely different type of litter in it.

Most cats prefer scoop able (clumping), unscented litter in uncovered boxes. Stay away from litters with lots of fragrance. As an experiment, try putting three (at least) letterboxes in your house. Place them right at or near the exact spots where he's urinating inappropriately, and scoop all boxes daily. This is just one example of things you can try.

If your cat is still urinating outside the box, consult with your veterinarian or a pet behaviorist. Another option is medical therapy. Discuss medications with your veterinarian. You may need to give your cat a pill once a day or once a week, depending on the medication. Some of the medications have side effects and some don't work very well. It really depends on the cat, and it may take some experimentation to solve the problem.

Letterbox problems can be very difficult to correct, especially if they have been going on for awhile. In most cases, however, they CAN be solved, so don't give up too easily!

Litter Box Training a Kitten

Question

My kitten can't seem to learn to use the letter box.

What should I do?

Answer

Most kittens are born with the instinct to use the litter box and will do it without training, but there is the occasional exception. If your kitten just won't use the box, maybe it's his way of telling you about a medical problem like a urinary tract infection. A trip to the veterinarian will ensure that your little guy is healthy and that he's resisting the litter box for some other reason.

If your kitten has a clean bill of health, you can check to see if the box is appropriate for him. Young kittens may be too small to climb over the sides of a full-sized litter box easily. Using an old cake pan as a box may help. Also, since it's harder for kittens to move around, make sure there is at least one box on every floor of your house--ideally, you should have one in every room your kitty spends time in, until he gets a little older.

Make a point of showing the kitten where the boxes are; set him right inside them so he can dig around in the litter. Often the texture of the litter itself will stimulate cats to relieve themselves in it. If you have the opportunity, you also could have your kitty spend some time with a (kitten-friendly) older cat in your home. Kittens can learn well from example.