There is probably nothing more frustrating to a cat owner
than litter box accidents. In fact, habitual litter box
accidents are the number one reason why cat owners give their
cats up to animal shelters. When your cat refuses to use the
litter box, there is usually an underlying reason. Before you
become exasperated by your cat's inability to make it to the
litter box, here are some common causes for this problem.
Litter Box Woes
One of the main reasons why a cat begins to refuse to use the
litter box is because their own litter box is dirty. Many cats
are extremely fussy about the condition of their litter box,
while others will use it no matter how full it looks. If your
cat has a litter box accident, the first place you should check
is the litter box. Some pets prefer that their litter box
cleaned out after each use. While this is time consuming for
you, it may be a simple fix to this problem. You should start a
daily routine of cleaning out your cat box and you may find that
this solves your problem.
Another common problem related to the litter box is there are
not enough litter boxes for the number of cats you have. For
example, if you have four cats in your home, and you should have
at least one litter box per cat. Cats like to have their own
space, and this is especially true when it comes to their litter
box. In fact, many veterinarians recommend that even if you have
only one cat, you should have at least two litter boxes.
In addition, when it comes to litter box accidents, look at the
type of litter you are using and the size and shape of the
litter box. If you have a tray litter box without a lid, maybe
your cat would feel more secure in a closed box. If you have an
older cat, or a young kitten, you cat may have a difficult time
getting in and out of a closed top box. Watch your cat carefully
when he or she uses the litter box. If you find that, they are
having a difficult time getting in and out of the litter box and
consider getting a different box. Also, look at the type of
litter you use. Your cat may be extremely fussy about the smell
or texture of the litter. Many people preferred using the scoop
away litter; however, many cats will not use this type of
litter, because it sticks in the paws. You may also find that
the litter you use causes a lot of dust that is disagreeable to
your cat.
Health Issues
Your cat may be refusing to use the litter box, because of
health related issues. If you have tried all the above tips and
nothing seems to be working, then it is time to visit your
veterinarian. Cats that have bladder problems, urinary tract
infections, kidney failure and diabetes are more prone to litter
box accidents than healthy cats. You need to take your cat to
the vet and have a thorough health exam performed to find out if
your cat is suffering around an ailment. If this is the case,
your veterinarian can prescribe medication to help your cat.
Habit and Your Cat’s Territory
If your cat has been ill or have stopped using the litter box
for any of reason, you may find that your cat returns to their
old ways out of habit. It is extremely important that when your
cat has a litter box accident, that you clean the area
thoroughly to get rid of any odors that may remain. In addition,
your cat may have not stopped using the litter box at all but
instead, your cat is marking his or her territory. This is
especially common in multi-cat households or when you bring in
new pet into the home. This is also more common in males than
females. Even male cats that are neutered can mark their
territory by spraying urine.