Martin Scott & Gael Mariani

There are various reasons why a cat might fail to use his litter tray. It is important that the vet be consulted in order to eliminate any possible medical cause for te problem: the cat may be suffering from a digestive disorder or a urinary infection. Once medical causes have been eliminated, it is safe to assume the problem is a behavioral one.

Cats are very clean animals and it is important that litter trays should be kept clean by removing stools and adding fresh litter regularly. Not that if the tray is kept too clean, i.e. emptying it completely and scrubbing it out each day this can actually cause its own problems! The cat needs to be able to smell the scent of the tray, as it is the smell that will draw it back to use the tray again. If other areas in the home have been soiled and the cat has decided on his own toilet spot, eliminating the smell from this can encourage the cat to go back to using the litter. Areas can be cleaned with vinegar, and also with strong alcohol such as vodka. Avoid using cleaning products containing ammonia, as these can actually attract cats, and dogs, to urinate in the cleaned areas. Another possible solution, once the soiled area has been cleaned, is to start feeding the cat there ??? cats do not like to soil where they eat.

Cats may take to soiing in various areas of the house for reasons of frustration at not being let out, in which ase measures need to be taken to provide greater stimulation. Owners should also be careful not to confuse simple urination with territorial spraying. Many cats can live happily together, but sometimes friction arises and then some cats, especially entire toms, will redefine their territorial boundaries by spraying. Certain Bach remedies may hlp this problem.

Other types of stress, for example nervousness or other cats coming in through the cat flap, may also be involved. Sometimes a cat that is kept indoor can look out of a window and see other cats coming into their territory. Unable to go outside and see te intruder off they suffer from frustration and may being to mark their territory indoors, often by the window from which they saw the invading cat! The solution to this may involve a rethink of the cats lifestyle, perhaps allowing it greater freedom. Simply covering up the window is not an ideal solution but may be better than nothing as a first step.

In general the solution is to discover why the cat feels compelled to restate his claim on his territory. It may be necessary to have a tom neutered (not a bad thing in itself, as there are too many unwanted cats already). Anxiety and frustration can be helped with Bach remedies, but we should remember that the cat is acting fairly normally and being put under rather unfair pressure. Rather than try to find a 'remedy' for this victim of human mismanagement, it may be better to simply offer the cat a more suitable lifestyle.

Bach remedies to help:

Impatiens, Agrimony and White Chestnut

To help reduce stress generally.

Chestnut Bud and Rock Water

To help encourage the cat to learn.

For spraying/territorial problems.

Holly, Willow, Beech and Water Violet

To help smooth out the 'wrinkles' in the cats' relations and encourage greater harmony