Tips for you and your feline friend.

Plants that are toxic to cats

Cats love to chew on greenery, and plenty of common houseplants, garden flowers and kitchen staples can make them sick. Every plant on this page is on the ASPCA's list of plants that are toxic to cats. It's not a complete list, so check the ASPCA's full plant list before you bring a new plant home.

Lilies: the most dangerous for cats

True lilies and daylilies, such as Easter, tiger, Asiatic and Stargazer lilies, can cause kidney failure in cats. Every part of the plant is toxic, including the pollen and even the water in a vase. A small bite of a leaf or a little pollen licked off the fur can be enough.

Early signs include vomiting, drooling, low energy and not eating. Treatment works best when it starts early, so call your veterinarian right away rather than waiting for signs. Peace lilies and calla lilies aren't true lilies: they irritate the mouth but don't cause kidney failure. The safest choice is to keep lilies out of a home with cats.

Simple ways to keep your cat safe

• Look up a plant on the ASPCA list before you buy it or bring home a bouquet.
• Remember that cats climb. A high shelf isn't out of reach for most cats, so leave toxic plants out of the house.
• Watch for chewed leaves, drooling or vomiting, and call your veterinarian if you notice them.

When your cat stops using the litterbox

A cat who pees or poops outside the box isn't being spiteful or "bad." It's their way of telling you something is wrong. The cause usually falls into one of three groups: a medical problem, stress, or something about the litterbox itself. Start with a visit to your veterinarian, because medical causes are common and cats are very good at hiding pain.

Please don't punish your cat. Scolding or rubbing their nose in the mess doesn't work, and the extra stress can make the problem worse.

Medical causes

Bladder and urinary tract problems can make peeing painful, and some cats start to link the box with that pain. Kidney disease, thyroid disease and diabetes can make a cat need to go more often. Constipation and other digestive problems, or stiff, sore joints that make it hard to climb into the box, can also play a part.

Before the visit, jot down any other changes you've noticed, such as eating, drinking, energy or how your cat reacts to being handled. It helps your veterinarian see the whole picture.

Stress and changes at home

Cats feel stress and anxiety too, and a change in bathroom habits is often the first sign. Common triggers include:

• A new pet, baby or person in the home
• Pets in the home who don't get along
• An outdoor cat they can see or smell
• Moving or rearranging the house
• A new litter or a moved litterbox
• Loud noises or a scary event

The best fix is to find the trigger and ease it. It also helps to lower stress in general:

• Play every day with a wand toy, so your cat can "hunt."
• Spend calm, quiet time together.
• Give each cat plenty of their own food and water bowls, litterboxes, high perches, hiding spots, beds and scratchers, spread around the home.
• Give cats who don't get along their own space, and ask your veterinarian about reintroducing them slowly.

Litterbox setup

To a cat, the setup matters a lot. If the box doesn't feel right, they'll look for somewhere that does. A few guidelines:

• Number: one more box than the number of cats in your home, placed in different areas.
• Size: big enough for your cat to turn around in, with low sides for kittens, seniors and cats with stiff joints.
• Style: many cats prefer an uncovered box.
• Litter: unscented, fine-textured litter about one to two inches deep.
• Location: quiet, private and easy to reach, away from food and water.
• Cleaning: scoop every day and wash the box regularly with a mild soap. Clean accidents with an odor-neutralizing cleaner, not ammonia or vinegar.

If it keeps happening

Some cases take time. Keep working with your veterinarian, and if your cat is healthy but still not using the box, ask whether a cat behavior professional could help.