Does Your Cat Pee Outside of the Litter Box?

If your cat is ditching the litter box and peeing just about everywhere else in the house, it can easily become a problem for pet parents. Between the constant cleaning and the strong smell, a cat that is not using the litter box properly can be a source of frustration. But why do cats pee outside of the box and what can you do about it? Here are some common causes of litter box problems.

Addressing Inappropriate Urination
While it’s understandably upsetting to find cat pee around the house, owners need to recognize that cats aren’t being bad when they “go” outside the box. They are simply behaving in a way that addresses their needs at the time. There are numerous reasons why a cat might pee outside the box, but with a little investigation (and possibly a trip to the vet’s office), you should be able to determine what needs to be done to stop your cat’s inappropriate urination. Here are the top 10 ways to stop your cat from peeing outside the litter box.

Thoroughly Clean Up the Mess
Be sure to thoroughly clean all areas where your cat has peed outside the box. You want to be sure you’ve eliminated the odor, not just for your own sake, but also so the smell doesn’t draw your cat back to that same spot. Use a black light and your nose to identify all the problem areas. If you are dealing with fresh urine, first blot up as much as possible with paper or cloth towels. Next (and for older spots), pick the best cleaning method based on what has been soiled. Hard surfaces can be thoroughly cleaned with your favorite household cleaning solution. Use your washing machine for bedding, towels, etc. Rugs and upholstery are best cleaned with an enzymatic or bacterial cleaner, but make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to maximize their effectiveness.

Define the Problem
When you discover pee where it doesn’t belong, you need to determine whether it is the result of spraying or urination. Cats urinate outside the litter box and spray for different reasons, and they require different types of treatment. When cats spray, they usually stand in front of a vertical surface and squirt a relatively small amount of urine on it. If you are finding a splatter of urine on the wall, your cat is probably spraying. When cats urinate, they usually squat and leave behind a larger amount of urine on a horizontal surface.

Tackle the Problem Quickly
You want to address spraying or urination outside of the litter box quickly, before it becomes normal behavior for your cat. When it comes to spraying, intact male cats are the most notorious offenders. All cats who are not going to be part of a breeding program should be neutered, ideally before puberty. If your neutered cat is spraying, try making him feel more secure in his territory. In a multi-cat household, it may help to provide separate living areas for each cat. If this is not feasible, provide elevated perches, hiding places, and covered escape routes so cats can easily avoid each other. Over-the counter anxiety-relieving products may also help cats who are spraying. If all else fails, your veterinarian can prescribe an anti-anxiety medication like fluoxetine.

Add Additional Litter Boxes
If you’ve determined that your cat is urinating inappropriately rather than spraying, it’s time to take a close look at your litter box. First, how many do you have? One litter box is often just not enough. The general rule of thumb is one box per cat, plus an extra one. Cats can be very picky about using a box that already contains urine or feces, particularly if that urine or feces is not their own. The more litter boxes you have, the more likely your cat is to find one that suits his fancy.

Address Litter Box Location
Think about where you have the litter boxes located. If you have multiple stories in your home, you'll want at least one on each floor. Think about it: if you were on the second floor of your house, would you want to run all the way downstairs to use the bathroom? Neither does your cat. And when litter boxes are too tucked away, say inside cabinets or in the corner of a basement laundry room, cats may not bother to go find them. Making it convenient for your cat to use the litter box will often alleviate problems. Finally, if your cat keeps peeing in the same spot, try placing a litter box over that area, and then slowly moving it to a more appropriate location.

Try a Different Box
An enclosed litter box may fit nicely within your decorating standards and help contain the mess and odor, but your cat may not agree. Enclosed boxes can be small, dark, smelly and difficult to turn around in—not conducive to cats doing their business. You also want to make sure the sides of your litter box are low enough for your cat to easily step over—especially as he reaches old age.

The ideal litter box is large, open, and has low sides or at least one low spot to ease access. It can be difficult to find litter boxes that have these characteristics in pet supply stores, but they are easy to make using plastic under-bed storage boxes.

