Medical conditions should be ruled out when problems of elimination are concerned. Some may include a urinary tract infection, urinary crystal or stone formation, and/or inflammation association with the bladder or the kidneys causing discomfort among other causes. Diseases causing constipation, inflammation of the colon or anal gland inflammation can trigger inappropriate elimination when feces is involved. Discomfort can also cause changes in elimination – if the cat is unable to jump into the box, posture to elimination or has to use the stairs to reach a litterbox on another level of the home.
If the problem is not medication in origin, a behavioral diagnosis is investigated. Litter box type, litter preference or aversion, litter box location, litter box hygiene and frustration/stress could lead to elimination outside of the box.
One litter box per cat PLUS another box is recommended at a minimum. This gives each cat access to this vital resource but also give them “their own space” to elimination if preferred. Litter boxes should be available on each level of the home in a quiet area (no one wants to go to the bathroom next to a loud appliance that could turn on at any moment). Clumping litter without a plastic liner is recommended for most cats. When they scratch/dig to bury their feces the liner can get caught on their claws.
Litter boxes should be cleaned at least one a day. Litter boxes should be fully emptied once a week. Cleaning of the entire box should be performed once a month. Cleaning should be performed with a mild dish soap or detergent to avoid residual odors that the cat may not appreciate. Litter boxes should be changed one a year to avoid residual odor.
Preference is very important when it comes to litter boxes. Whether that be covered or open, high sided or low sided, opening in the side or jumping into the box and even location can all be favors in a particular cat’s preference.
Stress or aggression between cats, owners moving or going on vacation, visitors at the home, cleaning or rearranging furniture can all be causes of anxiety that lead to inappropriate elimination. One cat may feel threatened by the other cat when trying to use the litter box and be more comfortable using another location.