Urination Problems

*LEGACY COIT ANIMAL HOSPITAL Veterinary Medicine & Surgery 972-618-7499**
Why Isn't Kitty Using His Cat Box???!!! This is one of the questions we hear most often at Legacy Coit Animal Hospital. The first thing to try to determine is whether this is a medical problem or a behavioral problem.

More often than not, there is a very SIMPLE explanation. Did you change cat litters or cat boxes? Was the cat box moved? Change it back and see if this fixes the problem. If not, there may be an underlying medical problem - usually a urinary tract infection. These are easily detected and corrected, but can be VERY PAINFUL to Kitty. It is speculated that Kitty associates the act of urination that has all of a sudden become painful with the cat box, so he tries another spot to see if THAT location hurts. After ruling out a medical problem, we are left with behavioral situations. Check through the symptoms and solutions below, and please call us if you have any questions. Cats are very, very, very rarely spiteful, so he isn't doing it to get back at you! This is a "fixable" problem we can help with!
Sometimes we have to dig a little deeper......	SYMPTOM: small accidents in many locations and particularly near doors and windows Kitty may be marking his or her territory in response to outdoor cats coming by to say "Hello." This will be especially true in cats that have not been spayed or neutered. POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Spay or neuter Kitty; don't let Kitty go outside to discover that other cats have come by and left a calling card; keep the window blinds closed so Kitty can't see the other cats coming by. This may also be a problem if there is more than one cat in your household and not enough cat boxes to go around. POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Provide one cat box per cat, or try one of those self-cleaning boxes that clears the way as soon as a cat leaves the cat box.
SYMPTOM: Kitty doesn't cover up his "deposits", or stands on the side of the box, or shakes his paws afterwards POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Kitty doesn't like something about his box. It is too dirty, its lid/hood is too dirty, or the smell of the litter bothers him. Try changing cat litters; scoop daily; and wash weekly with soap and water. SYMPTOM: Large accidents in fewer locations SOLUTION: Something has changed about the placement of Kitty's box. Has he been punished or medicated in this location? Did something frightening happen (pianos falling out of the sky, etc.)? Is the food dish too close? Move the cat box to a quieter area. Don't punish Kitty near his cat box. Move the food dish and the cat box further apart.
We do not recommend punishing Kitty for having an accident, especially since most of us find out about these accidents hours after they happen. Kitty has forgotten about what he had for lunch, much less whatever it is he did that you are mad about now! Punishing him and showing him the cat box may cause Kitty to associate the cat box with your unpleasant mood, making it even less attractive to use on a regular basis. Instead, we suggest that clients use what is called the "Separation" technique by behavior experts. Kitty and the cat box are confined to the laundry room or a bath room for a few days, and separated from his favorite accident spots. Kitty relearns to use his cat box, and you have a chance to get those accident stains and smells out of your carpets.
Again, please let us emphasize that, more often than not, this is not a behavior problem, but a medical one that can be easily treated with antibiotics. Please call us with any questions at 972-618-7499.
Home Links Page Pet of the Month Products & Services
All information is © 2002 by Legacy Coit Animal Hospital.