Expert: Ali - 9/3/2008

Question
Hi, my cat has been going outside to do his toilet routine for 4 years, he is now 5.
We had a new cat flap fitted which he can use, but he has started urinating in the house in the same spot.
It seems to be happening on a daily basis over the last week.
Can you offer me any advice on handling this situation?
Thanks
Caroline


Answer
Caroline,

In all cases of inappropriate elimination the first recommendation is always to seek veterinary advice. Cats that are urinating or defecating outside of their litter box or inside of the house could potentially have serious health issues like crystals in their urine or a cat may also be experiencing serious discomfort related to a urinary tract infection. Either of these conditions cause discomfort and must be treated promptly to avoid long term complications. It's also a good idea to clean any accidents that the cat has with an enzymatic cleaner like Petzyme which will permanently remove the odor and stain rather than masking it. Enzymatic cleaners work by using beneficial bacteria that digest the components of organic matter like urine, vomit or feces that cause odor or stains. If your cat isn't neutered then sex hormones and the urge to mark territory may be causing or contributing to the house soiling problem. Spay/neuter surgeries are relatively low risk, routine procedures to sterilize pets and prevent unwanted behaviors like using urine or feces to mark their territory, fighting, or contributing to the serious pet overpopulation issue worldwide. Cats that have been sterilized also enjoy many health benefits including a reduced incidence of prostate cancer or tumors and infections of the mammary glands. Spay/neuter surgeries also prevent uterine, ovarian, and testicular cancers.

Some cats house soil in response to a change in their environment. Things like adding or subtracting a pet or person from the household, moving, a new baby, or even a change in work schedule can often prompt more sensitive cats to house soil. A dirty litter box or a situation that caused your cat to become fearful or anxious such as a run in with wildlife, being chased by a dog, or even a fight with another more dominant neighborhood cat could also be contributing factors to the house soiling issue. If you use scented kitty litter, air fresheners, highly scented products or other products that contain dyes or harsh chemicals your cat may be responding to chemicals in his environment that are making him uncomfortable. In addition to making some changes to the types of products used in your home you can also try using a synthetic pheromone product that plugs in or is available in a spray in the area that your cat house soils in. The pheromones won't be something that you can smell, however a cat's nose is many times more sensitive than the human nose. If you believe that anxiety/fear is to blame for the house soiling you can try a homeopathic remedy called Bach's Rescue Remedy which is a blend of flower essences that helps to calm and reassure. You can generally find this remedy in health food/natural health stores. I would recommend that you use a dose of about 8 drops per day in fresh water each morning. If your cat is fearful or anxious this may help to improve or eliminate the house soiling issue. You can place your cat's food and water dishes in the area that he urinates in after using an enzymatic cleaner to thoroughly clean the area and eliminate the odor. This works because cats are naturally fastidious and they don't normally use the toilet in the same place that they eat. Your vet can also offer medications that can sometimes be effective in changing house soiling behaviors. It's very important that you understand that these medications aren't without risk or side effects to your cat. These medicines are often small doses of powerful human anti-depressant/anti-anxiety medications so I only recommend their use as a last resort.