LITTER BOX TIPS

Litter box avoidance and inappropriate elimination are the most frequent and irritating disagreements humans have with their kitties. Inappropriate urination and defecation may mean that the litter box facilities are sub par, that there's a medical problem or, in the case of marking behavior, that your cat is trying to signal something.

Punishing your cat for inappropriate elimination will not solve the problem. It will only teach her to fear and avoid you, and eliminate when you're not around. In fact, it can actually make the problem worse, since inappropriate elimination is often caused by stress, and punishment will only add to her stress level. When your cat eliminates outside the box, you should first schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Urinary tract and colon disorders can cause inappropriate elimination. Frequent voiding, straining or blood in the urine may be a sign of illness. If your cat shows of these signs, schedule an appointment immediately. Both males and females are at risk, but males are more likely to develop life-threatening blockages. If your cat strains to urinate and produces only a tiny amount of urine, rush him to the veterinarian. This is a life-threatening emergency. Once your veterinarian rules out a physical problem, you can start to unravel the problem by looking at what's going on in your cat's life. Recognizing the reasons for litter box avoidance and addressing the cause will help you find a solution to the problem. With understanding, patience, and persistence, most problems can be overcome.

Dirty Litter Box

A common reason for litter box avoidance is the cat's natural cleanliness. If you think the box smells bad, just imagine how it smells to your cat, since she has 200 million odor-sensitive cells in her nose compared to your 5 million. If she is turning up her nose at the box and eliminating elsewhere, it could be that it's not clean enough. In the wild, there's a good reason for such fastidiousness. Predators locate prey by scent. This is one good reason why cats are so careful about covering their waste – to keep bigger predators from locating them. A dirty litter box can make your cat feel vulnerable. Clean the box often. Scoop out the soiled litter and solid wastes once or twice a day, and change the litter and scrub the box with warm, soapy water weekly if you are using regular clay litter. Don't use harsh cleaners, such as bleach, to clean the box; they may offend your cat's delicate sense of smell further and add to the problem. Some cats are simply fussier than others, so a weekly scrubbing might not be enough. If so, you might try a clumping litter. With clumping litters, the litter needs changing less frequently, and still remains relatively odor free. By scooping out the clumps and solid wastes once or twice a day, you can make all but the most sensitive cats happy. Ultimately, you and your cat(s) will have to reach an agreement on the cleaning frequency.

Placement

Location is also vital. If your cat doesn't like the litter box's location, she may not use it. For example, if you place the litter box too close to her food and water dishes, she may avoid the box since cats don't like to eat and eliminate in the same area. If the box isn't easily accessible – for example, down in the basement or up on the top floor – she may not be able to get there in time, or may think it's too much trouble. A basic rule is to provide a litter box on each floor. If she has to brave some stressor to get to the box, such as a noisy water heater, the washer and dryer, or a dominant cat's territory, she may look for a safer place to eliminate. Cats like quiet, safe, private places to do what they have to do. Follow your cat and observe what's going on. 

Litter Changes

If a change in litter box behavior occurs after you've switched the type or brand of litter, try changing back. Your cat may not like the new litter. Cats are individuals and what appeals to one cat may not appeal to another. Some are highly perfumed to mask odors from human noses, but perfumes are offensive to some cats; other litters just don't have the right feel. Cats evolved from desert animals and a litter with the texture of sand is usually well accepted. Experiment with several types of litter to see what your cat likes best. Buy a small box or bag of each – test clumping and non-clumping clay, recycled paper, wood byproducts, plant-based material – the varieties are practically endless. Fill several boxes with different kinds, and see which one your cat prefers. With all these choices you are bound to find one that suits. Choosing a litter should be a team effort. If you find yourself needing to switch litters, try changing the litter gradually. Slowly add more of the new litter into the old to increase the chances of your cat accepting the switch.

Box Issues

The size, shape, and depth of the litter box can also affect your cat’s behavior. Hooded litter boxes are popular with some cats, but some cats may feel trapped when using such a box – a particular problem in multi-cat households with dominance disputes. Large cats may find the opening to a covered box too small, or may not have enough room to maneuver inside such a box, and longhaired cats may have trouble keeping their fur clean. Older cats, or cats with health problems, such as arthritis, may have trouble stepping into boxes with high sides, or into boxes with smaller openings. If cats have any health problem that makes movement difficult, provide a sturdy ramp in front of the box, and a step down inside, if needed. Some cats dislike litter box liners. Remove the liner if you notice your cat pulling it up or leaving claw marks in the plastic. Providing several boxes of different sizes and types may help resolve the litter box problem.

Territorial Disputes

If you have more than one cat, disputes can arise over litter box usage. Cats are territorial by nature. Their societies are sometimes structured in a hierarchical manner, governed by strict rules of conduct. In multicat households, the dominant cat will sometimes leave her feces uncovered to announce her presence and status. Uncovered feces mean that the territory is taken. Other cats may feel they're encroaching on a dominant cat's territory, and be reluctant to use that box. Some cats don't like sharing a litter box with other cats. The solution is to provide a litter box and a private location for each cat. As a rule, you should have one litter box for every cat in the household. Also, consider keeping an extra box in another location to circumvent disputes or clashes. If a cat doesn't want to approach the main box area while another cat is there, she can detour to the other box to do her business.

Overcrowding

Overcrowding – having too many cats for the space you have available – can create considerable stress. Many territorial-type behavior problems arise from overcrowding, including house soiling. For cats to feel secure, they must have an area to call their own, to which they can retreat when threatened. Provide ample space and facilities for each of your cats. You can provide extra cat territories by adding cat trees or condos, kitty hideouts, window perches, screened patios, and so on. You don't have to spend a fortune – cut holes in several cardboard boxes, turn them upside down, and place them strategically. Make sure each cat is given enough love and attention, too. 8. Spraying This marking behavior is not connected to other litter box problems, because the reason for the behavior is completely different. Unaltered male and female cats spray urine to mark their territory. While more common in males, both genders can spray. Spraying has sexual and dominance-type connotations; the behavior being most prevalent in intact cats with a full complement of sex hormones. This is why spaying and neutering usually ends the behavior. Litter Box

Do’s and Don’ts:

Don't perform disliked procedures, such as nail clipping or administering medications, near the litter box. Your cat may associate these activities with the litter box and avoid it.

Don't try to catch your cat to perform disliked procedures (such as those listed above) while he's using the litter box.

Don't punish or rub the cat's nose in urine or feces if he eliminates outside the box.

Don't use harsh disinfectants or cleaners to clean the litter box.

Do check with your veterinarian to rule out possible medical contributions.

Do clean the box daily.

Do make sure your cat has a quiet, private, stress-free litter box location.

Do praise and reward your cat when he uses the box correctly.