Few things unite cat owners like hatred for the never-ending chore of cleaning the litter box. However, some cats exhibit a similar disdain or anxiety for the litter box, which leads to inappropriate urination — a bad situation for everyone in the home. Understanding litter box behavior can help keep both cats and owners happy.

Preferences for box type and litter type will vary among cats, with some cats being less picky while others are very specific in their preferences. Most cats prefer large boxes that afford easy movement. While owners like to keep the boxes covered for aesthetic reasons, the typical cat prefers an uncovered box, and some cats will refuse to use a box with a cover.

Similarly, some owners prefer using litter box liners, although many cats do not like scratching into the plastic. Clumping litter is widely accepted by cats, although many different types of litter are available and different types may be preferred by individual cats. As a general rule, cats prefer unscented over scented litters.

The guideline for number of litter boxes in a house is equal to the number of cats plus one. For example, it is recommended that a house with three cats provide four boxes to help promote appropriate urination (and defecation). These boxes should be spread throughout the house—two boxes located adjacent to each other really only count as one box from the cats’ perspective. This variety allows for sufficient options in case territorial disputes arise among the cats in the house.

The location of the litter boxes can also impact a cat’s comfort level for use. Cats, like humans, prefer quiet and private places for urination and defecation. Because of this, a litter box placed in a high traffic area or a high noise area (such as next to the washer and dryer) may not be preferred. Cats typically prefer not to have their litter boxes adjacent to their food and water bowls.

The litter box (or boxes) should be scooped daily and fully emptied and cleaned weekly. A mild unscented soapy detergent is optimal for cleaning the box.

Following these recommendations will help promote appropriate litter box habits and urination. Yet despite these measures, some cats will still urinate outside of the litter box, which is one of the most frustrating problems that a cat owner can face. In fact, urinating outside of the litter box is one of the most common causes of a cat being relinquished to an animal shelter.

The term “inappropriate urination” refers to normal urination habits that occur outside of the box. This means that the cat will squat to urinate, still seek out quiet and private areas, and may try to “cover up” the urine by scratching at adjacent objects or flooring. Inappropriate urination may be caused by medical problems (such as a urinary tract infection or bladder stones) or behavioral/environmental issues (such as avoiding a scented litter box or due to stress in the household). Any number of stresses can actually cause inflammation in the bladder that further compounds the problem.

An important distinction must be made between inappropriate urination and urine marking. Cats that use their urine to mark their territory will often spray outward rather than squat and urinate onto the floor. In addition, spray marking usually occurs in public areas, whereas inappropriate urination is often in secluded areas. Urine marking is typically not due to a medical abnormality.

Whether a cat is has inappropriate urination or urine marking, there are measures that can be taken to help treat the problem. The first step is a thorough physical exam with a veterinarian, who can then analyze blood and urine samples to evaluate for internal disease. If the symptoms persist once underlying diseases are addressed, a combination of environmental changes, dietary changes, medication, and/or supplements may help promote appropriate urination.

While it is frustrating to deal with inappropriate urination and urine marking in cats, owners that have the patience and diligence to work with a veterinarian to solve the problem may very well be rewarded with a renewed and loving cat-owner bond.

— Keith Rode is a veterinarian at Woodland Veterinary Hospital and a graduate of UC Davis. For more information, call (530) 666-2461.

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