KEEP THAT LITTER BOX CLEAN

Cats just will not use a dirty litter box. The problem: what is a clean to one cat may be filthy to another. Some helpful hints:

1. As general rule you should have one litter box per cat PLUS one. If you have three cats, then you need four litter boxes. 

2. Most cats prefer a finely granulated, non-scented litter such as most clumping litters. Baking soda fizzes when urinated on--some cats may not like the noise. A thin layer of baking soda on the bottom of box may give the same deodorizing effects without the fizzing. 

3. Scoop litter daily and change litter completely every seven days, preferably every three to five days.

4. Don’t stir litter after cleaning the box. Spreading urine and fecal smells around may make the cat perceive this as a dirty litter box.

5. Depth of litter:  NOT more than two to three inches. Many cats don’t like to “sink” in the box.

Start with just plain dish soap and water. Don’t use cleaning products containing ammonia—it smells like urine to a cat. Plain soda or seltzer water can be effective in neutralizing urine odor, but for really bad smelly jobs an enzyme-based product is best.  

IS IT TERRITORIAL MARKING?

How do cats mark territory?

• Scratching -sweat glands on bottom of paw pads (scratching also a normal form of marking, stretching, claw conditioning).

• Rubbing things -scent glands on cheek

• Urine spraying / stool marking

Why do cats mark territory?

·         Claiming of personal territory

• Anxiety from perceived competition or threat to territory, stress

• Prolonged absence of owner

• Presence of other cats

Who marks?

· The incidence of spraying increase from 25% in single-cat households to 100% when there are more than 10 cats.

FELIWAY: MAGIC POTION?

Feliway is a synthetic cheek gland pheromone. It is indicated in territorial marking not anxiety-induced marking. It may induce cheek gland marking in cats if placed on areas where cats spray, mark with stool or perhaps even scratch if scratching was used as a marking behavior induced by competition. If Feliway is sprayed on a marked area, the cat should begin to investigate and bunt/cheek mark if it is doing its job. The cat will not avoid the area.

• Confirm the problem is territorial competition-induced marking by vertical spraying.   (Note: urination and defecation on horizontal surfaces may be marking, but in most cases these are a litter box avoidance or surface preference issues and Feliway will not help).

• Use for at least 30 days.