Article: If your cat has started going to the bathroom on a rug or other place on the ground in your house, place a litter box over that spot to encourage her to use the box instead. After she has used the box for one month, move it an inch per day until it is back where you want it to be. Cats like to use dark spaces to go to the bathroom, so a closet might be very appealing to your cat. If your cat has started urinating on the floor of a dark space, keep the light turned on or consider a motion light to discourage your cat from urinating in that space. Cats may develop a preference for a certain type of surface and begin using it as a bathroom. Turning over rugs and carpet runners may discourage your cat by changing the texture of the surface. Try flipping over your rugs and carpets for a few days to see if that stops your cat from urinating on them. Sticky tape can discourage a cat from urinating on a piece of furniture because the sensation of the tape on their paws is unpleasant. Try applying double sided sticky tape to the edges of furniture as well as over the spot where your cat likes to urinate. Cleaning up accidents right after they happen will also help deter your cat from using the same spot again. Use an enzymatic cleaner rather than an ammonia based one. Ammonia-based cleaners may cause your cat to urinate more often on the spot because she may interpret the ammonia as another cat’s urine that she must cover up with her own urine. If you have a long haired cat, she may have an aversion to the litter box because she feels dirty after using it. Keeping your cat’s hair trimmed may help her to use the litter box. You may also need to bathe her to make sure that she does not smell like urine or feces. If you are uncomfortable with bathing your cat, look for an experienced cat groomer in your area. Negative associations with the litter box may be improved by doing things like playing with your cat around the litter box. Try playing with your cat a few feet away from her box a few times per day to help generate more positive feelings about the litter box.  Do not try to reward your cat for using the litter box by giving her treats. Cats don’t like to be disturbed while they use the litter box.  You can leave treats and toys near your cat’s litter box, but do not keep your cat’s food and water dish next to her box. Cats don’t like to eat too close to where they use the bathroom. Encouraging your cat to use the litter box takes time and effort, but it may not always be successful. Some veterinarians undergo special training to help people deal with problems such as urinating outside of the box. If your cat does not improve over time, consider speaking to a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Relocate your cat’s box slowly. Light up dark spaces that your cat has started to urinate. Flip carpet runners and rugs upside down. Apply double sided sticky tape to furniture. Clean accidents with an enzymatic cleaner. Trim long hair around hind quarters. Play with your cat around her box. Talk to your veterinarian if things don’t improve.