Litter Box Blues
One of the biggest reasons cats are surrendered to shelters is because they cease using litter boxes in the home. First and foremost, make sure your cat is healthy! For example, cats may stop using their litter box if they have a urinary tract infection or a blockage. These issues will not go away on their own, so make sure to see your vet first to rule out any medical reasons for your cat’s behavior.
If your cat is declawed (front and/or back) by traditional declawing or laser declawing, your cat may be rejecting the litterbox because it is painful. Cats that are declawed are forced to position their weight differently than they naturally should be, and standing on litter puts extra pressure on specifically painful points. Try replacing any kind of traditional litter with potty pads instead. Line the bottom of a litter box with the potty pads so it is more comfortable for them. Many cats that are declawed end up in shelters later on in life because of this very reason, so please do not declaw your cat and do everything possible to try to fix the situation.
If you and your cat simply can’t seem to agree about the importance of using a litter box, try seeing the box from their perspective. Because most cats instinctually like to bury their waste, there is probably something specific about their litter box or their environment they don’t like that is deterring them from doing so. Determining the reason for their behavior is the first step in changing it. Your cat may not be happy with the box itself. How clean is the box? Veterinarians recommend cleaning your cat’s litter box (or boxes) twice a day to ensure it is comfortable for them. It is also important to look at the type of box: is it tall enough and wide enough for your cat? Did you recently add or remove a hood on the litter box?
Location is also very important to your cat. If your cat has an illness or difficulty moving around, be sure to place the box in a location you know they can easily access. Cats generally like their box to be in a secluded area, that is still easy to access. (We all like some privacy, and cats are no different!) Keep the litter box away from noisy appliances as they can make your cat nervous, and heaters, as they can magnify smell (and nobody likes a smelly bathroom). Make sure your cat’s food and water bowls are away from the box for each cat, in different locations throughout the house plus one extra one. But even if you have one cat, keep a litter box on each form of your house for your cat’s convenience.
If all appears to be well with the box otherwise, your cat may be put off by the litter itself in the box. Most cats prefer litters with a finer grain (clumping litters). Once you find a litter your cat likes, try to stick with the same litter all the time.
Your cat could also be avoiding the litter box due to a recent change in their environment. He or she could be marking their territory because they are feeling anxious or unhappy about a different schedule in the household, new people, a baby, or another environmental factor. If something in your household has changed, talk to your vet about ways to calm your cat or introduce him or her to the change. It’s also possible that your cat could be associating their litter box with punishment if you or someone in your household placed your cat in the box after reprimanding him or her.
So, if your cat is not using the litter box and you have changed something about it, change it back. If your cat has been eliminating in the same general spot, try moving a box to that spot. It is also important to thoroughly clean each area your cat has marked or defecated with pet odor eliminating cleaning from your local pet store or with white vinegar (this gets rid of the pee smell). Without eliminating the scent, your cat will be tempted to use that spot again. A little trial-and-error and a lot of patience may be necessary, but eventually, you and your cat can once again have a happy relationship and live in harmony!
(Sources: Humane Society of the United States, Dr. Lisa A. Pierson for CatInfo.org, Dr. Stephanie Janeczko for Petfinder.com, Drs. Foster and Smith for DrsFosterSmith.com)