Besides inter-cat conflict cases, inappropriate elimination (aka litter box problems) cases are one of the most common feline behavior concerns that we are presented with. There are a variety of reasons that cats urinate and/or defecate outside of the litter box:
A medical cause. This is one of the biggest sources of litter box problems. From urinary tract infections (UTIs) to arthritis, there is much to rule out medically when a cat stops using the litter box.
Being declawed. Research has shown that declawed cats statistically have a higher likelihood of having problems using the litter box.
Litter box aversion. This means that there is a characteristic or characteristics of the litter box itself or the set up that is so deterring to the cat that they will not use the box.
Stress. This encompasses anything from conflict with other people or animals in the home to changes to their schedule/routine (people moving in/out, getting new furniture, remodeling, new job, etc).
Typically, most litter box problems aren't caused by just one thing. There are almost always multiple factors to address when helping a cat through their inappropriate urination/defecation. When Emily sees feline inappropriate elimination cases, she gathers a thorough history and asks to see a layout of the resources that the cat(s) have access to. Resources are considered food, water, litter boxes, opportunities to scratch, opportunities to access vertical space, and opportunities to access hiding places. All of these things play a role in a cat's overall stress level and give Emily a complete picture of the cat's living environment.
Once she has the history, Emily is able to put together an accurate plan to address the litter box issues. She has been working with litter box cases for around 15 years and has completed the Feline Inappropriate Elimination Master Course. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need help!
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