Cats urinating outside the litter box, also know as inappropriate urination, is a problem that many couples fight over. No one wants to give up a beloved kitty, and there is usually a way to resolve the problem. The first step is to have your cat evaluated by a veterinarian because the most common causes of urinating outside the box are medical problems. Examples include bladder stones or crystals in the urine which can be painful, kidney disease or diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) either of which can be associated with urinary tract infections or not being able to make it to the litter box in time to pass the large volumes of urine that they have.

If your cat has a clean bill of health based on examination, urinalysis, urine culture, and other diagnostic tests based on age and condition of your cat, the most important questions to ask are:

• Has a change in litter type or moving a litter box led to this problem?
• Am I cleaning the box daily?
• Has my schedule changed or are there changes in the family members at home?

If your answer is no to these questions, or if you still can’t fix the problem with changing back to the old litter, increased cleaning of the box, or moving the box back, please call for a behavior consultation with Dr. Rodan. The sooner a behavior problem is addressed, the quicker it can be resolved.

Other behavior concerns that can affect your relationship with your cat can also be worked on with Dr. Rodan’s support. They include cats not getting along, scratching on furniture, biting, or any other problems (see behavior consultations)

The good news is that most behavior problems can be resolved with help.