Am I the only cat parent who loves pouring fresh litter into a sparkling clean litter box? No smell, no mess, no dust; only clean, unadulterated, brand new kitty litter. It's so satisfying to know that my cat Olivia has an immaculate place to go about her business.
But sometimes our cats just don't feel that way. With our best attempts to give them what they need, every now and then our cats choose to go about their business outside of the box. When your cat doesn't use the litter box it can be gross and frustrating, I know. You might even feel offended!
But if your cat is peeing or even pooping outside of the litter box, she's probably trying to tell you something. Trust me, your cat hasn't stopped using her box out of spite, so avoid scolding her. It could make the problem worse! Getting to the root of the problem is especially important because litter box problems can be a sign of a sick cat.
Why doesn't my cat use the litter box?
Cats have a well-deserved reputation for being subtle and mysterious. Unfortunately for their pet parents, that doesto decode thema little tricky. But here are some common reasons why your cat doesn't use the litter box:
It could be a sign your cat is sick:
If your kitten suddenly stops using the litter box, the culprit could be her health. The vet Dr. Liz Bales says the number one reason a cat poops outside the litter box is a medical issue.Visit your vet. They'll likely do a thorough exam, including a urinalysis, to look for problems likekidney diseaseorhyperthyroidismthat might contribute to the behavior.
Your cat is a senior:
Unfortunately, older cats tend to have more problems with the litter box. They can develop medical conditions that alter their bathroom behavior. For example approx95%of cats 10 years and older are diagnosed with hyperthyroidism.Feline Hyperthyreosecan cause increased thirst and urination, which could explain why your cat pees outside the litter box.
kidney diseaseIn older cats, this can also lead to frequent urination, which means your cat may end up peeing anywhere but in her crate! And arthritis can make it difficult for your geriatric kitten to even get to their crate, which can lead to accidents.
Bottom Line: If your cat isn't using the litter box, it could be a sign that your cat is sick. So speak to your vet immediately to rule out any serious medical problems.
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Your cat squirts:
It's hard to imagine more offensive feline behavior. But if your kitten is peeing and squirting in the litter box, it's a behavioral issue and probably not a medical issue. Check out one of my other blog posts to learn more about how to do thisPermanently prevent your cat from spraying.
Your cat might be anxious:
Pet anxiety is an issue close to my heart. As an expert on pet life, I have worked for years to help as many pet owners as possible learn the symptoms of anxiety. My puppy Tulip suffers from anxiety and it breaks my heart to see her suffer. Cats can fight with petsAngstto. And peeing or pooping outside of the litter box can be a telltale sign your kitty is stressed.
The cause of cat anxiety is not always due to major trauma. The reason can be as simple as a change in daily routine or the addition of a new family member (or family member). If there are multiple cats in the house, your kitty might even be anxious about a conflict with another cat! Regardless, if your cat is peeing in front of the litter box due to stress, there are solutions that can help.
One of my favorite calming solutions to general anxiety in cats is asoothing diffuser by Feliway.
The diffuser mimics naturally produced pheromones that help reduce stress-related behaviors in cats, such as frowning. B. the spraying of urine to reduce. This vet-recommended solution works best when plugged into a room where your cat spends most of its time.
What to do if your cat doesn't use the litter box?
Once your cat has received a clean bill of health from the vet, the simplest solution to their bathroom problems may be staring you straight in the face: their litter box! That's right. The answer can be as simple as making changes to their box and throw.
Just like humans, cats care a lot about where they do business. So when choosing the right cat litter and box, remember: it's not about what's comfortable for us, it's about what your cat wants. But isn't that always the case?
Choose the right size litter box
The cause of cat anxiety is not always due to major trauma. The reason can be as simple as a change in daily routine or the addition of a new family member (or family member). If there are multiple cats in the house, your kitty might even be anxious about a conflict with another cat! Regardless, if your cat is peeing in front of the litter box due to stress, there are solutions that can help.
