Urinating or defecating outside the litter box, known as inappropriate elimination, is the most common behavioral complaint of cat owners.

Understanding the underlying causes of this condition—and how to treat them appropriately—can help ease the frustration and rebuild the bond between cat lovers and their feline friends.

What causes inappropriate elimination?

Inappropriate elimination can be caused by medical or behavioral issues.

Contrary to popular belief, most cats can be trained. Owners can reinforce desired behavior in food-motivated pets by applying the treat as the cat completes the wanted behavior. The goal is to elicit the wanted behavior first so that you can reinforce it.

We know that cats scratch in order to:

• Stretch and exhibit normal behavior
• Scent mark an object
• Condition their claws
• Ward away unwanted attention

We supply cats with adequate scratching surfaces so they can exhibit their normal behavior.

If the thought of wrangling your cat to get them to their vet appointment makes you cringe- you’re not alone. Who doesn’t enjoy peeling their cat out from under the bed, somehow coercing them into the carrier, and then driving them to the vet office? All while they yowl obscenities at you. This can be a highly stressful event, not only for your cat, but for you as well. Oh yeah, and the experience at the cat’s clinic hasn’t even begun yet.