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Usually in cases of housetraining problems with cats or kittens, there was something neglected in the social and dietary management aspects of pet care. Follow these suggestions:
1. Do not leave food out all the time. Feed twice daily to allow supervision afterward.
2. Litter boxes should be cleaned daily and refreshed with new litter at least weekly. Be sure to supply more than one litter box in multi-cat households.
3. Plan a 5 minute play session with your cat in the morning and at night.
4. Prolonged stroking can lead to problems. Stroking should be limited to no more than a few minutes.
5. In the event that spraying has followed an invasion of the cat's territory by a new baby, guest, new pet, etc., more upbeat playful attention should be given the cat at times when the invader first enters the cat's area. This helps associate the target of jealousy with pleasure, rather than with social neglect.
6. If the cat sprays in your presence, try triggering a startling reflex of other human origin. This might be dropping a pot or slapping a table with your hand. This sudden noise should stop the urination allowing you time to take the cat to its litter box. Wait for the cat to do his duties and then praise him lavishly.
7. Clean up soiled spots when the cat is elsewhere. We have odor neutralizer that will remove the odor, not just cover it up.
8. One teaspoon of apple cider vinegar put into one feeding daily will help alter the urine odor possibly preventing the desire to mark an area again.
9. Start feeding the cat at the location of the soiling. Leave the food dish down at the spot until the next meal. If several areas are soiled split the feeding into however many dishes are needed to cover the areas. Bowls may start to be removed slowly after 4-5 days without soiling. This program is usually successful in six weeks or less.
10. Be sure to spay or neuter. Though not a 100% cure or prevention, it is still the most highly effective method.
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