Your cat refuses to use the litter box: causes and home solutions.

 Is the litter box not being used by your cat? 

There are several reasons why cats stop using litter boxes, such as issues with the box or litter, discontent with the location or quantity of boxes, changes in the environment both inside and outside the home (like a new pet), and unidentified medical conditions. Before you figure out what your cat is trying to tell you, you might need to look into a few different options, but most issues are simple to resolve so your cat will use the litter box once more.

Remember that cats do not intentionally annoy you by urinating outside of their litter box. The behavior won't be stopped or corrected by punishment. Since stress is a major factor in the majority of litter box avoidance cases, punishing your cat will only make the situation worse and make it more difficult to determine the true cause.

Eliminating health issues in cats:

Taking your cat to the veterinarian for a comprehensive physical examination is the first step. Before considering other possible causes, you should rule out a number of medical conditions that can cause a cat to not use the litter box. The good news is that the majority of medical conditions that cause a cat to abruptly stop using the litter box can be easily and affordably treated. Blood in the urine, excessive licking of the genital area, and straining to urinate are some indicators that your cat may require an immediate veterinary visit.

Issues with litter boxes and declared cats:

Cats that have had their front claws amputated frequently exhibit litter boxes and other behavioral problems. Because their paws are still sensitive or painful after the procedure, cats who have had their front claws removed may grow to dislike the litter box. Instead of scratching in their litter, they may start urinating around the house.

Look for items like soft paper litter like Yesterday's News or aspen or pine wood shavings, which are frequently used for mice or guinea pigs, if your cat has already been declawed. Another option is to try shredded paper.

The reasons behind cats' abandonment of the litter box:

After you've ruled out any medical issues that might have caused your cat to stop using the litter box, focus on the litter box itself. This is usually the offender.

The following are some typical causes of a cat urinating outside the litter box:

• Litter boxes are insufficient.
• The kind of litter doesn't appeal to the cat.
• The type of litter box is disliked by the cat.
• The location of the box bothers the cat.
• The litter box is not tidy.

 
    Let's examine these explanations in more detail.

The quantity of litter boxes:

Each cat in the home should have one litter box, plus an additional one if you have a large number of cats. Adding more than one box per cat can occasionally be helpful because some cats prefer to urinate in one box and defecate in another. When you have multiple boxes, they shouldn't be placed next to one another. One box for each cat should be placed on each floor of multilevel homes.

Preferences for litter:

The issue may arise if you have recently switched brands or types of litter. When it comes to litter, many cats have particular preferences. Due to their sensitive noses, cats dislike the smells of chemicals and perfumes. According to studies, most cats prefer unscented clumping litter, which has the consistency of fine sand. To give your cat a choice, it's best to buy a variety of materials and present them side by side. You could try wood pellets, sawdust, clay litters, shredded paper, sand, or even dirt. If switching to a different kind of litter is necessary, do it gradually by adding a little bit more of the new product each time until your cat gets used to it.

Some cats develop an aversion to a litter after many years, even if the brand or type hasn't changed. Consider adding a second box filled with a different kind of litter. To help guide the cat to the litter, certain brands even include unique natural and herbal attractants.

Where the litter box is located:

Don't abruptly move the litter box because cats are habitual creatures. If you must relocate a box from a predetermined spot, do so gradually in severe circumstances, only a few inches per day—to allow your cat time to get used to it.

Place the boxes away from your cat's food and water stations and in peaceful areas that provide some privacy. Steer clear of busy areas and noisy places, such as laundry rooms. To keep people—especially small ones—and other animals out of the litter box area, you may need to use pet doors or baby gates.

Litter boxes should not be put in tight spaces like between the bathtub and toilet or in the corner of a closet. Your cat may believe that there is no way out of such a precarious situation. Try putting boxes in various places. The cat will use the box where it feels most secure.

Cleanliness:

To encourage cats to use the litter boxes, you should keep them as clean as possible because they are very picky. It's crucial to scoop frequently, especially in a home with several cats, because some cats will only use a box once before it needs to be cleaned.

At least once a week, and more frequently if the boxes are particularly well-liked, clean them with a mild, fragrance-free soap. When necessary, soak your boxes in diluted vinegar water to get rid of the odor rather than using bleach or ammonia-based products.

Additionally, you might want to buy a new litter box because old ones get scratched and have an unpleasant odor that cannot be eliminated. If you decide to try a new box and litter, you may want to relocate it while keeping the old one in place. Make sure your cat is aware of its availability. As needed, spend some time cleaning both boxes. Eventually, clean the box you want to maintain more frequently and the one you are eliminating less, and then discard the old box.

How to encourage your cat to use the litter box once more:

If your cat has abruptly stopped using the litter box, there are a few things you can do to encourage them to do so again. First, place one or more attractive and easily accessible litter boxes.

In order to prevent your cat from being tempted to use the same spot again, make sure to thoroughly clean any soiled areas outside the box using an enzymatic cleaner. Frequent cleaners may cover up the smell so we can't detect it, but your cat will still be able to detect it and may decide to keep using that space as a restroom. Natural organisms found in enzymatic cleaners break down the bacteria that cause stains and odors, rendering them odorless even for pets.

Next, either put something that acts as a deterrent there or block off the area where your cat is urinating outside the box. For instance, close the door to the room where the cat is inappropriately urinating. Try setting a bowl with some of your cats' favorite treats on the area (after it has been cleaned) because cats typically won't urinate where there is food.

Additionally, you can cover the inappropriate elimination areas with plastic wrap, double-sided sticky tape, or aluminum foil to make them as undesirable as possible. Large areas can be effectively covered with plastic carpet runners positioned "teeth" side up. Make sure you thoroughly cover the area. Cover the area with something at least four to six feet wide if it is only a foot or two wide. After a few weeks of success, gradually work your way up to the trouble spots and begin removing the covering in areas the cat is not bothering.

Installing an outdoor cattery—a location where your cat might prefer to urinate—is an additional choice to think about. You are only constrained by your creativity because catteries can be any size or shape. They can be small covered enclosures the size of a litter box, or they can be large open enclosures with shelves and cubbies where cats can unwind and play (and you can unwind and play with them). Make sure you continue to consider cleaning, location, and litter box preferences.

Lastly, it may be worthwhile to discuss the use of behavior-modifying drugs and/or neutraceuticals with your veterinarian in certain situations. These medications can lessen your cat's stress levels and be useful when teaching them to relieve themselves in the litter box.

 

Resources about the behavior of cats:

The behavior of cats can be very complicated. The following books can be very useful if you want to learn more:

• Starting from Scratch: How to Correct Behavior Problems in Your Adult Cat by Pam Johnson-Bennett.
• Your Outta Control Cat by Christine Church.