Clean Your Litter Box Regularly
A filthy litter box is almost guaranteed to send a cat elsewhere to pee. Cats are very clean creatures by nature. Would you want to go walking barefoot through your cat's litter box? Well, if it’s dirty, neither does he. At a minimum, litter boxes should be scooped out once a day and dumped, washed, and refilled every month.

Check the Type of Litter
Heavily perfumed litter may seem the better choice (who wouldn’t want to smell perfume rather than a dirty litter box?), but cats tend to disagree. Their noses are more sensitive than ours, so what seems pleasant to us can be overpowering to them. They also like to stick with the familiar, so a cat may urinate outside the litter box if you suddenly switch to a new type of litter. Studies have shown that among cats, the all-around favorite litter type is an unscented, clumping clay litter containing activated charcoal. If you want to try this (or any) type of litter for the first time, make sure you have at least one box in the house that contains the old type of litter…just in case.

Observe Social Dynamics
Conflicts between multiple cats, or the introduction of a new cat, may cause inappropriate urination. If your cats got into an altercation in or near the litter box, he may choose to avoid the box rather than suffer through a repeat occurrence. Separate the cats for a while to let the tensions fade, and then try gradually reintroducing them. Make sure you have several litter boxes spaced out throughout the house so one cat can’t prevent access to all the boxes at the same time.

Consult Your Veterinarian
If inappropriate urination has become an issue with your cat, the most important thing you can do is make an appointment with your veterinarian. Your cat's doctor will take a complete history and perform a physical exam, urinalysis, and perhaps some other diagnostic tests to determine if the problem is medical rather than behavioral in origin. Urinary tract inflammation, diabetes, and kidney disease are just three of the common health issues that can make cats urinate outside of the litter box. If your cat is given a clean bill of health, your veterinarian can then help you move on to addressing environmental or behavioral issues that may be playing a role.



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Important Rabbit Facts That All Owners and Potential Owners of Pet Rabbits Should Be Aware of

If you are considering buying your first pet rabbit, or even if you have owned one before and are thinking of getting another, it is important to do plenty of research, both into rabbits as a species, and the particular needs and concerns attached to each different rabbit breed.

While rabbits have been a popular and very commonly owned pet for centuries, our knowledge of rabbits and what they really need to be happy and healthy is information that has come on in great leaps in recent years, and what used to be viewed as a fairly simple, low maintenance pet is now understood and respected as a much more delicate and complex creature than they were historically.

Rabbits are social animals that should not be kept on their own without a companion, or they will be lonely and unhappy and not thrive. This means that spaying and neutering of rabbits is important, particularly if you keep males and females together, for obvious reasons!  A female rabbit can produce a new litter every thirty days, and you will soon find yourself with more baby bunnies than you can handle! Even if you keep your rabbits in same-sex groups, spaying can help to protect female rabbits from cancer of the uterus, which is a common cancer of mature female rabbits.

You should choose the material that you use for your rabbit’s bedding carefully, as not all products are suitable for use with them. Scented products that have artificial or natural aromas are a bad idea for rabbits in particular.  Aromatic cedar or pine wood shavings are particularly to be avoided, as both of these fragrant woods release oils that can be harmful to your pet, and even cause long term liver damage.

Rabbits can be taught to use a litter tray, just like cats can, and this is an essential factor of life with a house rabbit! However, again, you should choose the litter that you use carefully to avoid causing health problems. Clay cat litter or other products that form clumps can be ingested and block up your rabbit’s digestive system, and any litter that is dusty may affect your rabbit’s respiratory system.

It is important that you rabbit-proof your home and garden, and any areas that your rabbit will have access to. Rabbits need to chew on things in order to keep their teeth at a comfortable length, and for some reason, articles such as electrical wires and loose carpet are particularly appealing to them! View your home and garden from your rabbit’s viewpoint, and ensure that everything that they may be able to reach is safe for them.

When people think about buying rabbit food, they usually imagine ready mixed, rabbit-suitable pellet food, and perhaps the occasional piece of fruit or veg. However, the bulk of the rabbit’s diet should be grass or hay, and your rabbit should have free access to one or both of these things at all times. In order to stay healthy, the digestive system of the rabbit should be constantly moving, and if it stops due to having no more food to eat, getting it restarted again is difficult, and may need veterinary help.  Suitable hay for rabbits include timothy hay, orchard grass and various others, and you should feed lots of it when your rabbit does not have access to grass.
If your rabbit isn’t very tame or even becomes aggressive, never punish them by smacking them or speaking harshly to them. Rabbits are sensitive animals that do not understand cause and effect in the same way that we do, and responding angrily will not help.

