Cat Not Using Litter Box: Finding Out Why and Resolving the Problem

One of the most frustrating problems with cats is when a cat won't use the litter box. Because of the strong smell of cat urine, once a cat stops using the litter box, your whole house can start smelling like a litter box in no time at all. Tragically, inappropriate elimination is one of the main reasons why cat owners take their cats to the pound. If your cat suddenly stops using the litter box, there is usually a reason for it. Consequently, it is important to get a handle on the problem as soon as possible.

First and foremost, if your cat has been using the litter box and suddenly stops, a trip to the vet should be the starting place. Urinating outside the litter box can be caused by a serious medical problem like a urinary tract infection or diabetes. Some of these medical problems can be life-threatening, and immediate action is required. If you notice blood in your cat's urine or them straining to go, don't hesitate to set up an appointment.

After you've ascertained you cat is healthy, it's time to start searching for other reasons they aren't using the litter box. The reasons can include:

• Location - Where is your litter box? The litter box should be in an area where it's easily accessible, yet the cat has privacy. Avoid placing the litter box near a noisy appliance, a high traffic area, or nearby where they eat, sleep, or play. . If you have a multi-level house, a litter box should be on each level.
• Type of litter - Research has shown cats prefer a fine-textured litter. Although people may prefer scented kitty litters, some cats do not like it. Rather than using scented litter, try placing a thin layer of backing soda on the bottom of the litter pan. If you decide to use a new litter, try mixing it with the old litter until they become accustomed to it. Once you find a litter your cat likes, don't change.
• Spraying - Rather than eliminating, your cat could be spraying. Spraying is a territorial issue. When cats urinate, they elimate on a horizontal surface. Unlike urinating, when a cat sprays, they will turn their backsides against a vertical surface like a piece of furniture, twitch their tail, and spray.
• Stress - When a cat moves to a new home or a new pet is added, this can cause stress and inappropriate elimination.
• Multi-cat home - If you have more than one cat, you should have one litter box per cat plus one extra litter box.
• Covered litterbox - While some cats may prefer covered litterboxes because they're more private, they can create problems too. If it's not big enough for your cat to turn around in, they won't want to use it. Furthermore, since it's covered and it traps more odors, you may have a tendency not to clean it as often.
• Cleaning frequency - Cats do not like to use dirty litter boxes. It should be scooped once a day, and the litter should be changed at least twice a week. On the other hand, clumping litter may only need to be changed every two to three weeks. In addition, the litter box should be thoroughly cleaned with a mild dish detergent every time the litter is changed. Do not use ammonia or citrus based products as your cat may not like these scents.
• Depth of litter - When replacing the litter, some cat owners use too much litter. The depth of the litter shouldn't be any more than one to two inches.
• Declawing - .If you haven't declawed your cat yet, do not do it. Unlike humans, cats walk on their toes. A cat's claw is not a fingernail. It is actually part of the last bone on the paw. Accordingly, declawing a cat is akin to amputation in a human. It would be similar to amputating a human's fingers at the last joint. After declawing, their paws can be so painful, it can hurt to use the litter box. Consequently, they may associate the litter box with pain and refuse to use it. According to one source, 15.4% of declawed cats will not use the litter box after they have been declawed.

Once your cat has eliminated in an inappropriate area, the scent of urine will attract them to the same spot again and again. First, it's very important to clean the area in the right way. Cat urine smells strong because it has ammonia and protiens in it designed to mark their territory. When you try to clean it up, wetness actually reactivates the odor, Consequently, you need to use an enzymatic cat urine cleaner which breaks down the protiens, neutralizes the ammonia, and deters cats from using the same spot again. However, since the cat urine can soak all the way through to the padding or floorboards, it is important to soak up as much urine as you can with an absorbent material first. By placing some kind of weight on the absorbent material, it will help soak up even more urine. If you smell cat urine, but you're unsure where it's coming from, a black light can help you detect spots they've eliminated at.

After you've cleaned the area, try to prevent your cat from the using the same area again. You can try to accomplish this by getting them to associate the spot with another activity or trying to deter them from using the same spot. Since cats don't like to eliminate where they eat and drink, you can place a food/water bowl over the spot. Secondly, you can cover up the spot with a litter box. Third, you can cover up the area with a material that is not conducive for elimination. One example would be tin foil or a plastic runner turned upside down with knobby projections. Cats do like the feel of either.

By following these suggestions, hopefully you can eliminate the problem, and you and your feline friend can enjoy a long, healthy relationship. If you have any suggestions that have worked for you, please share it with others.