Why is my cat soiling in the house

Cats may not like to use a tray if it is next to a noisy washing machine or tumble dryer. Place the tray in a quiet corner where the cat only has to watch in one or two directions at once rather than in the open or in a thoroughfare.

Placing food near the tray will put the cat off using it, so place feeding bowls elsewhere. Some cats prefer the security of a covered tray while others prefer an open tray as it offers more options for escape.

If you normally use an open tray it may be worth purchasing one with a lid or vice versa. An inverted box with one side cut out or careful positioning of house plants may provide the necessary privacy.

Some covered trays have flaps over the entrance and these can be one obstacle too many for the more insecure cat. Occasionally a cat decides not to use a tray because it has had a bad experience there. Giving medication or touching a cat while it is using the tray may be sufficient to create a bad association. Repositioning the tray to a quiet spot may help.

Kittens will often soil in the house when they are young if they are given immediate access to large areas. When kittens first arrive in their new home they are only weeks away from their original litter training by their mother.

It is advisable to confine the kitten to one room initially, with increasing periods of time to explore other areas after a few weeks. Every time the kitten uses the tray it is establishing an entrenched behaviour that will be maintained throughout its life. A form of urinary tract disease that is stress-related often referred to as Feline Idiopathic Cystitis is less obvious in its presentation but one common symptom is urinating outside the litter tray.

Any urinary tract discomfort can make the cat urinate when standing rather than attempting to go outside or to the litter tray. Urination in this way can sometimes be confused with spraying. Cats often benefit from increased fluid intake if they suffer from recurrent cystitis. This may require your cat to change from a dry diet to a wet one but your veterinarian should be consulted regarding any dietary management. Any illness or pain can be associated with soiling so an early examination by your veterinarian will be necessary.

If successfully treated your cat will return to its normal acceptable pattern of toileting. Occasionally cats will continue to soil if they have experienced discomfort on the original tray so it may be necessary to provide an additional tray elsewhere to encourage use. An older cat may not want to venture out in bad weather or it may be having problems using the cat flap because of stiff joints.

As a cat gets older it becomes more insecure and it may feel threatened by the presence of other cats in the territory. It is almost inevitable that, at some stage, elderly cats will require safe and accessible toilet facilities indoors. The provision of an indoor litter tray often resolves this problem.

It is always important to rule out medical causes for soiling in the elderly cat so a trip to your veterinarian may be necessary. Cats are at their most vulnerable to attack when they are urinating or defecating outside and, if they feel threatened, it may deter them from doing so.

The provision of a discreet litter tray indoors will take away the feelings of anxiety and the need for the cat to make a conscious decision to find a suitable toilet site. Accompanying the cat on visits to the garden may encourage it to eliminate outside again.

Your cat may normally have chosen to toilet well away from its home so it may be beneficial to make its own garden more appealing. Create an area in a quiet corner relatively close to the house for ease of escape back indoors and mix in with the earth a high proportion of peat-free soil or sand. Some cats are creatures of habit in their choice of elimination sites and redesigning a garden can have a serious impact on their behaviour. Always ensure that changes to the garden incorporate an area that can be comfortably used by your cat as a latrine well dug over earth.

Occasionally a cat will urinate or defecate indoors if strangers are in the home and access to the litter tray or outdoors would require the cat to pass through the same room as the visitor. Some cats are particularly prone to the stress of being left behind and they actually benefit from a visit to a reputable and caring boarding cattery. How to care for your pets if you're ill or have to self-isolate due to coronavirus Lost and found dog advice Lost and found cat advice Dog advice Cat advice Puppy Advice.

Why is my cat going to the toilet around the house? What can I do to stop my cat going to the toilet around the house? Take a look at our advice on litter trays for more information. Providing them with an indoor litter tray option could help solve the issue. Keep a diary — make a note of what, where and when! This information will help your vet, or a behaviourist if needed, and can help you monitor progress of any steps you are taking to resolve the problem.

Clean the area thoroughly — see our guidance on cleaning cat urine below. How can I clean up cat urine? Rinse with a small amount of clean water and pat dry with paper towel.

Your cat's perfect loo. Don't punish your cat for inappropriate toileting While it is often frustrating for your cat to be soiling your house and furniture, it is important to remember that you should never punish your cat. Download: Managing your cat's behaviour guide.

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