Get a Clear Plan for Your Pet’s Everyday Problems

Two Focused Tools

Pick the one that matches your pet’s problem.

Cat Litter Problem Solver

Having trouble with litter box use, accidents, odor, tracking, or multi-cat litter problems?

Dog Daily Behavior Problem Solver

Get a practical action plan for barking, jumping, pulling, chewing, potty accidents and other everyday behavior problems.

How It Works

• Select Your Problem: Choose from common cat litter or dog behavior issues.
• Answer Simple Questions: A few quick questions about your pet and situation.
• Get Your Action Plan: Receive a structured plan with a 7-day timeline and progress check.

Practical Help for Everyday Pet Problems

Pet Problem Solver is a free, browser-based tool designed to help pet owners work through common, recurring issues with their cats and dogs. Instead of scrolling through scattered forum posts, you get a structured, step-by-step plan tailored to your specific situation.

For cat owners, the Cat Litter Problem Solver covers peeing outside the box, pooping outside the box, litter-box avoidance, sudden changes in litter habits, litter tracking, strong odors, and multi-cat litter conflict. Each path walks you through relevant questions about your cat’s age, the number of boxes, litter type, location, cleanliness, and recent changes at home, then generates a practical action plan.

For dog owners, the Dog Daily Behavior Problem Solver addresses excessive barking, jumping on people, leash pulling, chewing, potty accidents, digging, separation-related behavior, fear and anxiety, and reactivity. You will answer questions about your dog’s age, when the behavior happens, what triggers it, your current response, exercise levels, and recent routine changes to get a beginner-friendly plan you can start today.

Every plan includes a 7-day action plan, a list of what to monitor, and clear guidance on when to seek professional help. The tool does not diagnose medical or behavioral conditions — it provides general educational guidance to help you take practical first steps.

Pet Guides

Cat Peeing Outside the Litter Box? 11 Reasons and What to Do

A practical guide covering medical causes, environmental factors, stress, and spraying — plus a 7-day reset plan and veterinary warning signs.

How to Stop Your Dog From Pulling on the Leash: A 7-Day Plan

A step-by-step guide with daily exercises, reward techniques, and strategies for distractions, puppies, city walking, and hot weather.

Important

This site provides general educational guidance and is not a substitute for veterinary care or professional animal behavior advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my cat suddenly avoiding the litter box?

Sudden litter-box avoidance is often linked to a medical issue, so the first step is to contact your veterinarian — especially if your cat previously used the box normally. Other common causes include a dirty box, a recent change in litter type or brand, a new pet or person in the home, a moved box, or stress from renovations or routine changes. Once your vet has ruled out a medical cause, review the box setup: cleanliness, location, litter type, and number of boxes (the general guideline is one box per cat plus one extra).

How many litter boxes should I have?

The widely recommended guideline is one litter box per cat, plus one extra. So for one cat you would have two boxes, for two cats three boxes, and so on. This gives cats choice and prevents one cat from blocking access in multi-cat homes. Boxes should be spread across different areas of your home, not all in one room, so that no single cat can guard all of them at once.

Why is my cat peeing outside the box?

Peeing outside the litter box can have medical or behavioral causes. Medical causes — such as urinary tract issues, crystals, or bladder inflammation — need to be ruled out by a veterinarian first, especially if the change was sudden. Behavioral causes include a dirty box, too few boxes, an undesirable litter type, a poor box location (too busy, too noisy, or hard to access), stress from changes at home, or multi-cat conflict. Clean soiled areas with an enzymatic cleaner to remove scent traces, and address the underlying cause rather than punishing your cat.

Why does litter get tracked around the house?

Litter tracking happens when granules stick to your cat's paws and fall off as they walk away. Fine-grained litters (especially clumping clay) tend to track the most. You can reduce tracking by using a large, textured litter mat outside the box, switching to a larger-grain or pellet litter, using a top-entry or high-sided box, and placing the box on hard flooring rather than carpet.

When should I contact a vet about litter-box problems?

Contact your veterinarian if you see any of the following: sudden changes in litter-box habits, straining to urinate or crying in the box, blood in the urine or stool, frequent trips to the box with little output, increased drinking, vomiting, lethargy, not eating, hiding, or signs of pain. Inability to urinate is a medical emergency — seek immediate veterinary care. When in doubt, a vet visit is always the safest first step.

How can I reduce excessive barking?

First, identify what triggers the barking (sounds, people, other dogs, attention-seeking, or being left alone). Block visual access to outdoor triggers by closing blinds or using window film, and muffle sounds with white noise. Avoid yelling at your dog to be quiet — your dog may interpret this as joining in. Instead, reward quiet moments and teach a "quiet" cue by marking and rewarding brief pauses in barking. Ensure your dog gets enough exercise and mental enrichment, as under-stimulated dogs bark more.

How can I stop my dog jumping on people?

The key is to stop rewarding jumping with attention — even pushing your dog away or saying "no" can count as attention. Instead, fold your arms, turn your back, and become completely still when your dog jumps. The moment four paws are on the floor, reward with calm attention. Teach an alternative behavior like "sit for greeting" and practice with family members first, then with calm visitors. Keep greetings low-key to avoid over-exciting your dog.

How can I improve leash pulling?

Stop walking forward when the leash is tight — every step forward while pulling rewards the behavior. Instead, stop and wait for slack, or turn and walk the other direction ("penalty yards"). Reward your dog for walking near your side with a loose leash. Start practicing in low-distraction areas like your driveway or a quiet hallway, and gradually move to busier environments. A front-clip harness can give you better control while you train. Avoid retractable leashes, which teach dogs that tension is normal.

How can I reduce chewing?

Provide plenty of appropriate chew outlets (durable chew toys, stuffed Kongs, safe chews) and supervise your dog when loose in the house. If you cannot supervise, use a crate or safe confinement area. Remove items you do not want chewed. Make sure your dog gets enough exercise and mental enrichment — bored dogs chew more. If your dog has something off-limits, trade it for a high-value treat rather than chasing or punishing. For puppies, chewing is normal during teething — offer frozen chew toys to soothe gums.

When should I get professional behavior help?

Seek help from a qualified force-free dog behavior professional if you see aggression or biting, behavior that risks injury to people or animals, severe distress (panicked escape attempts, self-injury), fear or reactivity that is not improving or is getting worse, or any behavior that feels beyond your ability to manage safely. For sudden behavior changes with no obvious cause, consult your veterinarian first to rule out pain or medical contributors. Early professional help is always better than waiting.