Litter Box Woes
As we all know, cats are neat and clean and they use the litter box at all times.
Right!!!!!!
For those of us who know better, a cat will go outside their litter boxes on the flimsiest of excuses like: "you used the wrong litter!" So here are some of the reasons that cats reject the litter box.
Medical Reasons
Bladder infection
When a cat has a bladder infection, urination becomes both painful and uncontrolable. Not only will the cat associate going to the litter box with pain but also the cat will not be able to control it's bladder.
The symptoms are painful urination and fever. Cats will decrease their activity and "act sick".
The vet will prescribe anitbiotics fot the infection.
Blockage of the uretha
More common in older male cats, crystals can form in the cat's urine and eventually block the uretha, the passage way from the bladder to the outside.
Symptoms are straining to urinate and the inability to urinate.
Both prevention and cure consists of feeding the cat high quality cat food with low ash content. Look for foods that are specifically labeled low in ash content and for urinary tract health.
A vet may have to palpatate the cat's penis to remove a large blockage. Do not try this at home! (as if you wanted to anyway!)
Constipation and Diarrarhea
Hope you aren't eating anything while you read this.
These common bowel problems will cause cats to either loose control or avoid the litter box entirely. We all know what the symptoms are so I'll skip over it.
The cure depends on what is causing the problem. Sometimes it's the food. Some cats react badly to changes in their diet. If there is no obvious cause, you may have to get a diagnoses from the vet.
The Bathroom Enviroment
Location, location, location
Do you want privacy while you go to the bathroom?
Of course you do. Check out the location of the litterbox. Is it a high traffic area? Cats feel particularly vulnerable while they use the facilities, and they are easily disturbed. Just place the box in an out of the way place where people are unlikely to disturb your cat during his vulnerable moments.
Do you eat in the bathroom?
Cats will not use the litter box if it is too close to the food dish. There should be at least five feet of space between the food and the litterbox.
Covered or Uncovered?
Most cats prefer covered litter boxes to preserve privacy. But there is always an oddball in the bunch. Zari prefers the uncovered litter box so she can not be trapped by another cat. She developped this preference after a kitten repeatedly trapped her in the covered litter box.
If your cat is the nervous type who values an escape route over everything else, by all means get that uncovered litter box.
The Litter
Considering the brands of litter available, you have a variety to choose from. I find that cats prefer finer litter over coarse little rocks. And scoopable litter doesn't harm them at all. Mandy is seven years old and she has been going in scoopable litter all of her life.
Be consistant with the litter. A sudden change of litter will cause many cats to abandon the box. If you must change Brand X to Brand Y, just add Brand Y to the box in gradually increasing amounts until Brand X is replaced. If Brand X is discontinued, make sure that Brand Y is the same texture as Brand X.
How many litter boxes?
One for each cat is ideal. But some people have two or three litter boxes for one cat. If your cat is old and has mobility problems, a box on each floor of your home can prevent "accidents" caused by the cat's inability to reach the litter box in time.
Security
Never, never, never, disturb a cat in the litter box. Don't even watch it unless you have reason to believe that the cat has a medical problem.
I know when you have a cat who hides from medication or baths, it's tempting to grab them from the litter box. But if you do then the cat will learn to go under the couch; right before company comes over.
Marking Terratory
Males
Unneutered males will mark terratory by urinating on vertical surfaces like walls, table legs, couch arms, et. Unlike dogs who raise their legs, cats will shoot their urine backwards. Cats who are neutered before puberty will not (in most cases) display this behavior. However once the cat starts, neutering may not stop it. But it will decrease the smell caused by sex hormones manufactured in the cat's testicles.
Females
Unspayed females in heat will leave urine deposits in order to attract a mate. Sort of like a little trail.
Both Sexes
Often a cat will mark a new house because this is its way of making itself at home. Don't get excited, just clean the spots.
As the cat marks in other ways with its chin and forehead, it should be aquainted with the house enough to stop urinating.
If Your Cat Makes Messes
Cleaning
Clean messes with an organic odor eating cleaner. They can be found at pet supply stores.
Do not use ammonia to clean messes because that smells like cat urine and encourages the cat to use the same spot.
Protect the cleaned spot with an overturned chair until it dries.
Discouraging the Cat from Reusing the Same Spot
If your cat uses the same spot over and over despite cleaning, you might try these tricks:
Putting tin (or aluminum) foil over the spot. Cats hate to step on foil.
Placing the food dish over the spot. Remember what I said about the litter box being to close to the food dish?
Using a substance that is repulsive to cats to treat the spot.
Putting something solid and immovable (by the cat) over the spot.
I hope this was useful to you and your cat. Check out some of my other pages about cats.
If you liked this java, I found it at
The Omega Factor
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