Feline Elimination Issues Inappropriate elimination of urine or feces is the most common reason why feline companions are relinquished to the animal shelter each year (Bassert 161). Feline elimination issues, also known as house-soiling, are described as the inappropriate behavior or act of expelling urine or feces outside of the cat’s normal area which is primarily their litter box, in locations unacceptable to the owner (Carney, et al. 580). When a cat exhibits these behaviors the cause is often unknown to the owner and pinpointing the exact etiology of the elimination issue can be frustrating, time consuming and costly. It also should be noted that feline elimination issues can be caused by a multitude of different factors which can also …show more content…
For example, if the cat avoids using the litter box because it’s in an area where there is too much commotion then moving the box to a quieter or more secluded area might be beneficial. If the cat is avoiding the litter box because it is filthy, then cleaning it more regularly should stop the inappropriate behavior. Proper litter box etiquette is to scoop out the waste 1-2 times daily, and empty the entire contents of the box, and thoroughly clean it with mild soap and water once a week (Herron 199). Some cats eliminate in inappropriate areas because they do not like the texture of the litter or the box is too small or too difficult to use comfortably. In these situations the owner should try introducing several different types of litter, from finer to larger gravel type varieties and see which type the cat prefers (Herron 197). If it is a problem with the size or certain components of the litter box, like a lid, try introducing different styles, shapes and sizes to see which one is more inviting to the cat. Most people find it helpful, especially in multi-cat households to increase the number of litter boxes available for use. Dr. Megan Herron recommends having one litter box for each cat, plus an additional litter box (199). So, if there are three cats in the household there should be four litter boxes