Having a cat means having a litter box. And having a litter box means “what the heck am I going to do with this often stinky, always unattractive box full of tiny granules that my cat is going to pee and poop in, and then track everywhere?”

Let’s face it, the litter box is the least appealing part of having a cat. I got my first cat when I was about five days old. O.K., my mother got the cat. But I was there. And I’m pretty sure that’s when I started my endless search for the ever-elusive “perfect” litter box set-up.

You notice a wet spot on the side of the sofa, or the drapes, or maybe running down the front door. Hmmm, is that . . . ? Yep, it looks — and smells — like cat pee. Uh oh. What’s going on? Is your cat trying to tell you something?

Actually, when your cat sprays, they are trying to send you (or another cat in or around your home) a message! It’s usually either, “I was here”/"this is my home,” or “I’m stressed out.”

You see, spraying (or “marking”) is all about communication for cats. It’s different from fully peeing or pooping outside the litter box (a.k.a. “inappropriate toileting” or "inappropriate elimination") — which, though could also be due to stress or problems between the pets in your home, is most often related to a problem with your cat’s litter boxes (e.g., the type of litter used, the location or number of boxes available, or another of the common problems with litter box setup and maintenance). And, just to keep things interesting, both “spraying” and “inappropriate elimination” can also be brought on by, or worsened by, an underlying medical problem (e.g., arthritis, urinary tract inflammation (“cystitis”) or infection (“UTI”), kidney failure, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or a host of other problems). This article is going to focus on helping you with a cat that’s spraying or “marking.” Read on to see if that might be your cat, and what you can do about it.

Does it ever seem like your cat has an accident in one spot and keeps returning to the same spot? Well here's a fun fact: this isn’t their favorite spot to pee or poop. More likely than not, you didn’t clean up the last mess all the way, which is why they keep returning to the scene — or, more accurately, the scent — of the crime. 

When you first get a cat, your next stop is usually the pet store for kitty supplies. A litter box is always at the top of that list, but few people give much thought to the box itself. 

Looking at them, you might think that any one box is about the same as any other. However not all litter boxes are created equal; more to the point, not all litter boxes are created equal for all cats.

Does your cat have enough litter boxes? Litter boxes are like good friends… you can never have too many of them. Well… maybe you could have too many litter boxes for your taste, but not for your cat's.

There's a litter box rule of thumb: n+1. In the veterinary profession we have a litter box "rule of thumb," it’s called the “n+1 rule.” And basically what it means is that you should have one more litter box than the number of cats you have.

Cat Poop Freqency

Earlier this year when we asked for topics that you all wanted advice and insight on, quite a few people asked us (some variation of) this question… How often should my cat “go?”

It’s an important question, and one that — of course — has a not-so-straightforward answer.

As with many things about cats, there are several factors that will influence the answer. These factors include, amongst other things…

Growing up with a cat has many well-documented benefits for your children. From a greater level of empathy and better social skills to a lower risk of allergies, growing up with cats can be great for your children. Along with all of the benefits though, come some dangers — both for the children and the cats.

Whether you’re a parent, aunt/uncle, grandparent, or just a friend to someone with kids you need to stay aware and vigilant. Adult awareness can help prevent problems and ensure that the balance stays on the side of the benefits. Here are five crucial lessons that all children should be taught about living — or even just interacting — with cats.

Bringing a new cat into your home is an exciting time, but in between all the fun and excitement, it’s important to remember a few practicalities.

Follow the 10 simple pet-proofing steps outlined in this article to help ensure that your kitty stays safe and healthy for many years to come.