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Cat Articles

| Not-Using-Litter-Box | Stop-Cats-from-Biting | Cat-Shedding |
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Articles | main | Not-Using-Litter-Box |

Cat's Not Using their Litter Box

This is a fairly common problem for cat owners and it is important to first establish that they do not have a medical condition. Contact your veterinarian and describe in specific detail what your cat is doing. If your cat is not using the litter box because of a behavioral problem, here are some things to try.

Making sure the litter box is clean sounds obvious, but you'de be surprised at what people consider "clean". Make sure you scoop out the clumps at least twice a day. if you are not home to do this, provide a second litter box directly next to the first. Some cats are more picky than others and will not want to use the same litter box if it has already been used once.

Or... consider a self cleaning litterbox if you can afford it. These units cost around $100.00 to over $300.00 but some people swear by them. The ability to leave the litter box alone for up to a month without odor problems is priceless to those who need it. If you do order one online, I would recommend going to a place like PetCo.com where you can easily return the item if your cat doesn't want to use it. Click on the litter box at the bottom of this page for more information.

If keeping the litter box clean and providing two boxes does not solve the problem, consider the area in which the litter box is placed. For example, many times cats don't like their bathroom area next to laundry machines because the noise is uncomfortable for them. Find a place that is private, but not noisy. Closets and bathrooms are often a good spot.

If your cat is consistantly using a place to go to the bathroom, then you may want to put the litter box in the area that the cat prefers. If you are not willing to compromise on this, then make the area less comfortable for the cat to use the bathroom. For example, if your cat is going in a particular dark closet, try leaving the light on and put a noisy electric fan in the area.

Also, think about the type of cat litter your cat is using. Many cats don't like to use scented cat litter even though it smells better to us humans. Try different types of cat litter in different amounts. The process may take a little trial and error but you will usually find something that works for both of you.

Many cats will prefer using a fine grained litter over course grain. If your cat is not using one type then try the other and this might be what does the trick.

Also, it is common for cats to avoid scented litter but it depends on the individual cat. If a cat has gotten used to scented litter and you suddenly change to non-scented, the change could cause them to not use it. If you want to change your type of litter, it is best to gradually add and mix the new litter in with the old. Switching litter types suddenly can be startling and cause them to avoid using it.

Getting your cat to use the litter box is often a process of elimination. You must be willing to try different solutions and be persistent. Above all, be patient with your cat and be willing to make some compromises.

Dr. Chris Suckow describes in further detail how to solve the problem of cats not using their litter box in the e-book, Solutions to Cat Behavior Problems.

He breaks it down into two main categories for behavioral conditions. The First is aversion and the second is preferences. Dr. Suckow explains the importance of knowing the difference between the two and provides further instruction on how to go about dealing with these behavior issues. Visit his website for more information.

Here's a free recipe and method for getting rid of cat urine and odor from your carpet. Visit the how to clean cat urine article, or download the pdf.

WOW... A Self Cleaning Litter Box?!

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