Scoop your cat’s box a minimum of once daily. Ideally, it should be scooped every time that you notice that your cat has eliminated in it. Some cats are very fastidious and you need to scoop as they go.
Increase the number of litterboxes in your home to the number of cats in the household, plus one.
Thoroughly clean the areas where your cat has eliminated with an odor eliminator that is specifically designed for pet odors. For example: Zero Odor, Urine Off, Febreze Pet Odor, and Anti-Icky Poo (1-800-745-1671).
Increase the size of your litterboxes to at least 1.5 times the length of your cat, or at least 24” X 36”. Consider a large plastic clothes storage bin if they already have large boxes.
Empty and thoroughly clean the litterbox once monthly (even if you have a liner). Do not use ammonia-based products.
Change the location of your litterboxes to frequented areas. There should be a litterbox available where any cat spends most of its time.
Do not yell at or physically punish your cat. Do not rub your cat’s face in its urine or feces.
Confine your cat in a small space with their litterboxes when a family member cannot directly monitor them.
Cover areas where your cat has eliminated with aluminum foil, carpet runner (“knobby” side up), strongly scented products (e.g., citronella, potpourri, mentholatum), or contact paper (sticky side up).
Once you have determined your cat’s litterbox size, style, and litter preference, place the litterboxes in many different locations around the house as instructed during your appointment.
Change your litterboxes to the uncovered type.
Offer your cat a “buffet” of litter choices by placing identical boxes (in addition to the boxes that your cat already has) filled with different litter next to each other near the spot where the litterbox is now. This will help you determine your cat’s litter preference. Leave the boxes out for 2 weeks. Maintain the same standard of cleanliness that you maintain for all of the boxes. Litter choices include but are not limited to newspaper-based litter, non-clumping litter, cat-attract litter, and scented litter. Your cat’s litter preference will eventually become clear. When it does, continue to use that litter forever.
Neuter/spay your cat.
Take your cat to the box and praise them for elimination, and give a treat within 1 second of finishing.
Place your cat’s food bowl, water bowls, toys, and bedding in the areas that your cat has chosen to eliminate.
Decrease the amount of time that your cat is allowed outside.
Place your cat’s litterbox in the place that they are eliminating most frequently. If they choose to eliminate in the box, leave it there for the next 7 days, then slowly move the box six inches a day to the location of your choosing. If your cat avoids this box and urinates or defecates around it, call us.
Do not interrupt your cat while they are using the litterbox.
Limit the dog’s access to the litterbox.
