Colorado Springs, Colorado (NAPSI) - “Why is my kitty going outside the litter box?” is one of the top questions that veterinarians get asked by cat parents.

According to Dr. Laura Wiles, a veterinarian who specializes in feline medicine, it might be a health issue, behavioral problem or the cat’s environment.

Dr. Wiles advises cat parents to first take kitty to their vet to rule out any health problems. For behavioral and environmental issues, Dr. Wiles offers some tips to help make kitty’s trips to the litter box less stressful:

• Place the litter box in a location that’s best for kitty-not you. Cats prefer that their litter box be in a quiet, easy-to-access location that offers them some privacy-not a high-traffic or noisy area.

• Keep the litter box clean. Sift the litter regularly to keep it fresh. Wash the litter box every time you do a complete change of litter, using mild soap and water or an enzymatic cleaner (not bleach).

• Have multiple litter boxes if you have multiple cats. The gold standard is one litter box per cat, plus one extra. Make sure they’re big enough, too.

• Find out if your cat prefers covered or uncovered litter boxes. If your cat with issues has a box with a cover, try uncovering it as a test.

• Use a litter that kitty likes. Choose a cat litter such as the new Simple Solution 30 day Super Absorbent Litter, made from attapulgite clay, that stays fresh and clean for up to a month. Cats especially like it because its soft texture is gentle on their paws.

Finally, if you have indoor cats, help them get rid of excess energy and stop them from getting bored by playing with them during the day.

For more information, visit www.30daycatlitter.com.