Do you love your cat, but she is driving you crazy with her behavior? I have been there, and it is a heart wrenching time.

You have well meaning friends and family, who may not be fond of cats, telling you, they wouldn't put up with that. Your house is slowly being destroyed by your cat urinating everywhere but the litter box, and picking at your new couch.

You are tired when you get home from work, and the last thing you want to do, is to clean up cat messes, if you even can. Cat urine is strong and hard to get out. So, you take her to the vet, and he claims she is fine. Now what?

It is not always easy, but sometimes you need to take the time, and get down on the floor and think like the cat.

Did you change to new litter because it was on sale?

Did you move where the litter box was, and now its in a busy traffic area?

Did you change your cats food?

Did someone new move in the house?

It doesn't take much to put a cats nose out of joint. If you bought a new type of litter to save money, DON'T, its not worth it. If you absolutely must change the litter type, then do it gradually. Cats are very particular about their toilet habits. They also like a bit of privacy. If you put the litter box in a high traffic area, she will bolt when she is startled and wont go there again.

Changing the cats food, can also change their toilet habits, it may create a different smell, and put them off. Change foods gradually if you must change at all.

If someone new has moved in the house, they may be acting out.. Make sure the new person is introduced to the cat, and she feels comfortable with them.

I have a cat, that started urinating on the dog mats, and a chair, everyone told me it was because she was miffed at the dogs. In reality, she has gained a fair bit of weight, and couldn't make it downstairs to the basement in time. I put her litter box closer and everything was fine.

There are many reasons a cats behavior can turn, and you should always get your kitty checked out at the vet, but sometimes it just takes a bit of investigation and observation to see where the problem is. Cats do not tolerate change very well, and need to adjust gradually, that is especially true for litter boxes, food, and adding another pet.

If you cat is acting out, try and take the time find out, before you do something drastic.