Litter-box Woes
It’s no secret that cats are picky about everything- including their litter boxes. In order to solve litter box problems, you have to get creative- and patient. There's going to be problems if its too big, too small, too hidden, too public.. and so the list goes on. Proper litter box use is one of the important things you can teach your fussy feline.
So what if they suddenly go off the idea? This means that your favourite spot on the couch or that gorgeous new rug you just had to have, could be a potential substitute as the new litter box. Before it gets to this stage, there are a few medical and behaviour conditions to look out for.
Reasons your cat could be eliminating the litter-box
- You may need to thoroughly clean the litter box more.
- Your cat is having trouble accessing the litter-box.
- Your cat could have experienced something stressful while using the litter box.
- Multiple cats in the household can impact which cat can use the litter box.
Medical Reasons
Your cat’s health and happiness are the most important parts of this process. Therefore, it is best to have a vet check for any health conditions that can stop your cat from using the litter box. These can include: Feline Idiopathic Cystitis, Urinary Tract infections and Bladder Stones or a blockage. Once these medical conditions have been ruled out, then there are a few reasons why your cat could be eliminating the litter box.
Why is my cat sleeping in the litter box?
Felines are known to do some peculiar things, but when they do something out of character - like hanging out or sleeping in the litter box - it’s time to figure out the problem and supply a solution.
Rule Out Illness
The first thing to do is to rule out illness. If your cat is sleeping in the litter box, pay attention to other routine behaviors: Is your cat using the litter box, but straining or going frequently? Any of these symptoms could mean your can isn’t feeling well and he’s using the litter box as a source of comfort (even if it’s just to keep the toilet nearby). Make an appointment to see the vet.
Pregnancy
If your cat is female and not spayed, have the vet check if she is pregnant - especially if she ventures outdoors. Or, if you know your cat is pregnant and see her spending long periods of time sleeping in the litter box, she might be looking for a place to have her kittens.
If you think that's the case, it’s best to prepare an alternative nesting box for your cat by lining a bin or cardboard box with clean, soft towels or blankets.
Refuge
When the house is chaotic, guests are over, and the kids are bouncing off the walls, where’s the one place you can go with guaranteed privacy? That’s right, the bathroom. And the same goes for your cat!
When caught off guard - maybe the kids or the dog is being a ball of energy , or a there's a thunderstorm -they will seek out a hiding place. It’s likely that if refuge was what your cat was seeking in the litter box, she will surely find it in a soft clean box you placed in the same location.
Territorial Guarding
In multi-cat households, staking out the litter box can be an attempt to claim and defend territory. Depending on your cats’ dynamics, the cat sleeping in the litter box may be guarding it so he doesn’t get denied access by a bully cat, or he may be the one doing the real bullying and keeping other cats away from its litter box. Whatever the case, the solution is the same.
To keep the peace a good rule of thumb is to have 1.5 litter boxes per cat. So, in a house with three cats, you should have 4-5 litter boxes available. The key is to make them equally desirable and that means keeping them clean!
Help your cat love their litter-box
To help your cat rekindle their love with the litter box, there are a few tips and tricks you can use. We want to make the litter box feel like it is a safe and desirable place. Cats will be visiting their box daily, so let’s make it fun and inviting.
- Ensure you change their litter box once a day.
- Try not to use any liner or lids.. the sound/movement can sometimes cause nervousness.
- NEVER rub your cat’s nose in their business if they have gone to the toilet outside of their litter box. This does not help the situation as it will make them feel more stressed and does not rectify any of the problems at hand.
- Clean the litter box thoroughly with baking soda and warm water once a week. This will also help to eliminate any smells.
- Make sure the litter is shallow by keeping the level 1-2 inches deep.
- If their litter box is placed somewhere that is too bright or loud, you can move it around the house until you find a location that your cat prefers.
- Having multiple litter boxes around the house can work well especially if there are many cats living in one household. Each cat should have their own litter box. You should also have a spare litter box in the house.
- When there are children and other pets in the environment, ensure they do not hang around the cat while they are using the litter box.
Your cat’s relationship with the litter box should not be scary or stressful. Through the above steps, you can help make the environment safe and warm for your furry family member to do their business.
