Love That Litter!
How To Persuade Your Cat To Use Her Litter Box
Cats don't stop using their litter boxes out of anger or spite. There's always a reason. And in the cat's eyes, it's a good reason. If your cat has stopped using her box, she should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. Even the slightest urinary tract infection can make a cat uncomfortable enough to avoid her box. And some chronic illnesses can cause a cat to urinate so
frequently she can't always get to her box in time. Assuming your cat is in good health, keep reading to find out how to get her (or him) to love that litter.
Location, Location!
---The location of the litter box should be convenient for the cat. Many cats consider the basement inconvenient! Ideally, there should be a litter box on every level of your home.
---Choose a dog- and child-free area. Your cat will be less likely to use her box if she has to dodge dogs or toddlers to get to it.
---Your cat will be happiest if her box is in a quiet, private location away from noisy appliances like the furnace and washer and dryer. BUT...
---She should be able to see an escape route while she's in her box. If she feels trapped or vulnerable to other pets, she'll find a "safer" place.
---Her food dishes and litter box should be in different rooms. Cats like separate toileting and eating areas.
---If you change the location of the litter, experiment with a second box. Leave the old box in its original place until you're sure the cat approves of the new location.
The Perfect Potty
Most cats hate getting their feet dirty. So make sure the litter is clean. Scoop daily. And change clay litter as soon as it's damp. Once a week isn't often enough! BUT...
---Don't be overzealous. Scooping the box the moment the cat uses it may upset her because you're removing her scent.
---Rinse the box thoroughly when you disinfect it. The smell of disinfectant may mask the cat's own scent, discouraging her from using the box. Using very hot water with no disinfectant is best.
---Provide enough boxes. The rule of thumb is one for every two cats. BUT...
---Many cats like to urinate in one box and defecate in another. So even if you have just one cat, it's a good idea to have two boxes side-by-side.
---Avoid hooded litter boxes. Many cats feel trapped in hooded boxes. And the hood can trap unpleasant odors inside, discouraging the cat from using the box.
---Don't use plastic litter box liners. The cat's claws can get caught in the plastic, inhibiting her desire to dig in the litter.
---Make the box easy for the cat to use. For instance, an elderly or overweight cat may do better with a plastic storage box with low sides.
Love That Litter
Cats are creatures of habit. If you introduce a new kind of litter, experiment with a second box.
--- Most cats prefer litter that feels like the soil they would use outside. So think about how the litter feels
Not Here, Kitty
How can you convince your cat to stop using her favorite spots on the floor or furniture? First, clean the areas she's been using with white vinegar or a product specially formulated for pet clean-ups. If the area smells like her litter box, she'll continue using it as a litter box and won't understand why you think she's doing something wrong.
--- Be willing to compromise. If your cat's determined to use the carpeting, a throw rug, or the bare floor, compromise and put her choice of filler in her box. Give her carpet scraps, a towel or torn up throw rugs or T-shirts. Some cats appreciate shredded newspaper or potting soil. And many prefer an empty box.
--- Also compromise on the location of the box. Put it in the spot she prefers (even if it's the livingroom!) As she gets into the habit of using the box again, you can gradually move it to an area that's acceptable to both of you.
--- Try Feliway. The friendly (cheek hormone) scent discourages urine marking. Catnip, too, is a friendly scent that can discourage spraying. Rub it on your cat's favorite spots.
--- Cover the area she soils with something that feels uncomfortable underfoot. Some suggestions: vinyl carpet runner or vinyl floor protectors, bumpy side up. Spray the area with a citrus scent or lavender. Most cats hate the smell of citrus and lavender.
--- Put dishes of dry food in the cat's favorite spots. Remember, cats like separate living and toileting areas.
--- Rub a cloth between your cat's eyes and ears. Then rub the cloth on the problem areas. The smell of her own scent may reassure her enough to stop using that place instead of her box.
--- If your cat is spraying, cover the vertical area with shelf paper, sticky side down, or plastic. The urine will bounce off the shelf paper or plastic and hit the cat. Do NOT put plastic on the floor. Some cats like to urinate on it.
--- If all else fails, confine your cat to a room until she relearns her good litter box habits. Spend time with her - don't abandon her in there. As a last resort, ask your vet about medication to relieve her stress while you're working on behavior modification and removing the cause of her anxiety.
Stress Relief For Cats
Stress is often the cause of litter box problems. Instead of medication, try these kitty "tranquillizers."
--- Find and remove the source of her anxiety. If she's an indoor cat, be relentless in chasing away visiting outdoor cats. Keep the dog away from her litter box area. Don't allow the children to tease the cat...
--- Resolve space issues in multicat families. Cats like to arrange themselves vertically, so provide lots of perches and high places. Cats also appreciate baskets, boxes and hidey holes where they can carve out a bit of turf that is theirs alone.
--- Play! Interactive toys are great stress relievers.
--- Try Bach Flower Essences. They can restore your cat's emotional balance and sense of well-being. And that can help resolve the litter box problems. Learn about flower essences online, or read the book "Emotional Healing for Cats" by Stefan Ball and Judy Howard.
--- Give your indoor cat access to the outdoors. Some outdoor time is also a great stress reliever. And it lets the cat mark her territory on the bushes instead of the rugs. Consider building an outdoor enclosure or putting a containment system on top of your fence. Even going out on a harness and leash will let your cat mark her territory and enjoy some sunshine and a breath of fresh air
underfoot. Clumping litter comes closest to that outdoors feeling. If you're concerned about the sodium bentonite in regular clumping litter, try a product made from ground wheat or corn. If you use regular clumping litter, choose a brand that makes very hard clumps so the box stays dry.
--- Think "outdoors" when you're filling the box. In your garden, the cat wouldn't sink up to her knees in soil. But there would be enough soil to cover the spot she had just used.
