Preventing and Managing Feline House-Soiling

 THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Feline house-soiling is one of the most common reasons that cats are abandoned.  However, this problem is often due to a specific physical, social, or medical issue that needs to be addressed.  The American Association of Feline Practitioners provides pet owners with information on how they can prevent, manage, and resolve feline house-soiling.

Causes of House-Soiling

• Environmental and Social Factors – Some cats may avoid using a litter box that is placed in a high traffic area.  They might feel intimidated by a more dominant cat or they may have had a negative experience when they were near the litter box.
• Marking Behavior – It is normal for cats to mark their scent.  Unneutered male cats and most unsprayed females will also use urine spraying as part of their sexual behavior.
• Medical Causes and Problems – If your pet experiences this behavior change, you should bring them to our practice for a physical examination and urinalysis to check for infections, cystitis, arthritis, kidney problems, diabetes, and other medical issues.
• Feline Idiopathic Cystitis – This medical condition increases the frequency of urination.  It can also cause difficulty and pain when urinating and your pet may have blood in their urine.

Many cats that are abandoned by pet owners due to house-soiling end up in shelters where they are often euthanized.  Although it can be a complicated problem, there are ways to prevent house-soiling. After you determine the cause behind your cat’s behavior problem, you can make the necessary changes to prevent house-soiling in the future.

For more tips on how to prevent, manage, and resolve feline house-soiling, read this brochure produced by the American Association of Feline Practitioners.  You can also contact Bregman Vet Group with any questions you have regarding your pet’s health.

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