It’s no secret that cats are picky about everything- including their litter boxes. In order to solve litter box problems, you have to get creative- and patient. There's going to be problems if its too big, too small, too hidden, too public.. and so the list goes on. Proper litter box use is one of the important things you can teach your fussy feline.
So what if they suddenly go off the idea? This means that your favourite spot on the couch or that gorgeous new rug you just had to have, could be a potential substitute as the new litter box. Before it gets to this stage, there are a few medical and behaviour conditions to look out for.
Reasons your cat could be eliminating the litter-box
- You may need to thoroughly clean the litter box more.
- Your cat is having trouble accessing the litter-box.
- Your cat could have experienced something stressful while using the litter box.
- Multiple cats in the household can impact which cat can use the litter box.
Medical Reasons
Your cat’s health and happiness are the most important parts of this process. Therefore, it is best to have a vet check for any health conditions that can stop your cat from using the litter box. These can include: Feline Idiopathic Cystitis, Urinary Tract infections and Bladder Stones or a blockage. Once these medical conditions have been ruled out, then there are a few reasons why your cat could be eliminating the litter box.
Why is my cat sleeping in the litter box?
Felines are known to do some peculiar things, but when they do something out of character - like hanging out or sleeping in the litter box - it’s time to figure out the problem and supply a solution.
Rule Out Illness
The first thing to do is to rule out illness. If your cat is sleeping in the litter box, pay attention to other routine behaviors: Is your cat using the litter box, but straining or going frequently? Any of these symptoms could mean your can isn’t feeling well and he’s using the litter box as a source of comfort (even if it’s just to keep the toilet nearby). Make an appointment to see the vet.
Pregnancy
If your cat is female and not spayed, have the vet check if she is pregnant - especially if she ventures outdoors. Or, if you know your cat is pregnant and see her spending long periods of time sleeping in the litter box, she might be looking for a place to have her kittens.
If you think that's the case, it’s best to prepare an alternative nesting box for your cat by lining a bin or cardboard box with clean, soft towels or blankets.
Refuge
When the house is chaotic, guests are over, and the kids are bouncing off the walls, where’s the one place you can go with guaranteed privacy? That’s right, the bathroom. And the same goes for your cat!
When caught off guard - maybe the kids or the dog is being a ball of energy , or a there's a thunderstorm -they will seek out a hiding place. It’s likely that if refuge was what your cat was seeking in the litter box, she will surely find it in a soft clean box you placed in the same location.
Territorial Guarding
In multi-cat households, staking out the litter box can be an attempt to claim and defend territory. Depending on your cats’ dynamics, the cat sleeping in the litter box may be guarding it so he doesn’t get denied access by a bully cat, or he may be the one doing the real bullying and keeping other cats away from its litter box. Whatever the case, the solution is the same.
To keep the peace a good rule of thumb is to have 1.5 litter boxes per cat. So, in a house with three cats, you should have 4-5 litter boxes available. The key is to make them equally desirable and that means keeping them clean!
Help your cat love their litter-box
To help your cat rekindle their love with the litter box, there are a few tips and tricks you can use. We want to make the litter box feel like it is a safe and desirable place. Cats will be visiting their box daily, so let’s make it fun and inviting.
- Ensure you change their litter box once a day.
- Try not to use any liner or lids.. the sound/movement can sometimes cause nervousness.
- NEVER rub your cat’s nose in their business if they have gone to the toilet outside of their litter box. This does not help the situation as it will make them feel more stressed and does not rectify any of the problems at hand.
- Clean the litter box thoroughly with baking soda and warm water once a week. This will also help to eliminate any smells.
- Make sure the litter is shallow by keeping the level 1-2 inches deep.
- If their litter box is placed somewhere that is too bright or loud, you can move it around the house until you find a location that your cat prefers.
- Having multiple litter boxes around the house can work well especially if there are many cats living in one household. Each cat should have their own litter box. You should also have a spare litter box in the house.
- When there are children and other pets in the environment, ensure they do not hang around the cat while they are using the litter box.
Your cat’s relationship with the litter box should not be scary or stressful. Through the above steps, you can help make the environment safe and warm for your furry family member to do their business.