Cat Toilet Habits

Territories

• Hunters by nature, cats are very territorial; they'll often use urine or scents produced through their anal glands to communicate not only the size and boundaries of the territory but how long ago they passed through it. These instincts can become more pronounced when there's more than one cat in your house.

The Alpha Cat

• Cats that live together have a social hierarchy that cannot be ignored; urine and solid waste are primary indicators of rank. Dominant cats are more likely to display their waste uncovered in litter boxes or even outside it, while submissive cats will tend to hide theirs by burying it. A lower ranked cat, especially a female, could fail to use a box if others have been there before her.

Reasons for Ignoring the Box

• Boxes that smell of ammonia (especially that of other cats) may cause a well-trained cat to turn away. Others will reject a box if a different brand of litter is used, such as scented instead of unscented, and choose to soil the carpet, chair or even your bed instead.

  Cat urine contains crystals that are not always eliminated with regular household odor removers, so even if your nose can't detect any odor, your cat might urinate in a previously soiled place due to a lingering smell in the carpet or floor.

  Some cats are shy and won't use a box if it's located in a high traffic area of the house or if it's placed near a noisy appliance.

Medical Problems

• Medical problems, such as urinary tract infections or plugged scent glands, can also cause a cat to urinate in inappropriate places or to refuse to use the box if they come to associate the pain that comes with infection with the box itself. If the problem persists, you notice blood or discoloration or the cat has difficulty urinating or exhibits a lack of control, veterinary assistance may be necessary.

Spraying

• In the wild, a male cat will spray to attract a female and to establish his territory. Indoors, a dominant male may spray urine on vertical surfaces, such as walls or furniture, for basically the same reasons. Cats that are not neutered before they achieve sexual maturity (usually before the age of six months) are even more apt to spray.

  He might also spray if a new cat is introduced into the household or if he sees a strange cat through the window. If you move to a new house, he might spray to announce his presence, especially if there was a cat there before he arrived.