There are numerous causes for this behavior, many of them medical, so a cat who has inappropriate elimination should be examined by a veterinarian. Laboratory tests will need to be performed in most cases. Medical conditions which cause pain urinating or defecating, or make it difficult for the cat to get in and out of the litter box, may also result in inappropriate elimination. Treatment of these medical conditions may help to resolve this behavioral problem. In addition, using litter boxes with lower sides, placing the litter box in the area in which the cat spends the most time, and increasing the number of litter boxes may be helpful.
Stress can be a major cause of inappropriate elimination in cats of all ages.
Stressors such as moving, changes in routine, or changes in the makeup of the family can result in inappropriate elimination. For instance, when moving, attempt to keep the cat in a quiet portion of the home when packing and during the actual moving day. Spend time with her in that room and feed her and clean the litter box at the usual time. Gradually let her become accustomed to the rest of the house. Feliway contains phermones from the cat's face.