COMFORT YOUR CAT:
CAT PEEING OUTSIDE LITTER BOX

CHECK YOUR CAT'S HEALTH AND LITTER BOX PREFERENCE

If your cat's peeing habits have changed, take him to a veterinarian right away. Peeing outside a litter box—whether just over the edge or all over your house—can be a sign of health issues.

Once your cat has a clean bill of health, try different types of boxes and litter.¹ Sometimes, cats develop a particular preference for reasons we may not clearly understand. He might feel a box is too big, or he might be intimidated if a box is in an area with a lot of noise. He may be picky about the type of litter, preferring clay over pellets or wanting crystals, so dust doesn't get stuck in his paws. Some cats dislike the fragrance of the litter or prefer it to be a certain depth. Test a variety of boxes and litter types to determine your cat's preferences. Make sure you clean the litter boxes frequently. Cats will find other places to use as a litter box if theirs isn't clean.

STRESS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO LITTER ISSUES

Sometimes litter box issues are triggered by stress. If a stray cat is wandering outside at night, your cat might start spraying to mark her territory. If you recently adopted a new cat, your first cat might pee outside the box because she's intimidated and needs a box she doesn't have to share. A good rule of thumb is to have one litter box per cat plus one extra litter box in your home.

Even rearranging furniture or leaving home more often can trigger insecurity in your kitty. Set up cat trees or cat condos in your home since cats tend to feel more confident when they have high spaces to inhabit. Play with your kitty more and try clicker training. The more you bond with your cat, the more confident she'll feel.

COMFORT ZONE PRODUCTS CAN HELP

If you think your cat may be stressed, Comfort Zone products can help. These products help address your cat's e-meow-tional well-being. Comfort Zone products promote a calming effect that may help reduce stress behaviors in your kitty. Plug in a Comfort Zone Cat Calming Diffuser with Opticalm Diffuser into the rooms where your kitty spends the most time. If you have more than one cat, use the Comfort Zone Multi-Cat Diffuser with Opticalm Diffuser. If your cat is on-the-go, give him a Comfort Zone Calming Pheromone Collar, and he'll take those calming feelings wherever he roams.

Stress is no fun, for you or your kitty. By following these steps, you can identify the trigger and help your cat feel more confident and calm.

1. The Humane Society of the United States. "Preventing Litter Box Problems." HumaneSociety.org, https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/preventing-litter-box-problems.