Rabbits are viewed as exotic pets within veterinary surgeries, and while most clinics will see a reasonable amount of rabbits and be able to diagnose and treat minor health issues, and perform standard procedures such as spay and neuter, for more complex problems, your rabbit might need to see a specialist vet. Find out about the provision for veterinary care for rabbits at your local clinic, and work out where you would need to go if they were unable to treat your pet.

A loss of appetite or watery stools are conditions that in most pets (and people) tend to be minor issues that will resolve themselves within a day or so. However, both problems can be a veterinary emergency for rabbits, and so if your rabbit is off color with either of these symptoms, contact your vet right away.

It is a good idea to gain a basic understanding of rabbit health, and learn how to recognize some of the most common problems that can potentially afflict rabbits. These include problems with the teeth, which may require attention from your vet, and a range of other issues including ear mites, digestive issues, and flystrike. Some serious problems can be prevented with vaccination, such as myxomatosis, and so your rabbit should be vaccinated as soon as they are old enough.

Children should not be permitted to handle rabbits unsupervised, and rabbits do not make a good pet for young children. Rabbits are very delicate and fragile animals that can easily be harmed or frightened, and so only older children who are experienced with rabbits should be in charge of their full time care.

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September is Happy Cat Month: Tips on Keeping Your Cat Happy

The month of September has been designated as Happy Cat Month. That’s right, a whole month dedicated to keeping your cat happy and, of course, healthy.

Here are few tips for keeping your cat happy throughout the year:

• Provide entertainment for your cat. Make sure your cat has lots of toys to play with and also make sure you set aside some personal time for interacting and playing with your cat. It will help you bond with your cat and also promote exercise, an important part of your cat’s routine to prevent weight gain and to keep your cat’s mind stimulated.

•  Make sure all your cat’s needs are met by providing a clean litter box, perches, hiding places, and scratching surfaces. A clean food and water dish is essential as well. In multiple cat households, you’ll need additional sets of resources. Without these things, your cat is likely to become stressed and may start exhibiting unwanted behaviors. Stress can also be a contributing factor in illnesses for your cat. 

• Keep your cat lean and fit. An overweight cat is more susceptible to a variety of diseases, including diabetes. Lots of toys and interactive play will be a big factor in increasing exercise for your cat, helping to burn calories and keep your cat at a proper weight. Diet, of course, plays a role as well. 

• Feed your cat a high quality diet appropriate to your cat’s lifestage. Make sure the diet is complete and balanced. Feed in a proportion that keeps your cat from gaining excess weight. 

• This next tip may not make your cat particularly happy but regular veterinary visits are essential for maintaining your cat’s health. Of course, a healthy cat is a happy one. 

• Don’t forget about your cat’s teeth. Regular oral care will help keep your cat’s mouth healthy and help prevent dental disease, a common malady in cats. 

• If your cat enjoys spending time outdoors, consider providing a catio. A catio is an outdoor enclosure that will confine your cat to a given space and provide protection from the threats faced by cats that spend time outdoors unsupervised. A catio can provide hours of entertainment for your cat. Another option is taking your cat outdoors on a collar or harness and leash. Your cat will enjoy investigating the outdoor environment and you will be there to keep him safe and secure.

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Quick Tips for Training Your Feline, from Kitten to Mature Adult, to Eliminate in the Litterbox

The need to train a cat to eliminate in the right area arises in many situations, including when adopting a new cat, bringing an outdoor cat inside and getting a new kitten. Training a cat to eliminate in a litterbox sounds easy, and for many cat owners litterbox training is hassle free. But for those who face the challenge of their cats going in places such as carpeting and bedding, teaching them to use the proper area can seem like a monumental feat. Here are some quick tips for training your feline, from kitten to mature adult, to eliminate in the litterbox.

