Litterbox problems
Although the litterbox is usually the most unpleasant aspect of cat care, it is in many ways very simple. Unlike dog owners, who must put considerable time and effort into house breaking their dog, cat owners benefit from the fact that cats usually do not need to be house trained. The litter box is the most natural place for your cat to do its business and she only needs to know where it is to use it.
Unfortunately, because cats are picky about their litter box, if she doesn’t like something about it she may use the laundry or your favourite rug instead. The following guidelines will help you ensure your cat’s litterbox is perfect for her so you can avoid any messes in your house.
1. Does your cat have a medical problem?
2. How often do you clean the box?
3. How much litter are you using?
4. What kind of litter are you using?
5. Is your cat afraid of the box?
6. Where is the box located?
7. How many boxes do you have?
8. How big is the box?
1. Does your cat have a medical problem?
If your cat refuses to use her litterbox, the first thing you should do is make an appointment with your veterinarian to determine if the problem is medically related. Urinary tract infections and crystals in a cat’s urine are common kitty problems. Even if your cat appears very healthy, she may not be as cats are very good at hiding their illnesses. A medical problem could be the cause of your cat eliminating elsewhere, or could be causing your pet to associate the litterbox with pain, which she will avoid.
2. How often do you clean the box?
One of the most common causes of a cat refusing to use her litterbox is its unsanitary condition. If your cat’s litterbox has gone too long without a thorough cleaning, your cat may go searching for more inviting places to eliminate. A cat’s sense of smell is fourteen times that of a human, and your cat doesn’t want to use a smelly litter box any more than you would enjoy using an unclean smelly outhouse.
You should scoop out the litterbox on a daily basis and clean and change the litter every four or five days. Your cat will appreciate the clean box and the problem may be easily solved.
3. How much litter are you using?
Cats vary in their preference of how much litter is in the box. Most like a couple of inches to dig around in, but if your cat is refusing to use her box, there may be too much for her liking. Try putting only a thin layer, and experiment to find out if she has a preference.
4. What kind of litter are you using?
There are almost as many types of litter available these days as there are breeds of cats, and it can be a puzzling endeavour to determine which is best. To maximize your chances of picking the best litter for your cat, do some research to find out what your type of cat usually prefers and ask your veterinarian about it. The best is to find out what the cat was used to before you acquired him or her. If non-clumping isn’t working for you, try clumping. Experiment with various brands, scented and non-scented, and different textures.
5. Is your cat afraid of the box?
If your cat was ever ambushed by someone when using the litter box, she may be afraid to go back. If she is put there as a punishment she may begin to associate it with unpleasant things and refuse to use it. Sometimes one scary experience can make her afraid to ever go near the box again. If something fell or there was a loud noise that startled her when she was using it, it could be enough to deter her. The noise of an appliance suddenly turning on right next to the box causes many cats to fear going into that room again. Simply moving the box to a new location, or in some cases buying a new box, should solve this problem.
6. Where is the box located?
The litter box should be in a place your cat passes on a regular basis. Ideally a litter box should be placed on every floor so your cat has easy access, or at least, should be on the floor where your cat spends most of his or her time. Make sure it is in a quiet, protected area but that there is also an escape route so she can flea if she is startled. If you have a dog, it is better to keep the box in a place he cannot access to give the cat privacy and also because cat excrement is an unfortunate delicacy to most dogs. Cats prefer to have the box kept in the same place, unless they begin to associate it with something unpleasant.
7. How many boxes do you have?
If you only have one cat, one box should be enough. If you have multiple cats, keep one box for each cat.
8. How big is the box?
The box should be longer than the length of your cat so that she has enough room to comfortably sniff, dig and turn in it. A cramped box will be unpleasant and encourage your cat to seek alternative places to eliminate.
If you ever catch your cat eliminating outside of her box, interrupt her with a noise and put her near her litter box. If you have a problem with a cat that is marking or spraying, first make sure he is neutered, then ask your vet for advice.
If your cat is new to your house, she may not be able to find the litterbox. Take her to the box repeatedly; you could keep her restricted to one part of the house until she learns.
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