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My Pet World: Don't Go Overboard Sharing Beers With Your Dog

By Steve Dale, Tribune Media Services on

Another option, if you and your cats will tolerate it, is to keep the bedroom door closed.

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Q: One of our two cats urinates in the bathroom sink. We keep the litter box clean. I've tried lining the sink with plastic or filling it with water, but the male cat still goes there. Any advice? -- R.I.H., Chambersburg, PA

A: Cats who relieve themselves on counters, tabletops, stoves, in sinks or similar elevated places may be ill. Before assuming we're dealing solely with a behavior issue, see your veterinarian.

Often, cats who are insecure about using the litter box without being ambushed by another cat (or disturbed by the family dog or nearby kids causing commotion) prefer a bathroom with a view. I do wonder if one cat is intimidating the other. Sometimes, cats' intimidation techniques are so subtle that's it's hard for mere humans to discern what's going on.

 

Add at least one more litter box, and preferably two (without covers). Place one box in the bathroom, near where the male is now relieving himself. Place the second box wherever you like, just so it's at least six feet from the other box.

There's much more about inappropriate elimination in my ebook, "Good Cat!" (available wherever ebooks are sold, $2.99).

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Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can't answer all of them individually, he'll answer those of general interest in his column Send e-mail to PETWORLD(at)STEVE DALE.TV. Include your name, city and state. Steve's website is www.stevedalepetworld.com; he also hosts the nationally syndicated "Steve Dale's Pet World" and "The Pet Minute." He's also a contributing editor to USA Weekend.


(c) 2012 DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

 

 

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