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I am sure that all of us cat owners have experienced it. We come home after a long day to see cat pee or doodle on the floor. While some of us may act as if the world has ended, most of us probably ask the question" what is wrong with (insert cat's name here)?"

There are a couple of different reasons why a cat would go to the bathroom outside the litter box. It could be that the cat's litter box is dirty because you are so busy you have not had time to clean it yet. Even if your intentions are not to be disrespectful, the cat may not understand this. They want a clean bathroom, and I would not blame them. None of us would want to use a bathroom that was not clean either. I know that many of us lead busy lives with work and everything, but the cat's litter box should be cleaned at least twice a week (depending on how often the cat goes to the bathroom). It does not take long to accomplish. Just scoop away all the waste, and then discard of the litter and cat pan liner. All you have to do not is leave a new liner in with fresh litter. I admit, I am not the litter box changer in my home, but I know how to do this if I had to be. I am sure that many of us have time on weekends, so just choose one of those days plus an additional weekday. You could even do it while watching television or doing other chores like laundry.

Another reason that cat may eliminate outside the litter box is because it is sick. Cats do this if they are not feeling well, so it is important to bring your cat to the vet immediately. Most illnesses are not serious if caught early. Most likely, the cat may have a urinary tract infection, or some digestive condition. The sooner they get treatment, the more likely it will be treatable. The cat may be in pain, and of course it has no way to tell you. You have to leave your superior human to good use and realize this on your own. Even though all animals should see their vet once a year, many owners skimp on these visits, which they should never do. Would they skimp on doctor visits for their health? I think not.

Older cats may have impaired vision, and may not use their litterbox because of this. Do not be angry because this is a common thing for elderly cats. Try to leave their litterbox in the same place because they are still able to sniff for it.

No matter what the reason is, your pet deserves the best care. If you notice signs of illness or disability, make an appointment with the vet right away.

Learn more about this author, Erin Yarrobino.
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