Pickthe right litter boxsaves you a lot of headache and litter box drama. Most boxes are too small for your cat to feel comfortable doing her business.The ideal size of your next litter box can be measured by the length from your cat's nose to the tip of the tail plus another fifty percent.
Don't cramp Kitty's style, lose the hood
In our view, it makes sense to cover a potentially smelly litter box. But our cats don't think like that. Imagine how much you dislike using a small, dark, smelly bathroom. Leaving the box open will likely make your cat more comfortable and less likely to do business outside of the litter box.
You need more than a litter box
Every cat is unique.But most prefer to have more than one litter box. And if there are multiple cats in the house, then multiple litter boxes are a must! Here's a good rule of thumb: one crate for each cat in your family,Plus one. So if you have a cat, plan on two boxes. If you have two cats, plan on three boxes.
Check the location of the litter box
A good start is to put her litter box in a private place where she feels safe. Can she escape quickly if she wants? Most cats hate feeling cornered. Also, cats don't like to do their business near their food and water bowls. If you have an older cat, make sure the box is easily accessible and not too far from where she likes to spend time. Read more about them here6 secrets of the litter boxYour cat wants you to know.
Keep the litter box clean
Cats are notorious for staying clean. Most are quite picky about keeping their paws clean. Regularly, even daily, scoop your cat's crate to encourage her to use the crate instead of peeing outside or next to the litter box. If her litter box smells clean, she's more likely to use it.
Speaking of smells. If your cat is peeing or pooping outside of the crate, it's important that you clean it up promptly and properly. I recommend using an enzymatic cleaner like this one frommy brand Kinderbean.Rather than simply removing the dirt and masking the odor, an enzymatic cleaner releases active enzymes that feed on ammonia left in pet urine and other organic materials. So it not only removes stains, but also eliminates odor at its source. This prevents re-contamination. So if your cat doesn't smell where it's been doing its business, it's less likely to return to the scene of the accident!
Why I love my natural cat litter
Perhaps the most obvious solution to when your cat isn't using the litter box is to change your litter. If you've been following me for a while then you know I'm in love with World's Best Cat Litter™! I think it's safe to say that Olivia loves it too because she uses her litter box faithfully. Their formulas are made with whole grain corn and only the finest, safest ingredients. The odor control is amazing and it clumps and scoops up like a breeze making cleanup quick and easy. I personally use theirsMulti-Cat Lavender Scentedformula and it works great for us.
Theoriginal, unscented formulais a smash hit with cat moms and dads everywhere. It has excellent odor control and firm clumping
Capability. So your cat will appreciate having a clean place to do their business.
World's Best Cat Litter™ also makes formulas specifically for cats who have trouble using the litter box. So if your best cat has decided to stop using her crate or suddenly pees everywhere,exceptin their crate, then maybe it's time to switch to one of these World's Best Kitty Litter™:
- Picky Cat™- Some cats are very picky and if that is the case with your kitty then this cat litter formula is for you. This clumping litter for multiple cats contains plant-based ingredients that naturally attract your cat into the crate. Try it out on newly adopted cats, kittens, seniors, or any cat that is fussy and won't use the litter box.
- Attraction Action®- This high-performance litter has a natural plant-based additive that is sure to draw your cat into the crate. It addresses three common reasons cats don't go to their litter box: smell, texture, and cleanliness. It's perfect for when your cat has stopped using her box and will help you avoid future accidents.
Another thing I loveWorld's Best Cat Litter™ is that they are socially responsible. Through her#GIVEACRAPcampaign, they areDonations of up to £3million of litter - one for each of the estimated 3million cats that end up in a shelter each year. If you love helping cats at the shelter, please#GIVEACRAPand donate!
Here's where you canLearn more about their campaign. If you chooseWorld's Best Cat Litter™, You Help Your Kitten and Millions More.
So if your cat suddenly stops using the litter box, don't despair. Once your vet rules out medical or behavioral issues as the cause, your cat is probably trying to tell you that she's ready to dispose of her old litter. Try World's Best Cat Litter™ and end your litter box problem.
Chew on it: I may get a small commission for affiliate links, but all the products I "dig" up are the ones I really love!