Your cat is going to the bathroom next to the litter box…

Possible causes

• Urinary tract problems (infection, bladder stones, tumors) and gastrointestinal problems. In the vast majority of cases, there is a physical cause!
• Older cats sometimes find the walk to the litter box too long.
• Outdoor cats may become afraid to go outside, for example, if there’s a new neighbor’s cat, or after being hit by a car.
• Scented cat litter: Cats actually find it disgusting!
• The litter box is too dirty.
• Unpleasant experiences during visits to the kennel: for example, being given medication “because then he’ll at least sit still,” being teased by the dog, or sudden noise during the visit.
• New, attractive spots around the house, such as a new bath mat.
• Stress caused by a new cat, dog, or baby in the house. Even buying new furniture can cause so much stress that the pet will urinate indoors.

Treatment Options
First, try to identify the cause and address it. Also have the animal examined to rule out any physical causes. If the animal is healthy, the following options are available:

• Don't punish the cat if it isn't caught in the act!
• Do not clean the area while the cat is present. You can clean it with regular cleaning products (NEVER USE AMMONIA!), but be sure to wipe it down with alcohol afterward.
• Place things the cat likes in the soiled area, such as toys, food, treats, and a bed.
• Limit the amount of space used in the home and/or place multiple bins.
• If a cat always pees in the same spot, put the litter box THERE.
• If your cat likes to pee on the carpet, put a small piece of carpet in the litter box and gradually add more and more litter on top of it until the layer of litter is thick enough to cover the carpet completely.

Spraying is a behavior that, while annoying, is normal among virtually all felines, including our domestic cats. Spraying is done while the animal is standing, with a stream of urine directed backward against a vertical object. Spraying occurs much less frequently on horizontal surfaces.

Possible causes

• Hormonal influences. This is normal behavior for male cats.
• A new cat in the house or cats in the yard.
• A change in family circumstances, or a new item in the home.

Treatment Options

• Neutering male cats/spaying female cats.
• Punish (loud noise/clapping), only if the cat is caught.
• Clean the spray areas thoroughly.
• Place the cat's food bowl on or under the spraying spot(s) and leave it there day and night.
• Place a few upside-down mousetraps in the area where the cat sprays, so that they spring shut when the cat steps on them, thereby scaring the cat away.
• Change the surface area, for example, by placing a piece of plastic or aluminum foil over the spray area.
• Prevent the cat from seeing other cats in the yard, for example, by covering the bottom edge of the window with translucent, matte plastic sheeting.
• Treat the spot(s) where the animal has urinated with Feliway spray.
• If the cat is spraying in so many places that the measures listed above are not feasible, then the only option left is treatment with medication.