| Probably the main problem that cat owners face is | | | | presence of other cats. It may be because some |
| soiling and cats spraying in various places, even if a | | | | neighbor cats are lurking around and your cat is |
| litter box is around. It is very difficult to maintain a | | | | threatened. There may also be conflicts between |
| clean house if you have more than two cats soiling | | | | your own pets and this could be causing one of them |
| the place. Floors, carpets, furniture, and even your | | | | to urine spray. There are ways to drastically reduce |
| shoes are fair game. This can be a behavioral problem | | | | spraying issues: |
| or an indication that the cat is sick and might need | | | | 1. Spay or neutering. When cats are neutered or |
| medical attention. But surely, there are solutions to | | | | altered, there is less production of hormones that |
| these problems. | | | | drive territorial behavior. As such, they are not likely |
| The first thing you need to do is to identify the | | | | to be territorial and this will help reduce spraying |
| myths and misconceptions surrounding soiling. It is not | | | | behavior. |
| true that cats do not use litter boxes because they | | | | 2. Presence of other cats. If you discourage the |
| are upset. Many people think that cats refusing to | | | | presence of other cats - especially neighbor cats - |
| use litter boxes is their way of getting back at their | | | | your pet will not feel threatened and will stop |
| owners, a form of revenge for something that their | | | | spraying because her territory is not being |
| owners did to offend them. Not true. Cats are not | | | | compromised. You can do this by closing windows |
| like humans, who act out just on spite. Cats do not | | | | where your pet can see other cats from the |
| have a moral sense of revenge. Rather, they do not | | | | neighborhood. |
| use litter boxes because they are stressed. | | | | 3. Relationship. If you have multiple cats, you need to |
| Remember, punishment is not a way to modify the | | | | ensure that they receive the same treatment and |
| behavior of your pet. Hurting it whenever it soils an | | | | that they get along well. If they are not fed well |
| area outside its litter box will not guarantee a change | | | | enough, they start fighting for interests such as food |
| of behavior. If litter box problems occur, check with | | | | and territory. You need to be able to provide |
| your cat's veterinarian. Your pet may be suffering | | | | adequate space for all your pets and there should |
| from stomach issues. A thorough physical exam will | | | | also be enough litter boxes to use. Ideally, the ratio |
| help you understand why this problem is occurring. | | | | should be two litter boxes for each cat. |
| The Spraying Issue | | | | Always remember that there are scientifically proven |
| If your cat is spraying, apart from the fact that it | | | | solutions to litter box problems. You should not base |
| does not use its litter box, this is an indication of a | | | | your solutions to myths and you should never hurt |
| behavior issue. Spraying is a behavior shown to mark | | | | your cats just because they upset you. Hurting your |
| territories. Marking is triggered because of the | | | | pets will only cause more problems in the future. |