Is your cat urinating outside of the litter box one too many times? Unfortunately, many cat owners are faced with this problem from time to time. Follow the steps below to help find the cause for these frustrating "accidents."

1. Have us check your cat immediately for a urinary tract infection. This may be a medical emergency, especially with male cats.
   
   
2. Consider spaying/neutering your cat if not done already. Ninety percent of males stop scent-marking after being neutered.
   
   
3. Neutralize any soiled areas immediately to prevent your cat from remarking them. North Woods Molecule 100â is available to purchase at the clinic.
   
   
4. Go through the list below to see if the litter box or its location is the problem.
   
   
5. Look for a pattern in the accidents. When and where does it occur? How often? Are there any changes in the house with people or animals? Could neighbor animals or strays outside be causing your indoor cat to be aggressive and mark its territory?
   
   
6. Call us to discuss various medical and behavioral treatment options.
   
   

More Litter Box Suggestions

• Location: Keep the cat's "bathroom area" separate from the "eating area." Also, keep the litter box(s) in a private area, away from noise. Make it easily accessible and with escape potential (i.e. avoid placing where the cat may feel trapped).
  
  
• Covered vs. Open boxes: Covered boxes not only trap in pungent odors, but may also be causing a trapped feeling for your cat.
  
  
• Cleanliness: Scoop out used litter daily (or more often) and replace entire litter before odors get bad. Keep in mind, a cat's sense of smell is much better than ours.
  
  
• Liners: Avoid liners, they tend to trap odors and make noise.
  
  
• Height of box sides: Cats prefer to see where and what they are jumping into. Higher sides might also be causing pain or discomfort for older cats. However, with some cats that like to urinate over the edge, high sides may be helpful.
  
  
• Number of boxes: Have at least one more box than you have cats. If you have a multi-level house, place them on each floor level and in different areas so that they are not next to each other.
  
  
• Size of box: Cats prefer larger boxes.
  
  
• Type of litter: Most cats prefer unscented litter that is 1 1/2 inches deep, with a sandy texture. Experiment to find out what your cat prefers, but don't keep switching brands. Make any new litter brand changes a slow transition, mixing in gradual portions.