If your cat begins to eliminate outside the litterbox, have your veterinarian check for a medical problem sucah as a urinary track infection. If the cat is heatlhy, you need to try to identify the cause of this behavior. For example:
- Did you change the location of the box or the type of litter? (Switch it back)
- Have you been lax in cleaning the box? (Clean it daily and wash the box more frequently. Use only warm water since cats do not like the smell of soap.)
- Did he see another cat throug the window? He may be spraying to mark his territory.
- Do you have at least one box for every cat and one box for every level of the house?
- If the mistakes happen just outside the box, is the box too small? (Try a bigger one with higher walls.)

Make the soilded area less appealing to your cat. Apply unpleasant odors, like room deodorizers to the area. Use cleaners containing active chemical enzymes or try cleaning with vinegar and water (50/50 mixture). Do not use ammonia based cleaning products because the smell will attract the cat. Place textures in the area that will irritate your cat such as sandpaper, aluminum foil or double sided sticky tape. Put his food dish where he soiled since cats do not like eating where they eliminate.

Make the litterbox more attractive to your cat. Evaluate the cat litter you use and try different kinds to fine one your cat likes (ie Cat Attract). Experiment with wood chips, sand, potting soil, or shredding newspaper. Consider the location of the litterbox. Busy areas are noisy and may make your cat fearful and unwilling to use the box. If you have more than one floor, consider placing a box on each level.

If behavior modification doesn't work, your veterinarian may be able to prescribe drug therapy to help anxiety related urinary problems. Ask your vet for more information. It is important to remember not to yell at your cat, hit him or rub his nose in the area. These actions will do nothing more than destroy your relationship with your cat. Success wil take time, patience, persistence, and lots of love and understanding.

Unknown Author