begins to use the litterbox regularly, the litterbox can then be gradually moved (1–2 inches per day) towards a slightly more appropriate location in the same vicinity 1 . If multiple areas are involved, owners should place the litterbox on Treatment of inappropriate toileting As with urine marking, the prognosis for treatment of inappropriate toileting will depend on the correct identification of the underlying cause, the duration of the problem, and the owner’s level of commitment to treatment. Managing inappropriate toileting involves a four-pronged approach. First, owners must thoroughly clean the soiled areas. Next, they should make the litterbox environment as appealing as possible; the cat’s optimal litterbox should be found and utilized. Third, owners should use environmental management to decrease conflict and anxiety. Finally, veterinarians and owners should consider drug therapy if the cat is demonstrating significant signs of anxiety. Clean soiled areas thoroughly As with cases of urine marking, the first step to manage inappropriate toileting is to thoroughly clean of all surfaces to remove odors. The smell of urine and feces remains present for extended periods of time, which will continue to attract elimination in these areas, if aggressive cleaning is not performed. Washable items, such as bedding and soiled laundry piles, should be washed using hot water and bleach 4 . Carpets should be cleaned with an enzymatic cleaner, and tile/wood surfaces should be cleaned aggressively. In homes with a more chronic issue, carpets, carpet padding, and tile may need to be removed and the subfloor should be sealed. Contaminated concrete flooring (such as on patios or in garages) should be sealed or painted over 1 . It is essential that owners understand the importance of this step. Additionally, owners should limit the cat’s access to previously sprayed areas. They can accomplish this through the use of physical barriers, such as closed doors, or through the use of more creative means such as bowls of potpourri placed at previously soiled areas 14 . Owners may also wish to change the function of the marking area through the use of food and water bowls, beds for sleeping, catnip, or a scratching post 8 . All of these measures are designed to break the habit of urine marking, when combined with the other methods discussed below. If none of these measures are effective, owners should use aluminum foil to cover previously soiled areas and prevent access. This aluminum foil should be secured with masking tape, and left in place until the elimination problem has been resolved 4 . Make the litterbox appealing Two key factors help to make the litterbox as appealing as possible. Owners should remember that these cats are not eliminating outside of the box for marking purposes, but because they have found a better toilet. Therefore, resolution of inappropriate toileting relies upon making the litterbox as appealing as possible so that it can be the cat’s preferred toilet. This means not only keeping the box impeccably clean, but also designing a litterbox that meets the cat’s preferences in other ways as well. Litterbox hygiene In order to encourage cats to use the litterbox, and thus make the litterbox more appealing, owners must keep the litterbox and litter very clean. Veterinarian professionals may ask clients – “Would you want to use a dirty restroom with a toilet that had not been flushed, or would you look for somewhere else to go to the bathroom?” Litter should be scooped at least once daily, ideally twice daily (or more frequently in a multi-cat home). Clay litters should
the most commonly used area and cover the other soiled areas either with food and water bowls or other non-mobile objects 1 .
be emptied fully every three to four days, while clumping litters can go as long as one week between full litter changes. When the litterbox is emptied, the box should be thoroughly disinfected, with care taken to ensure that no chemical scent remains on the litterbox 16 . Additionally, the level of litter in the box should always be kept at least 3–4 inches deep, to allow room for scratching and burial of waste 14 . In multi-cat homes, owners must provide at least one litterbox per cat, and these litterboxes should be distributed throughout the home, not all in one room 14 . Litterbox trial Owners should offer a variety of litter types, as cats vary in their preferred substrate. Many cats prefer litters that have activated carbon added as an odor preventive (Fresh Step™ Scoopable Litter), so this may be a good litter for clients to try as an option in their litterbox trial 24 . Overall, cats show no clear preference between scented and unscented litters, so clients should offer both options to see which type their individual cat prefers 16 . In cases where a cat has developed a clear substrate preference for cloth, carpeting, or some non- litter substrate, the owner can offer this material in a litterbox; cloth rags in a litterbox may be less convenient than cat litter, but more convenient than cleaning multiple areas of the home. Once the cat has demonstrated its preferred litter and litterbox, through consistently using that particular litter/litterbox combination, the owner should use this combination exclusively and follow all litter hygiene guidance as outlined above. This approach will ensure that the cat has a maximally appealing litterbox for elimination, thus increasing the likelihood that it will eliminate in the litterbox instead of using an alternative elimination site. Reduce stress and conflict through environmental management Although inappropriate toileting is managed largely through changes in the litterbox environment, it also correlates with anxiety and intercat aggression, and therefore, other environmental modifications related to feline urine marking may prove beneficial. In multi-cat homes, the owner should work to decrease intercat stress/conflict by creating an environment of plenty. Owners should increase the number of feeding stations, watering bowls, resting areas, and litterboxes 9 . Each cat should be provided with separate resting and eating areas. Quiet resting places should be on elevated perches, and in areas that are free from disruption by other cats, dogs, small children, or loud noises 17 . Feeding stations should be in quiet areas, away from other cats, allowing each cat to eat privately 18 . Owners should monitor cats for signs of intercat aggression and address it promptly, if noted 17 . Timid cats may benefit from staying in a small, quiet area where they can go in order to have a break from the other pets in the home. Giving the cat four to six hours per day in this quiet, isolated area (complete with food and water bowls, a litterbox, resting places, and one-on- one interaction with the owner) can alleviate anxiety in many timid or anxious cats9. Some cats may even respond well to a free-access crate, which they can retreat to for privacy 17 . Other pets can be kept out of these ‘safe havens’ using a variety of methods. For example, a baby gate can be used at the entrance to a room to keep dogs out while allowing cats to jump over the gate, or an electronic cat door can be used to limit access to one specific cat 18 .
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