Cat Litter Box Accidents
There is probably nothing more frustrating to a cat owner than cat litter box accidents.
In fact, habitual litter box accidents are the number one reason why cat owners surrender their cats up to animal shelters.
The thing is, when your cat refuses to use the litter box, there is usually an underlying reason.
Before you become overwhelmed, angry or frustrated by your cat’s inability to make it to the litter box, here’s a short list of common causes for this problem and ways to fix them.
Dirty Litter Boxes
Cats are naturally clean animals that’s why they are constantly grooming.
One of the main reasons why a cat may refuse to use their litter box is because their own litter box is dirty.
Many cats are extremely fussy about the condition of their litter box and don’t like stepping in crap or pee, others will use it no matter how full it looks.
If your cat has a litter tray accident, the first place you should check is the litter box.
Is it clean or has it had multiple uses?
Some cats prefer that their litter box cleaned out after each use. For us in a multi cat household, we clean the trays out straightaway especially after they have crapped or if the there is more than a couple of pees in them.
This helps to avoid putting up with an offensive lingering smell and it keeps us and the cats happy.
While this is time consuming for you, it may be a simple fix to the problem.
You should start a daily routine of cleaning out your cat’s litter tray box and you may find that this solves your problem straight away.
Not Enough Litter Boxes For tHe Number Of Cats
Another common problem related to the litter tray accidents 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. In fact, many vets and cat behavioural experts recommend that you should have at least two litter boxes per cat.
Placement of Litter Trays
Cats like to have their own space, and this is especially true when it comes to their litter trays. If possible you may need to experiment and try placing the the tray or box in other areas of your home to workout if that is the problem
Never place them near your cats food or water keep them well separated if you can. Sometimes this is easier said than done if you have limited room but do the best you can.
The Wrong Shape Size & Type of Litter Tray/Box or Litter
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. Also make sure you have a reasonable amount of clean litter in the tray once you have cleaned it
If your cat avoids using a litter tray/box without a lid, maybe your cat would feel more secure in a closed box. This is not usually the case though if the cat has been previously using that tray and then all of a sudden stops using it.
Also keep in mind if you have an older cat, a sick cat or a young kitten, they 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 see they are having a difficult time getting in and out of the litter box or tray they currently have you might need to consider getting something different.
Also, look at the type of litter you use. Your cat may be extremely fussy about the smell or texture of the litter though once again you would have found that out when you first got your cat.
It’s all experimentation, there are a ton of different litters on the market you can try. In our experience we’ve found Breeders Choice Cat Litter Made From Recycled Paper is the best for our cats and we’ve never had a problem.
By carefully observing you might also find out that it has nothing to do with litter or the tray and that it’s something health or behaviour related.
Health Issues
If you have tried all the above tips and nothing seems to be working, then it is time to visit your vet.
Your cat may be refusing to use the litter box, because of health related issues. For example if your cat is experiencing pain from a urination or bowel issue, it could be associate the pain with eliminating in the litter box, this would explain why it’s a eliminating just outside the litter tray or box.
Cats that have bladder problems, urinary tract infections, kidney failure, feline diabetes, arthritis or other health 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 from an ailment.
If this is the case, your vet can prescribe the right medication to help your cats problem.
Stress
Stress can be a major cause for your cat. Big changes in the home, moving house, a new born child, multi cat household, another pet being introduced and many other factors can lead to changes in your cats behaviour.
Pheromone products like Feliway can help your cats to de-stress or you could use calming herbs such as mint, parsley or rosemary to help them to relax. Provide your cat with plenty of environmental enrichment.
Put aside some time for play and mental stimulation.
As a last resort when cat is very stressed, talk to your vet about anti-anxiety medication.
Know The Difference Between Spraying & Cat Litter Box Accidents
Something to note, your cat may not have stopped using the litter box at all but instead, your cat is spraying marking his or her territory.
A cat who sprays and urine marks will regularly eliminate in their litter box, but will also deposit urine in other locations outside of the litter box.
Something in her environment or routine has changed. She’s anxious and is marking her territory to reassure and assert herself or letting other cats know that they own the area.
Psychological stress, such as the presence of other cats in the household or outside a window or door, the presence of a neighbor’s cat or a stray in your yard or around the outside of your home may create a need for a cat to reassert a territorial claim.
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.
The Importance of Immediate & Thorough Cleaning
After an accident even if there is the slightest scent of urine left behind your cat will know, they have an amazing sense of smell and can pick up scent that we think is completely gone.
That smell may encourage them to keep going back to spray the same spot. To thoroughly clean all the areas your cat has marked, use a good enzymatic, bio-based cleaner.
Do not clean up accidents with an ammonia-based cleanser. Urine contains ammonia, and therefore cleaning with ammonia could attract your cat to the same spot to urinate again.
When you determine why your cat is having litter box accidents, you can find a solution.
Avoid Punishing Your Kitty At All Costs
While accidents can happen, punishing your cat won’t solve the problem. It will only reap additional anxiety and could cause your cat to dislike, distrust, or fear you.
If your cat is already stressed, taking out your frustrations on her will only make things worse.
Your cat is not trying to upset or get at you they are simply telling you there is a problem
It takes time, patience and sometimes some experimentation however, this is much more preferable than getting rid of your cat.