1. The first thing to do if you cat isn't using the litterbox is visit your veterinarian. There are numerous reasons cats may resist going to the litterbox, which are medically related. Your veterinarian can be a valuable resource in helping ensure that your cat eliminates in the right areas.


2. Keep the litterbox in an area separate from your cat's food and water, since cat's are naturally clean and unlikely to use the bathroom where they eat and drink. Ensure litterboxes are in  easily accessible locations, such as rooms the cat freguents. The more out of the way litterboxes are such as in the basement, laundry room or garage, the less likely they will be used. Keep boxes on the ground for easy access, rather than high up and hidden.


3. Try different litterboxes. In general, most cats prefer uncovered boxes. The optimal size for a litterbox is at least as long as the cat from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail. Most cats prefer unscented, clumping litter as opposed to highly scented versions.


4.  If your cat has an accident, use a pet-safe cleaner with enzyme-eating properties on the area to destroy the scent, which can prompt your cat to eliminate in the same place in the future. If your feline leaves only small amounts of urine, lower in volume than his normal elimination, or if he marks on vertical surfaces, the behavior may be linked to spraying. Spraying is different from inappropriate elimination outside the litterbox, and specific techniques, including reducing stress for the feline, need to be used to end the behavior.


5. Feline pheromones spritzed around your cat's living area can help calm your cat when you are adopting a new cat or during the transition from outdoors to indoors, further e encouraging  proper litterbox use. Feliway is a synthetic pheromones that simulates  the cheek pheromones in a cat that provide the feline with a sense of well-being and safety. The less stress a cat feels, the less likely he is to express stress through inappropriate elimination.

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So You've Got Your New Kitten Home…Now What? Tips on Caring for Your New Kitten

Bringing a cuddly, appealing bundle of purr home is exciting, whether the kitten is your first or an addition to your current pet family. Your kitten will be entirely reliant on you to ease his transition from mom cat's side or animal shelter to this strange new place. Keeping him safe and happy takes planning and patience for everyone in the household. The efforts will pay off, as your new little friend grows into a confident, affectionate kitty who knows there's no place like home. Here are some tips for making your new friend's arrival easier.

Kittens are sometimes adopted at six weeks of age, but 10 to 12 weeks is better. Those extra weeks spent with his mother and siblings help a kitten learn acceptable behavior, from getting along with siblings to getting used to human contact. A six- or seven-week-old kitten may be stressed and confused at being separated from his or her family too soon; your kitten may be fearful of people, and could try to hide or run away from interaction. If a kitten has been gently handled and has gotten used to humans, he will be friendlier and better adjusted. In choosing a kitten, look for one that is inquisitive, doesn't shy away from your touch, and is ready to play.

Kittens are growth machines for their first year and need different nutrition than adult cats. Extra protein for muscle and tissue development, fat for fatty acids and plenty of calories are key to kittens' health. Specially formulated kitten foods fitting their nutritional requirements should be given until the kitten is a year old.

Away from his littermates or mother, the kitten needs to feel secure as well as warm. Whether you provide a cardboard box lined with a blanket or a fancier bed from a pet supply store, keep your kitten's bed in a quiet place, away from household traffic.

Litter training is easy -- cats instinctively bury their waste -- but takes patience. Put the litter box in a corner or other secluded spot. After your kitten has awakened from a nap, or shortly after she's finished eating, place her in the box. If she doesn't dig or scratch, gently take one of her front paws and simulate digging with it. Praise her if she uses the box, but never punish her if he doesn't. Just place her in it at hourly intervals until she gets the idea.
To discourage clawing furniture, provide a carpet-covered scratching post.

Although everyone will want to hold the kitten, limit handling for the first few days while your new pet adjusts. Set up his bed, litter box and food in a quiet room where he can be secured until he gets to know his new home. Introduce one family member at a time, allowing the kitten to come to you and learn your touch.

Children under five should not interact with kittens; many shelters and rescue groups will not allow families with very young children to adopt kittens because children can be rough, sometimes tragically, with kittens. Older children can be shown how to hold a cat -- with one hand just behind the front legs, the other supporting his hindquarters. They should be taught never to grab a kitten's tail or ears, or pick it up by its scruff. Show children how to gently pet a cat's head and back. Remind them to always wash their hands after being around kitty. Always supervise children's interaction with kittens, especially if they have friends visiting.

