Cat not using litter box?find the solution here

Cat not using litter box!

Acat that soils indoors may be indicative of a medical problem:

Cystitis (bladder infection), diabetes, a kidney problem, diarrhea or aparasitic infestation (intestinal worms).

Takeyour cat to the veterinarian to exclude any medical condition orillness.

The vet will conduct a number of tests and on confirmation ofdiagnosis administer the correct treatment to alleviate the problem.

It"s important to exclude any health-related problems before you canexplore other reasons why your cat is not using the litter box.

Inthe case of an adult cat, the cat litter box may be too small orperhaps not deep enough.

Purchasea larger and deeper cat litter box.

It should be deep enough to takesufficient cat litter to allow your cat to dig a hole and bury its wasteand at the same time deep enough to prevent spillage when kitty digsthe hole.

It should be large enough to allow your to turn around in thelitter tray or box.

Cat not using litter box!

Kittensmay be daunted by a litter box that is too large or too deep andconsequently too scared to use the litter tray.

Purchasea smaller cat litter tray and one that is not too deep - kittens prefera shallower litter box.

Cat not using litter box!

Proximity of litter box to the cat"s food or bed.

Catsare very clean creatures.

They detest doing their toilet business neartheir food or the area where they sleep.

You will need to move thelitter box to a different spot away from their food and sleeping area.

Cat not using litter box!

Litterbox is located in a high traffic area of the home.

Catsare shy and really don"t like to be watched when going to their litterbox.

Move the litter box to a low traffic and private location.

Give thecat privacy and an area where they feel less vulnerable.

Cat not using litter box!

Change in the type of cat litter.

The cat litter may be too rough on the cat"s paw pads and may becausing them discomfort.

Scented cat litter may cause allergies whichwill result in the cat sneezing.

Dusty litters also affect theirrespiratory passages.

Ifyou have recently switched to a new brand, then revert to the originalkitty litter that your cat was happy with.

If your original brand is nolonger available, find a brand that is dust-free, scent-free and onewith a softer texture that is kind to your cat"s paws.

Visit our cat litter review for options.

Thecat litter may be dirty, wet or tainted by the disinfectant used toclean the litter tray.

A neglected cat litter box (one that has not hadthe urine and stools removed) will result in the cat going elsewhere.

Cats have a sensitive sense of smell and are put off by harsh odors anddirty litter trays.

Useclumping, unscented litter and scoop waste out of the litter box atleast twice a day.

Change the entire litter box weekly and wash thelitter box with hot, non-fragranced, soapy water.

Dry the tray beforeadding the cat litter.

NB: Kittens should never use clumping litter.

Cat not using litter box!

Catsare territorial and do not like to share their litter box.

Givecats access to multiple litter boxes and keep the litter boxes cleanat all times.

In multi cat households, you do need a couple of litterboxes placed strategically throughout your home. Place the litter box inan area where stray cats do not have access to the tray.

Thecat may not have had access to the litter box as a result of a doorbeing inadvertently closed, thereby limiting access. This willcertainly result in the cat not using litter box.

Makesure that your cat knows where the litter box is.

You should preferablynot change the location of the litter box unless absolutely necessary.

Advise your family about the location of the litter box and ensure thatthe door or window to that area is always open so that your cat has freeaccess to his/her toilet.

Ahooded or covered litter box may not be to your cats liking.

This maybe due to a phobia of enclosed spaces or simply a case of the coveredbox being too small for the cat to turn around in to cover its waste.

Removethe hood and if this is not possible, provide your cat with a new,un-covered litter box.

Stress.The cat may be stressed as a result of a new addition to the family,moving home or a dominant cat in the household.

Spendmore time with the cat and shower them with love and affection.

Introductions to new family members or other pets needs to be doneslowly and gently and always respect the "space" of the resident cat.

Inthe case of moving home, you may have to confine your cat to a roomwith it"s food, water bowls, scratching posts, bed and litter tray for acouple of weeks until the cat settles in and becomes familiar with its new surroundings.