Feline Elimination Behavior Problems
Behavior Modification Techniques
Aversion Therapy
The purpose of Aversion Therapy is to make the area of inappropriate urination or defecation undesirable for the cat. These steps are necessary to maximize success.
- A product to neutralize the odor of urine or stool should be used in the places where inappropriate urination or defecation have occurred.
- Cover the area(s) with aluminum foil and secure it to the carpet or furniture with masking tape. Aluminum foil is a surface that most cats will not walk on.
- If the soil in potted plants is being used, place a lemon-scented air freshener at the base of the plant. This will usually repel the cat.
Attraction Therapy
The purpose of Attraction Therapy is to make the litter box more desirable than the inappropriate site.
- Use a new or very well cleaned litter box. It is important not to use a litter box with a hood. Although we like our privacy, most cats find a hooded litter box undesirable presumably because it traps odors inside.
- Use a non-scented clumping litter. If a cat has not been using this type of litter, it will usually find it more desirable than the clay types. That increases the chances that the new litter box will be used. One study showed that cats tend to dislike heavily perfumed litters.
- Place this litter box near the area of inappropriate urination until it is used for several days, then move it 2-3 feet per day back to the desired location.
- Keep the existing litter box in the normal location in case the aversion therapy causes your cat to return to it.
Alternative Medications
Although buspirone is a good first choice, some cats are more responsive to other medications. Other drugs, which have been used to manage inappropriate urination, include Elavil* and Valium*.
