One sniff upon entering your home and you recognize the unmistakable odor of cat urine and feces. Simba has used your entry hall as his litter box again.
But before you lose your temper- stop. By scrutinizing the environment through your
cat’s eyes, you will likely discover the cause of his toileting mishaps.
Elimination issues are a main reason for veterinary visits
and a primary reason for relinquishment of cats at shelters. House soiling
problems can be multi-factorial, with an overlap of behavioral, environmental
and medical causes. Feline house soiling can be managed however with sleuth
work and patience. The challenge is to think like a cat.
First and foremost, say this and repeat it…”My cat does not
eliminate out of the litter box to get even with me.” Cats do use urine and
fecal scent marks to communicate territory, but this isn’t done with spite or
in effort to “get even” with you. Inappropriate elimination is a cat’s way stating
that something isn’t right in their world. Understanding this is key before tackling
feline house soiling. Focus on what’s wrong in Simba’s toilet area, not on how
the house soiling makes you feel.
Start with a Vet Check
Cat owners often struggle with house soiling mishaps for
months or years before enlisting help from their veterinarian. But seeing the
veterinarian should be the first step, since health disorders may be at the
root of some house soiling issues. Your efforts in restoring litter box usage
will be doomed if an underlying medical cause is not addressed at the same
time.
Size does matter
Make sure your cat’s litter box is of adequate size to allow
maneuvering. Litter box size should be 1 ½ times the length of cat’s body
length. Height of the edge also matters. For older kitties, try lower profile
litter boxes or plastic under bed storage boxes. An arthritic older cat won’t
complain or cry in pain with arthritis, she’ll just chose to eliminate
elsewhere.
Consider the view
Cats don’t want to be startled while in the loo. Don’t place
the litter box in a high traffic area where people and pets are always a-coming
and going. Cats prefer a low traffic area where they can have an eye out on
things.
Don’t place the litter box near appliances which give off
noise, vibration and heat, all which disturb your cat while eliminating. Once a
negative aversion is created, your cat may not return to use that box in the
future.
Ditch the litter box cover. While some nervous kitties
prefer the privacy of litter box covers, the majority of cats dislike the tight
quarters and limited ventilation litter box covers provide. Consider how you
feel in a public porta-potty... do you like to touch the walls when inside? Sure, people like the way the lid contains odors, but does
it really matter how little odor comes from the litter box when your cat is
pooping on your oriental rug?
Provide more than one box
A common error is assuming that one litter box is all your
cat needs. What cat owner loves the litter box, and relishes seeing more of
them in the home? But the more the better when it comes to faithful litter box
usage, especially with multiple cats. The general rule is to provide one more
box than the number of cats. Some cats share litter boxes, others will not.
Unless you provide alternate sites you may have elimination issues in multiple
cat homes.
Another special consideration is differences in cat’s
personalities- timid cats may avoid crossing paths with other more assertive
pets in home. Be sure to provide litter box sites that won’t be blocked by
other animal’s movements.
If you live in a multilevel home- you must provide litter
box sites on each level. This is especially important in multi-cat homes, those
with senior cats or those with health conditions.
The pick of litters
Litter texture preferences vary and there are many choices
from scoopable, clay, crystals, or natural litters. However in one research
study of cat’s litter box habits, it demonstrated that the majority of cats
prefer fine grained scoopable clay based litters that have carbon as their odor
absorbing ingredient. Every cat is different though, so try other litter
varieties until you find your cat’s preference.
Skip the scents. The verdict is still out on what odors cats
prefer, but avoid heavily scented litters or deodorizers if your cat is missing
the box. Interestingly enough, one study showed cats preferred cedar and fish
odors, while avoiding citrus and floral scents, while another study concluded
cats preferred fish or bleach smells to other scents.
Ideal litter depth is 2 inches- more isn’t always better.
Some cats thrive on scratching the bottom of the pan, which is obscured by
excessive amounts of litter.
Keep it clean
Cats are fastidious by nature and will avoid using a soiled
or smelly box. The overall cleaning frequency depends on the number of cats in
the home. General advice is to scoop twice a day and deep clean the litter pan weekly.
Change out clumping litter every 2-3 weeks.
Build it and kitty will use it
By building your cat's dream litter box, your cat will
find litter box nirvana. And you’ll come to enjoy a better relationship with
your kitty family members without those unwanted "presents" in the foyer.
Need more help managing those frustrating litter box “Oops”? Look for my
next blog on how to deter the return offender to the site, and how
to draw kitty to the right spot.