Kittens can get tangled or choked by anything swinging or hanging. Therefore, keep your new pet safe by securely anchoring drape or blind cords out of reach.

To prevent chewing on electric and phone cords, bundle them with a cord manager and fasten away from kittens' reach.

Rubber bands, jewelry, Christmas decorations, balloons and other small items are dangerous to kittens that may swallow them. Remove poisonous plants, and roach or ant traps and make sure the toilet lid is down. Keep kitchen and bathroom cabinets closed so your kitten doesn't encounter bleach, detergent, dental floss and other household items when exploring.

In the laundry area, keep washer and dryer doors closed: A kitten may climb into a warm dryer for a nap. Remember, if something would be harmful for a toddler, it's the same for your kitten.

After you've kitten-proofed, introduce your kitten to your home one room at a time. Place his open carrier in whichever room you are introducing him to so he has a retreat if he wants it, and let him walk around while you sit quietly. Talk to him softly as he explores. He may hide under a bed or scoot behind a refrigerator, so you need to be vigilant. If you don't want him in the habit of climbing on your bed, gently remove him and place him on the floor. Bring him back to his own space, and repeat this introduction process in each room of your home until he has explored everyplace.

Before bringing in a new kitten, be sure your resident pets have recently been checked by your vet, and are disease-free. When the kitten is in his or her secured room, your other cat will sniff around the doorway. Give your resident cat extra attention to ease his or her anxiety. Once the kitten feels comfortable, allow the two to meet briefly. Stay in the room while they sniff and explore each other. There may be some hissing and growling. If one cat shows real hostility, separate them and try again a few days later.

Never leave a dog alone with a new kitten. Dogs can become aggressive, or a kitten may claw at a dog's face. Make sure your dog is properly leashed as you introduce him or her to your kitten following the same procedure you would to introduce a cat to your kitten. This lets the animals learn each other's scent. The kitten should not be allowed to run away because the dog may think chasing it is a game. Reward both pets for calm behavior. Always supervise their interactions until the kitten is fully grown.

A kitten's high energy level makes her eager to play at any time. To keep her safe, choose toys carefully, just as you would for a child. Avoid those with buttons, bells or other small parts that can come off and be swallowed. Watch for sharp edges, and beware of string, yarn or ribbon, as these are dangerous if ingested.

If a toy has any of these, always supervise the kitten when she plays with it. Small stuffed animals to attack and a ball too large to fit into her mouth will provide hours of kitten fun. You can hold a plastic fishing pole, anchored by a secure line to a fuzzy mouse or other small toy, in front of the kitten who will delight in chasing this prey.

Your vet should see your kitten within a day or two of his arrival. She'll check for ear mites and fleas, and examine a fecal sample, because most kittens have some form of worms. Many vets routinely deworm all kittens with an oral medication. At six to seven weeks, your kitten should receive a "three-way" vaccine that protects against the respiratory diseases FVR (feline viral rhinotracheitis) and FCV (feline calicivirus), as well as distemper (feline panleukopenia), with a booster shot given 12 to 14 weeks later. If your kitten is at least nine to 10 weeks old, he'll be tested for FeLV (feline leukemia) and FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus). He can get a rabies shot, usually required by law, at 12 weeks of age.

Kittens can be spayed or neutered as early as eight weeks of age, but your vet can determine the best time for this surgery. Spaying protects your female kitten from the risk of mammary, uterine and ovarian cancers, and spares her the stresses of pregnancy. Neutering a male reduces his risk of prostate cancer, and he won't "spray" to mark his territory. Because the urine of intact males literally stinks, neutering your kitten will make the litter box cleanup less of a chore. Spaying or neutering also helps reduce the problem of cat overpopulation.

A kitten left home alone should be secured in one room with his bed, litter box, scratching post, food and water. If you'll be gone until evening, add a nightlight. Give him enough safe toys to keep him busy, such as a trackball toy. Place a radio just outside his door, turned to a classical music or country western station. Many pet sitters have found cats seem to prefer these two genres. Other cats like listening to talk shows, perhaps soothed by the human voice. If your kitten will always be alone during the day, spend extra time petting and playing with him when you return.

