Senior Cat Comfort & Care

If your cat is peeing or pooping outside the box, it's vital to remember a few things.

• Your cat isn’t being "bad." Peeing and pooping where they feel safe and secure is natural to them.
• Your cat is not mad at you or trying to punish you. Revenge is a bit too complex for cats.
• Soiling is your cat's way of telling you something is wrong, and they need your help!

Soiling comes down to 3 possible causes:

Medical. Any pain or discomfort can lead to soiling. It's not just urinary or digestive. Cats will soil for things like paw pain, joint pain, ear infections, broken bones, etc.

Emotional. Stress, fear, not getting along with people or pets, not having their needs met — any emotional stress can trigger soiling.

Litter box set up. Even if your cat has used the same litter box for years, changes now can make a difference. See Chapter 10.

The best thing you can do is have patience and understanding. Think about potential emotional triggers, create litter boxes that meet their needs really well, and have your vet do a thorough medical exam. If you're still having trouble, consider working with a certified feline training and behavior consultant.