• Have your cat spayed or neutered at 6 months of age. Sexually mature, intact cats frequently use urine and fecal marking to indicate their territory. Neutering will correct 90% of elimination problems.
  
  
• The rule of thumb for the number of litterboxes is one per cat, per household, plus one. Extra litterboxes are necessary because some cats like to defecate in one and urinate in another. Others will not use a box that has already been soiled or used by another cat.
  
  
• Clean litterboxes DAILY. The single most common reason for a cat’s refusal to use a litterbox is because the box is dirty. Non-clumping litter should be scooped daily and the litterbox emptied and washed every other day. Clumping litter should also be scooped daily and the litterboxes washed when soiled.
  
  
• Choose a litter that appeals to the cat. Most cats prefer the texture of the sand-like scooping litters. Be sure to choose a brand that clumps into a firm ball, making scooping easier and cleaner. (Everclean HD is excellent). As a health precaution for young kittens that might be prone to ingest litter, use a non-clumping litter until the kitten is 4 months old.
  
  
• NEVER use scented litters. Perfumed, chemical scents repel cats. When washing the litterbox, use a mild dishwashing liquid. Do not use harsh chemicals that will leave an odor.
  
  
• Do not use litterbox liners; they can be irritating to some cats. Also covered or hooded litterboxes may be offensive to some cats. Be sure the litterbox is not too small for your cat. The minimum size for a litterbox is 22’ x 16’.
  
  
• Place litterboxes in quiet, private places that are easily accessible to the cat and where it will not be disturbed by children or ambushed by other pets. Noisy areas near washing machines, furnaces, or under stairs may frighten the cat away from the box. A house with several stories should have a litterbox on each floor. NEVER place litterboxes near food and water dishes.
  
  
• Kittens have an innate predisposition to use loose material as their litter, but they may also choose other locations. You should limit their territory until they learn that the litterbox is the only acceptable place for elimination. Praise and rewards will speed up the learning process. Like small children, they should not be expected to travel far to find their toilet areas.
  
  
• When introducing a new cat into the home, confine the cat to one room with its litterbox, bed, food, and water until the cat has used the litterbox several times and shows an interest in exploring the rest of the house.
  
  
• Help your cat feel comfortable in his own home and territory. Play games with him, give him a massage, and talk to him frequently. Give him positive and affectionate attention. A confident, secure, contented and relaxed cat does not need to relieve anxiety and stress by such extreme measures as urine or fecal marking.
  

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