Cats have so many qualities that charm owners — especially the fact that they take great pride in keeping themselves clean and take very little effort to litter-train. When some cats develop an issue with using the bathroom in the wrong place it can be particularly frustrating for owners because it's simply unexpected.

In fact, this issue is the most common reason why people give up their cats. The good news is that there are a number of things that can be done to encourage cats to rekindle their interest in their litter box.

First and foremost, a visit to the veterinarian can ensure that there are no medical issues such as dehydration, constipation or a urinary tract infection.

If there's nothing medically wrong with your pet, there are a number of things to try at home. And they all require owners to experience their home environment from a cat's perspective.

To make a litter box more attractive, there are many simple fixes. If your home has more than one floor, it is important to have a litter box on each level with one per cat, plus one extra. Giving your cat choices increases the likelihood that it will use a box instead of picking a place on your carpet. You want to place litter boxes in rooms that are easy to access and easy to escape, especially for older cats that might have difficulty with stairs. Cats prefer their litter boxes in quiet, private spots, away from their dining area. Like you, they don't like to relieve themselves where they eat and drink.

Cats can also become finicky about litter preference. If your cat is avoiding his litter box, you can let him pick litter type. Buy small bags of fine-grained versus rocky pellets and test them in each box. Some like a box with deep sand. Some prefer shallow sand. Most like litter that's unscented. Clay-based clumping brands are the most popular as they're easy to scoop.

Keep in mind that your kitty's nose is far more sensitive than yours. Brands that sell sand with strong fragrance are marketed for you, not for your cat's pleasure. Even using detergents to wash their box, or aerosol and plug-in air fresheners around their box can be a major turnoff. The best way to control odors in the sandbox is to clean it twice a day.

A well-ventilated area is also essential for litter box location. Enclosed, covered cat boxes are appealing to people but not as appealing for cats.

If your cat is straining while defecating, he may very well be constipated. Brushing him daily and regular administration of hair ball remedy should be part of your routine. Cats like fresh water that's changed daily. They want water that's their own and appreciate not sharing a bowl with other animals.

Another issue that frustrates owners even more than defecation issues is spraying. If kitty was not a sprayer before, a traumatic event such as moving homes can trigger the behavior.