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"Fifteen questions to ask if your
cat stops using the litter tray"
Sometimes out of the blue a cat will stop using the litter
tray. Most owners just think "Oh, an accident!" and clear up. Then
it happens again. And again.
For cats learn to feel a certain substance under their feet. For most cats
this will be the litter, itself. But if (for some other reason) the cat has
not been using the litter, it will start getting used to the feel of, say,
carpet. And once carpet is the substance which triggers urination or
defecation, you are in trouble.
So all "accidents" with litter need quick investigation and quick
remedy.
1. IS THE LITTER CLEAN ENOUGH? It must be cleaned daily, or even
twice a day. The cat may leave its bottom over the side because it doesn't
feel the box is clean enough. Some cats will tolerate a dirty tray. Others
will refuse to use a tray that already has one lot of dirty material. So see
if adding a second tray will solve the problem.
2. IS IT TOO CLEAN?
Are you putting in deodorants, disinfectants or scented litter. A litter
tray should be dry and clean but with an aroma of urine and faeces it should
smell like a latrine. If you are cleaning the tray with disinfectants
remember to rinse it thoroughly so their scent disappears.
3. IS THERE ENOUGH LITTER? There should also be enough litter some
cats will stop using the tray if you are too mean with the litter.
4. HAVE YOU CHANGED THE TYPE OF LITTER? Change back. If you want to
change it, start by adding one handful of the new litter, then two slowly
changing over several weeks.
5. IS IT THE RIGHT LITTER? An outdoor cat may not like commercial
litter. Try sand or earth. Then slowly change once the tray is being used.
(see above). In general cats prefer thin grained litter to large grained.
6. IS YOUR CAT USED TO DOING IT OUT OF DOORS? For an outdoor cat
(whom you want to be an indoor going cat) transfer some soil/sand from where
they go. The familiar smell may trigger use. Some cats will use potting
compost or peat, rather than other litters. Add some soiled material so the
tray smells like a latrine.
7. IS THE TRAY IN THE RIGHT PLACE? Some cats stop using the litter
tray if it has been moved to (for them) an unsuitable place. Put it back!
Cats do not like a tray which is close to the feeding bowl.
8. IS IT THE RIGHT LITTER TRAY? If the problem is that the cat won't
use the litter tray (and therefore goes elsewhere) check that the cat is
happy with a litter tray. Experiment with covering it up the tray, either
just the sides or the top as well, using a cardboard box cut to fit. If the
litter tray is unused, maybe transfer some material from the place the cat
does go, into the box.
9. DOES YOUR CAT DISLIKE USING THE SAME TRAY FOR BOTH URINATION AND
DEFECATION? Add a new tray so that it can urinate in one and defecate in
the other.
10. ARE TOO MANY CATS USING THE SAME TRAY? There should be one litter
tray per cat as a minimum. Some cats won't go with other cats. A tray for
each cat and one over makes extra sure.
11. DOES THE CAT NEED A SECLUDED TRAY? Experiment with a cardboard
box, one that fits tightly over the litter tray as a cover. If this stops
her sitting on the edge or doing it over the side, then buy a litter box
with fitted cover. Use the same kind of litter and place some of the soiled
litter in the new box, just so that it smells right to her.
12. IS YOUR CAT HANGING HER BOTTOM OVER THE SIDE OF THE TRAY? Make
sure the tray is full enough and clean enough. Or who leave their bottom
outside of the entrance into the covered litter. For these cats try placing
a smaller tray inside a larger one with a gap of about two and a half inches
at the entrance. This ensures that the cat has to step across the gap to
enter and use the inner try. Any over spill is absorbed by a small amount of
litter in the gap area.
The other idea is simply to buy a large deep round washing up bowl and use
it instead of the conventional litter tray. "Our cat, Mitzi, was unable
to get her tail over the side. It had other advantages in that the bowl was
easier to lift with its rounded rim and easier to keep clean" reported
Mitzi's owner.
13. HAS YOUR CAT HAD AN UNHAPPY EXPERIENCE WHILE ON THE TRAY? Has
your cat had an unhappy experience while using the tray ambush by a
companion cat, ambush by a dog, stomach pains while eliminating (from diarrhea?),
human interference while using the tray, a sudden loud noise while on the
tray, pain from cystitis. If so, the cat may mistakenly decide that the tray
isn't safe any more. Therefore, experiment with a new (yes, new. Don't be
mean) tray.
14. IS YOUR CAT FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO CLIMB IN? Arthritic cats may
need a shallow tray.
15. DOES YOUR CAT HAVE CYSTITIS?
Symptoms include straining, pain when urinating, blood in urine, frequent
urination, urinating in the wrong place. More common in long haired,
overweight, neutered males. Check with vet Cystitis attacks occur at
stressful times.
If you have answered yes to any of these questions, then remedy the
situation as quickly as possible. If not, then the likelihood is that your
cat is marking its territory either with urination or defecation
This article reprinted with permission
from
Celia Haddon
http://www.celiahaddon.co.uk/
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