Kitten/Cat Advice: Inappropriate urination and defecating
Cats are very clean animals. Most cats will not eliminate outside of their litter tray so it’s up to us to understand why they may be doing so.
Cats tend to learn how to use a litter tray from their mother and follow their natural instincts to bury. So, when we provide them with an appropriate outlet like a litter tray they will instinctively use it.
Firstly, ensure a health check is performed by your veterinary surgeon to rule out any medical issues that could cause this unwanted behaviour.
Other Common reasons:
- Litter is dirty
- Not enough litter trays
- Litter not deep enough
- Inappropriate litter
- Litter tray in the wrong place or moved
- Smell of the litter
- Type of litter used
- Changes at home
- Old age
- Territory threatened
- New baby
- Moving home
Ways to treat at home:
- Ensure litter tray is clean
- Increase the number of litter trays
- Provide more litter depth
- Consider changing litter type
- Move litter tray to suitable area
- Use of pheromone diffusers
- Set up cat safe spaces within the home
