My Cat Won’t Use The Litter Box  

There are times when cat owners are clueless as to why their cat doesn’t use the litter box. The first thing you’ll want to do is have your cat examined by your veterinarian for a thorough physical exam which may include a urinalysis to eliminate any health issues. Cats don’t always act sick even when they are. If your cat has received a clean bill of health then you will have to go through a process of elimination. Here are some great tips that can help you solve the problem.  

The litter box is the first thing you should check. It should be in a quiet private area of the house. Many people put them in their basements and leave the door open a little as this not only creates a private environment but also keeps odors to a minimum in the rest of the house. Some people use a closet, but if you do this be sure and keep the box clean to reduce odors and don’t forget to leave the door open or install a cat door. From a maintenance point of view it is probably best to find a place without carpeting to locate the cat box as tile or cement is a lot easier to clean than carpeting. 

If the litter box is in a quiet low traffic area and has not been moved to a high traffic area then you have to ask yourself if you changed the litter box in any way. Does the box need cleaning? Is a different litter (clumping and unscented litter is best) being used? Has the depth of the litter in the box changed? Some cats like their litter deep, while others like it shallow. Your cat may have outgrown the box and needs a larger one or the box is too hard to enter and exit, this can be an issue for older cats. Do not put the cat’s food and water near the litter box, cats like these two areas kept separate. 

If your cat has picked out a particular room to soil try closing the door to that room if you can or cover the target area with furniture. Put a bowl of food over the target area as cats like to keep their eating area away from their toilet. Although it is recommended that if you have more than one cat you should get each one of them their own litter box I have found that in my own personal experience one litter box for every two cats is adequate. 

If you have recently moved to a new dwelling, your cat might smell an area where the previous owner’s cat urinated and think it’s alright to relieve itself in the same area. If you have introduced a new cat into your home it could take from three to eight weeks to get adjusted to its new environment, be patient. Also if there has been a recent addition or loss to the family such as a new baby or spouse, this can make your cat change its bathroom habits, but this is usually temporary until your cat adjust to the change in their environment. Try to phase in major lifestyle changes gradually. 

Never punish your cat by kicking, hitting, chasing, screaming or rubbing their nose in their urine or feces, they can’t make the connection like we can so punishment after the fact is useless and will only make matters worse. Cats, by nature, are very clean animals and will not stop using their litter box unless there has some kind of change in their environment, be it real or perceived. It is important to remember this and try and help your cat overcome any stress or anxiety they might be having in a caring and loving manner.