Solving Litter Box Issues Written by
Glenda Moore Kitty
not using the litter box is possibly the most common complaint of all
cat
owners, and probably the one sure way a cat complains about a
problem.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution: a cat may be avoiding the
litterbox
due to a medical ailment, a sanitation problem, wrong litter or
litter box,
inappropriate location of the litter box, or emotional stress.
This
single page cannot guarantee that you can resolve the situation, but
hopefully
the hints on this page will be of some help to you.
To resolve the problem, you need to:
Figure Out Why He is Avoiding the Litter box Medical
Reasons Sometimes if a cat hurts when using the litterbox, he will associate the litterbox with the pain and will avoid it, even after the medical problem has been resolved. If your cat is male, unneutered, and spraying, this is not a litter box avoidance problem - your cat is marking his territory. He will back up to a wall, raise his tail, then spray urine on the surface. In the vast majority of cases, neutering the cat will stop the problem. Sanitary
Reasons Litter/Litter box
Reasons Some cats don't like covered litter boxes; others prefer them. Your cat may have an aversion to the scent or the amount of dust generated by scratching. You may have cleaned the litterbox with a strong-smelling cleaner that is irritating his nose. Location
Reasons Too,
a cat needs to know that he can "escape" - if the litter box is in a
location
where he can't see other family members approaching (particularly if
those
members are likely to swat him as he is in or leaving the litter box),
he
will probably avoid it. Emotional
Reasons
Reduce the Cat's Stress / Eliminate Medical Problems Eliminate
any Medical Problems Reduce
or Eliminate the Stress Cats like things to be done the same way and at the same time. Establish a daily routine if at all possible, so the cat knows when you'll be home, when his litter box will be changed, when playtime is, and when bedtime is. Introduce new animals and people slowly - don't just toss a new cat in the door and presume things will go smoothly. Some animals need to spend a day or a week somewhat isolated to get used to the smells and sounds and activity going on elsewhere. Some products are available to help your cat deal with stress: Feliway or flower essences. We've had very good success with a new plug-in called Comfort Zone from the makers of Feliway. Make the Litter box Desirable If your cat has associated the litter box with fear or pain, getting a completely different litter box, changing the type of litter used, and/or moving the litter box to a new location may remove the association for the cat. Look at the location from your cat's viewpoint, and make sure the box is in a place where he will feel safe and comfortable. Consider putting the litter box in the bathroom, a mud or laundry room, or in the basement. If it must be in a location where there is traffic, consider placing some potted plants in front of it for concealment. If you have a covered litterbox, experiment with removing the lid and see how the cat responds. Switch to an unscented, low-dust litter. Get a new litter box, and clean it only with soap and water, not Lysol or PineSol, etc. Make sure the litterbox is cleaned out to your cat's own personal comfort level. Before bringing kitty home, try to find out what he type of litter he is used to using and make sure that is available to him. You may be able to gradually change the litter to a different type if you want, over a period of time. Place the (new) litter box near the inappropriate location. Give the cat a few days to a week to get used to any new location. Don't move the litter box more than a couple of feet at a time. Make the Inappropriate Locations Undesirable for Eliminating Clean the area thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner such as Nature's Miracle or Simple Solution. Remember that your cat's nose is much better than yours, so you must make sure he can't smell any urine or waste. Don't use ammonia to clean the areas. If the cat has been eliminating or urinating on the floor, cover the area with aluminum foil and tape it down, or use a strip of plastic carpet protector, the kind with little plastic teeth to hold it in place. Because these feel differently than the original flooring, the cat usually will not venture onto it. If this doesn't work, you can try turning the carpet protector upside down. Then follow the instructions above about locating the litterbox nearby. If he has been eliminating or urinating on your bed or sofa, make these "play" or "petting" areas. You may (or may not) find it necessary to place a litter box near the bed or sofa. If
the cat has been scratching and eliminating in a potted plant, replace
the dirt, since it will still smell like a used litterbox to the
cat.
Then go to your nearby craft store and buy some plastic needlepoint
canvas.
Cut it to size, leaving an opening for the plant's stem, and place it
on
top of the dirt. You can also put a lemon-scented air freshener
near
the base of the plant. See related articles: Choosing the Litter Box, Choosing the Litter Box Filler and How to Build a Cats' Bathroom |
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