When you first bring your kitten home, he may miss his siblings and mother. He'll meow in confusion or wake up during the night. Ease his stress by picking him up, stroking him while speaking in a soothing tone. Wrapping a ticking clock in a towel and placing it near his bed to remind him of his mother's heartbeat.

Kittens have so much energy, they need to stay active to be happy. If you bring home two kittens together rather than one, they'll focus their play-fighting, scratching and wrestling on each other, and are less likely to feel lonely. They are also a lot more fun to watch. FOLLOW US!

Living with a House Rabbit

Perhaps you've just adopted your first rabbit, or maybe you already have a rabbit and would like more information to help you understand her better. The House Rabbit Society, a national nonprofit organization, recommends that you keep your rabbit in the house rather than outdoors. Rabbits are intelligent, social animals who need affection, and they can become wonderful companion animals if given a chance to interact with their human families.

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Mind Your Moods, Cat Owners

Babies "social reference" by checking out their parents' facial expressions and voice tones when they encounter a new or strange object or event in their environment — then base their own reactions on mom's or dad's. They look to their parents as they wonder: Is it OK to stay calm, or is it time to worry?

Animal behavior research shows that dogs do this, too. It's not surprising, given how closely dogs are attuned to us — as they have been for many millennia. New research posted this month on the website of the journal Animal Cognition shows that cats may participate in social referencing also.

To read more on this story, click here: Mind Your Moods, Cat Owners
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Nearly Two Dozen Cats Seized from a Maryland Home, Then Euthanized Touches Off a Furor

Renetta DeBlase always let her 28 cats roam her old red-brick house in Maryland. The 76-year-old retired book editor didn’t mind the smell of cat urine or the expense of caring for so many animals.

Then one cold night this month, her radiator broke and water gushed, flooding the Hyattsville home. She called the fire department for help. When firefighters rushed in to turn off the water, they saw the cats and reported the house to Prince George’s County animal control.

To read more on this story, click here: Nearly Two Dozen Cats Seized from a Maryland Home
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Can a Cat Get Pregnant While Still Nursing Kittens?

Q: Can a cat get pregnant while still nursing kittens?

A: Yes. Lactation (production of milk) does not suppress the heat cycle, and cats that are actively nursing kittens can go into heat as soon as two weeks after giving birth.

Some aspects of a cat’s reproductive capabilities are truly remarkable. Did you know that even being pregnant doesn’t necessarily suppress the heat cycle in cats! In fact, 10 percent of female cats go into heat between the third and sixth week of pregnancy.

Although these cycles are rarely fertile, it actually is possible for a cat to be carrying fetuses of different ages, resulting from separate matings in different heat cycles! The scientific term for this is "superfetation."

Also, a female cat in heat can mate with several males, and it is possible for kittens in a litter to have different fathers. The technical term for this is "superfecundation." Cats long have been recognized for their fertility. Bastet, the Egyptian goddess of fertility, is depicted as a cat in artwork, and the ancient Egyptians worshipped cats as a symbol of fertility.

When it comes to making babies, cats are one of the most prolific domestic pets out there.

(Source: Veterinary Expert, Arnold Plotnick, DVM)
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The Scoop on Pet Poop: Facts and Fiction About Disposing It

Flushing dog poop down the toilet – without a bag, only the waste – is perhaps the best disposal method, says the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Resources Defense Council. Leaving pet waste on the ground increases public health risks by allowing harmful bacteria and nutrients to wash into storm drains, and eventually into local waterbodies.

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Do Cats Need To Be Entertained?

Edgar Allan Poe once said “I wish I could write as mysterious as a cat.”  These often misunderstood and lovable  little pets are victim to a common myth that cats are indifferent to attention. That may be true for some cats, but certainly not for a majority of them. In fact, a bored cat can create just as much havoc around your home as an unsupervised and busy toddler – perhaps even more.


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8 Signs Your Cat Might Be Sick

Just as humans get sick so do cats, however unlike humans cats do not poses the ability to complain to their mummies that their tummy hurts, Recognizing the signs and symptoms that your cat shows can help immensely in relieving them of any discomfort. Below are 8 signs that can quickly identify if your cat is sick or not.

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