The most common reason a cat stops using its litter box is because the litter box is dirty - from the cat’s viewpoint, not yours. Cats often react to any type of stress by suddenly urinating or defecating outside the litter box. The stress may be caused by a new cat in the neighborhood; children home on vacation; too many cats in the house; your going away on vacation or a new piece of furniture. Urinary tract problems also cause cats to urinate in places other than the litter box. Any sudden change in elimination habits should be discussed with your veterinarian. Another reason might be that your un-neutered male is near a female “in heat”.

Urin stains from floors and carpets need to be completly eliminated so your cat can’t smell it anymore. Even if the area smells o.k. to you after cleaning, for kitty it will still smell attractive enough to use it as toilet again. The only cleaners that get rid of everything are cleaners that break down the enzymes, also called “Enzumatic Cleaners”. Some good and effective ones are Just for Cats by Nature’s Miracle, has a fresh, citrus smell, or PetZyme Stain & Odor Remover. These products are safe for pets.

Our product reviews at >> our sistersite PetStuffRevies will tell you how to locate hidden/hard to find pet stains.

If you want you cat to stop scratching your funiture for example, cover the edges with either aluminum foil (temporarily), double sided sticky tape, or some netting or tulle. Cats just hate their claws to be caught in these things and will avoid these objects. You can also use some menthol or citrus scent on these furniture pieces, or buy a spray in the petshop. These sprays are scented in a way that cat really dislike the smell. With little patience and the appropriate measurements your cat will not scratch your valuable upholstery anymore.

Cats do need to scratch to remove the skin layer on their claws. Provide them with a scratch tree, board, etc. If your cat is not interested in using it at the beginning, hang some funny toys on them, and rub a little of catnip at the base. Soon you will see that your cat enjoys to give these trees a good scratch.

Always remember - you don’t want a cat to do something, make it a negative experience for your animal. You want you cat to perform some tasks - make it a rewarding, positive experience! It works, guaranteed, and your life together will be so much more pleasant and enjoyable!

If you have extreme problems, for example you adopted a cat that was ALLOWED to scratch on furniture, and all your efforts won’t make kitty oblige, you might want to consider buying a Scat Mats for Dogs or Cats. These mats can be placed at your liking, and the battery sends small pulses to the mat for three seconds when it’s
touched. These surprising little “zaps” quickly repel most pets who will avoid these places just after one or two exposures. Even when the mat is removed later or used at a different area, your animal will remember and stay away from these places.

See our article on this item under >>”Training Aids”.

>> Recommended books for Cat Lovers and Kids