Cats Peeing Or Pooping Outside The Litter Box - 4 Steps To Stopping The Behavior
2) The next thing I would do, especially if your pet is peeing/pooping on a bed or other furniture, is go out and get something to cover and protect that furniture, that will also discourage the cat from wanting to spend time on it.
Either:
A large plastic drop cloth (very inexpensive - can be found at the hardware store or any other store that sells paint supplies.)A fitted mattress cover, if it is a bed your cat is peeing/pooping on. (More expensive but a little better looking, less conspicuous.)A sheet of heavy vinyl (can be purchased from the fabric department at Wal-Mart)Or something similar. You can get creative with this. I think one person mentioned they had used a tablecloth!The point is to protect the furniture during training, while also discouraging the cat from wanting to spend time there. (You can also use these suggestions to cover up a specific spot on the floor or rug if that is where your cat is eliminating.)
Even if it doesn't discourage the kitty from attempting to potty on it - believe me, after one time of peeing on it and ending up standing in a puddle of their own urine, your cat isn't going to do that again!
3) Keep the area covered whenever you aren't using it, and anytime the cat has unsupervised access to it. That means when you leave the house, either keep the doors shut or cover the furniture/rug/bed/etc.
It would be wise to take one extra step and cover other furniture as well, even furniture that the cat hasn't been using as a potty - just to be safe. Sometimes, simply doing this will solve the problem on it's own because the cat will have no other suitable potty option other than the litter box.
Think about it. If there are no soft beds or couches to pee on, and the only other option is the kitchen floor or something like that, it's almost certain they'll opt for the litter box.
No matter what other method you're using to retrain the cat, I would recommend doing this step because it will save your belongings and usually speed up the process at the same time.
4) Consider looking for a more absorbent litter. If you think about it, one of the reasons a cat would like peeing on a bed is because of how quickly the urine is absorbed. Perhaps your cat is upset at how slowly the litter she/he has is absorbing urine.
If your cat's paws are getting wet while urinating in the box, or their urine is splashing back on them, that obviously isn't a very pleasant situation. So they're bound to look for an alternative that's a little more neat and clean. (for them at least!) It may be a good idea to shop around for a litter that absorbs more quickly.
If you have a kitten, make sure the problem isn't just the fact that the kitten can't get off the bed. Sometimes people will be playing with the kitten on the bed, and being so high off the ground the kitten won't want to jump down to go to their litter box. So naturally they just eliminate right there. That's something to keep in mind if it is a small kitten (or older cat with joint problems).
As far as cleaning the blankets or other machine machine washable material - actually, any material that can be washed at all, you need to clean it very thoroughly with some type of enzyme cleaner. It's very important to get the urine scent out completely.
In some cases, the situation that caused the litter box problem will be resolved - yet the cat will continue the behavior either out of habit, or because their scent is still there. So it is crucial that all "evidence" of the accident be removed.
Related Tags: cat training, cat behavior, cat behavior problems, cat peeing, cat litter box problems, cat pooping
Liz is an expert on cat behavior, and can show you how to train your cat and stop cat problems starting today. You'll get more information at her site http://www.secretsofcats.com
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Cat Waking You Up in the Morning?
Does your cat wake you up too early in the morning? Do you just for once want to sleep in on the we - Cat Urine Issues
Cat urine issues are aggravating to many cat owners. Often times a cat will have been using the lit - Useful Advice for Cats: How to Care for your Human
For us cats there are several sweet advantages in having a human as a pet. However, remember you are - House Cat Training: Deal With Furniture Scratching
Does your cat scratches your favorite beautiful furniture? Well, scratch is part of your cats life. - Cats, Their Names, Health & More
A cat can touch your heart like no other animal. Unlike dogs, cats tend to be choosy. They love very - Cats Don't Drool?
Earlier today as I was Googling something, I came across a book entitled, Waiting For Your Cat to Ba - Cat Litter Boxes
As the market for pets is expanding, there are more and more choices available for pet owners now, a - You'd Like a Pet but Aren't Sure if You Have Enough Time? Adopt an Adult Cat They're Self-Cleaning
Shelters today are loaded with unwanted pets, waiting for someone to come and adopt them. This is a - Cat House Training Tricks
A kitten can be a wonderful addition to the right household, bringing with him an exuberant playfuln - The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
The diseases suffered by humans and cats are very similar. Take for instance the feline immunodefici
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Understanding the Dangers of Intestinal Parasites in Cats and Kittens
Okay, so here is one of the topics of cat care that no one likes to talk about, but still needs to b - Hypoallergenic Cats?
Lots of people around the world would love to have a cat or two as pets but can't because they are a - Why Does My Cat Bite My Hand When I Stroke Her?
You have settled into your favorite armchair, perhaps reading the final chapters of a gripping novel - What Everyone Should Know About Feline Chronic Renal Failure
Chronic Renal Failure or CRF is one of the most common age related illnesses in cats today. Chroni - How to Take Proper Care of Cats and Kittens
Owning a new kitten is just about the most exciting time of your family life. Those first few weeks - Cat Care Tips - Cats Are Perfect Companions
We have all seen cats sleeping in windows and cuddling up with their owners. The fact is that cats - A Low Sodium Cat Food Diet Can Extend Nine Lives
If you are a pet owner you understand the importance of maintaining your cat's overall health. This - My Cat Won't Eat! - What is Wrong?
Occasionally you may find that your cat seems fussier about its food, only choosing to sample its fo - Choosing the Perfect Cat Urn - Remembering Your Feline Friend
Unfortunately your cat has passed and you are now looking for a cat urn into which you can place the - Feline Flea Control Tips and Tricks That Every Cat Owner Should Know
No matter how meticulously clean you keep your cat, or how hard you work to prevent them, fleas are