Preventing Litter Box Issues in Cats

Compared to dogs, cats can be quite low maintenance, especially when it comes to them needing to go to the bathroom. You don’t need to take them for walks because they naturally want to use the litter box inside. However, things can become frustrating for cat owners when their animal avoids using the litter box and decides to eliminate somewhere else instead. Not only is their odor particularly strong, it can cause damage to your property. Understanding the reasons why your cat isn’t using the litter box properly can help you manage the situation and bring back a clean, odor-free, and happy home for you and your pet.

Why Do Cats Stop Using the Litter Box?

Before addressing the litter box issue, it is important to understand why your cat is avoiding it. Some of the potential causes for this behavior are listed below.

1. Medical Issues: Infections, kidney problems, and other health issues can lead to inappropriate elimination

2. Preference: Cats can be sensitive about the style, size, location, and cleanliness of their litter box. They can also be sensitive about the type of litter used.

3. Stress and Anxiety: Changes in the household, such as the addition of new pets or people, can lead to litter box avoidance.

4. Territorial Marking: Especially in multi-cat households, some cats may try to mark their territory.

Strategies for Preventing Litterbox Issues:

1. Seek Veterinary Help

   1. Especially if the behavior has suddenly onset, it is important to rule out any medical issues. Consulting with a veterinarian can help you diagnose any underlying medical conditions that are leading to elimination outside the litter box. If your cat is unneutered, they may recommend neutering to reduce territorial marking.

2. Clean Regularly

   1. Cat litter should be scooped frequently to get rid of built up urine and feces. Most animals don’t enjoy walking around in their own excrement and cats will avoid their litter box if it is too dirty. Occasionally, you should do a full dump of the litter and scrub the box thoroughly.

3. Provide Options

   1. There are various types of cat litter boxes. They can be covered or open, large or small, circular or rectangular, and there are even self-cleaning litter boxes now. Provide different types of litter boxes to see what your cat prefers.

   2. Just like the box itself, the litter can also come in all different styles. It can vary in texture, material, clumping ability, and fragrance. Trying out different types of litters can be helpful if you are struggling with odor, tracking throughout the house, allergies, or if your cat simply has a preference for a certain type.

4. Manage Stress and Anxiety

   1. If you have recently introduced a new pet or person to the home, your cat may avoid certain areas due to stress. Doing gradual introductions using rewards such as food or affection can help your cat feel more comfortable around the new family member.

   2. Providing multiple litter boxes in different areas of the home can also help when your cat is feeling anxious. Some cats guard litter boxes or your cat may just not want to leave a particular area of the home. Having multiple options gives them a better opportunity to have a safe place to go to the bathroom.

   3. Make sure to have plenty of hiding spaces around the home. A fearful cat doesn’t want to be caught out in the open, so having a place they can run to and hide will help them feel safer.

   4. Seek out a professional behavior consultant if you need help. They may recommend you see a veterinarian for anti-anxiety medication if your cat is showing overwhelming amounts of stress and anxiety.

5. Manage the Environment

   1. As mentioned before, it can be helpful to spread out litter boxes, especially in a multi-cat home, in order to provide more opportunities to eliminate appropriately and to avoid litter box guarding.

   2. It is important to clean messes thoroughly. Cats like to eliminate in the same place they have eliminated before. Cat urine has a strong odor, so getting it out of carpet and furniture can be challenging. Using enzymatic cleaners that are specifically designed to break down cat urine is very useful to reducing odor and reoccurrence.

Special Tools and Considerations:

1. Enzymatic Cleaners: Enzymatic cleaners break down uric acid into carbon dioxide and ammonia. These are gases that can evaporate. It is important to follow the instructions on the bottle because these cleaners require time to break down the stain and can require reapplication if the stain is large.

2. Pheromone Diffusers: While they won’t likely work on their own, pheromone diffusers can have a calming effect on cats. They release chemicals that replicate cat facial pheromones, which are naturally used to mark spaces as safe. They take some time to reach full effect, but they can be a useful tool to reduce stress and territorial marking.

Cats going to the bathroom outside their litter box can be an extremely frustrating and challenging issue for pet owners. Following basic litter box care, providing options, and managing the environment of the home are some of the ways you can prevent inappropriate elimination. It is important to pinpoint the underlying issue so you can prevent the behavior most effectively and maintain a clean, odor-free, and happy home for you and your cat.