Cats can have behavior problems regarding the litter box for many reasons. One of those reasons is due to a location preference.

Unfortunately for many cat owners some cats will develop a problem with the litter box. Sometimes this problem is due to a medical problem, paying a visit to your veterinarian should always be the first thing done if kitty starts going to the bathroom outside of the box. The veterinarian will collect a urine sample and run tests checking for a feline urinary tract infection, bladder crystals or stones. If a medical problem turns up it is usually treated with antibiotics and/or a diet change. Male cats can develop a problem where they become blocked and unable to urinate, if your cat is straining in the litter box and not producing urine (may look like constipation) call your veterinarian immediately, this is an emergency situation that your cat could die from.

If a medical problem is not present then a behavior problem needs to be addressed. Litter box issues is the number one reason cats end up in shelters, these problems are not always an easy fix. The first step is to try and figure out why the cat is not using the litter box (remember cats are very sensitive creatures). The second step is to try to solve the problem with training and patience.

Cats might stop using the litter box because they have a litter box location preference.

Problem: A lot of cats have a location where they prefer to go to the bathroom.

• Some cats with a location preference will urinate in quiet dark corners of the home, under desks or stairs, or in closets.
• Cats will sometimes urinate in a place where a litter box used to be kept or where there are urine odors.
• A lot of cats will find a place to urinate if the litter box is on a different level of the house then what they are on.

Solution:

• Cats are extremely lazy creatures. Have at least on litter box on each level of your home.
• Make areas where the cat has been using the bathroom unattractive by cleaning with citrus scented cleansers or place a carpet runner upside down in that area. Placing aluminum foil in the area sometimes works as well. (Punch some holes in the foil so the area can breathe).
• Place a litter box in the area where the cat has been urinating. When the cats has successfully used the box for at least one month start moving the box to a more desirable location, but do not move the box more then one inch per day. Try praising kitty with treats when she comes out of the litter box. Cats can be very trainable.

This is meant to be some basic advice for one litter box issue, there are several litter box issues that a cat may have. If your cat is not using the litter box talk to your veterinarian first then try some behavior/training solutions. Contacting an animal behaviorist may also be helpful. Don't give up on your cat, training cats can be done it just takes a little time and a lot of patience. Stay in contact with your veterinarian and keep them apprised of the situation, if training alone doesn't help there might be medications that can help. Most medications are meant to be used along with training.

Related Articles: Cat Litter Box Issues, Cat Urine Issues, and Cat Urinary Problems

References: Kansas Humane Society

Dr. Emily Weiss, Kansas Humane Society Animal Behaviorist

Here's the follow-up discussion on this article:

View all related messages

Post to this discussion

For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Charla Dawson's Pet Training topic, please visit the Discussions page.