My cat is urinating outside of the litter box! Can Essential Oils help?
We asked Dr. Gabby Rotaru, a Certified Animal Aromatherapist Specialist at Chestermere Veterinary Clinic for more information:
We get a lot of questions about the frustrating issue of cats urinating outside of the litter box.
Well, there is light at the end of the tunnel!
There are lots of reasons why cats will suddenly decide to urinate outside of the litterbox. But it all comes down to two things:
- medical problems
- behavioural issues or
- a combination of both.
It is true that we will need to perform some tests to rule out medical problems first. It would be tragic to treat a cat for behaviour issues just to find out six months later that in fact, the cat had a medical problem like urinary crystals.
Here are some things to consider when your cat starts to urinate outside of the litter box:
– Do I have enough litter boxes in the house? Some cats prefer to use one litter box for
urine and a different one for bowel movements. Rule of thumb is to have the number of cats in the house plus one when it comes to litter boxes (2 cats = 3 litter boxes).
– Did I change the type of litter and my cat does not like it?
– Did I change the type of litter box and my cat does not like it? (ex. changing from an open to an enclosed litter box).
– Is my cat stressed or bored? (There are ways to tell if this is the case or not).
– Does my cat have arthritic changes and cannot get in and out of the litter box with ease?
These are just a few questions you need to ask yourself when it comes down to “cat litter box blues”. Book an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out medical issues and discuss tips for dealing with behavioral issues.
Essential oils are another alternative therapy that can help! Essential Oils are not a substitute for medication when needed, but rather a supplement option that helps restore normal balance in the body. We have successfully used essential oils for behavioural and medical issues, helping cats get through these episodes of inappropriate urination with ease.
Essential Oils can be diffused, applied topically (always diluted) or sometimes given in food (only at the direction of a Certified Specialist). Different cats will need different essential oils for the same issue of urinating outside of the litter box. It all depends on what the core problem is.
As a Certified Animal Aromatherapist Specialist, I continue to be amazed by how well pets respond to Essential Oils! Mother Nature is truly amazing, and this natural therapy is an excellent complement to traditional medicine!
If it is determined that your cat urinates outside of the litter box due to behavioural issues, please ask us about the natural spray made from essential oils that can help with this issue. This spray is also used as a deterrent for cats that scratch furniture.
Contact us to book an appointment.
