Identification

• Mar Vista Animal Medical Center cites urination and soiling problems as the most common behavioral problem among cats. Urination problems in felines are simple to diagnose, although they are frustrating for owners. If your cat frequently eliminates outside its litter box or in other areas of the house, it could have a urination problem. Depending on the cause, this could be because of territory marking, an illness, or simply because the cat doesn't want to use its litter tray.
  
  

Significance

• If your cat is not using its litter tray correctly, it is trying to tell you something is wrong. Cats are usually clean animals and will confine their waste to the litter tray only. Therefore, if your cat is behaving otherwise, it is important to seek professional advice to establish the cause. Urinary tract infections, which require medical attention, can cause urination problems. You can solve other urination problems, such as territory marking, with training, but it is important to get a correct diagnosis first.
  
  

Causes

• Urination problems have three main causes. The cat may mark his territory by "spraying." Stress, the introduction of a new pet or some other household change can provoke this behavior. A cat's aversion to its litter tray can also cause urination problems. If the tray is too dirty, too small, or you are using a type of litter that the cat doesn't like, this could deter it from eliminating in its litter tray. Urinary tract infections can also cause this type of behavior. Mar Vista Animal Medical Center recommends seeking advice from a vet to rule out this treatable condition.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• If a medical issue is causing the behavior, your vet can prescribe medication to reduce swelling in your cat's bladder. Ensuring your cat's litter box is spacious and that it is in a private area of the house will encourage your pet to use it more often. You might need to change the position of the tray and clean it at least twice each day. Neutering or spaying your cat will reduce the likelihood of territorial spraying. Sometimes vets will also prescribe anti-anxiety medication.
  
  

Considerations

• If the cause of the cat's elimination problems is behavioral, time and patience should help you correct the problem. You may, however, also need to enlist the help of a behavioral specialist and combine the training with medication from your vet. Making small changes like the brand of litter you use, or the soap you use to disinfect the litter tray, can also affect your cat's behavior. Remember that a litter tray needs to be at least one and a half times as long as your cat so that it has enough room, says Mar Vista Animal Medical Center.