Answers From Your Duarte & Azusa Veterinarian: Why Won't My Cat Use the Litter Box?
When your cat stops using the litterbox, it’s traumatic for the entire household. The first thing you need to do is identify why this is happening. Straight from the Duarte & Azusa veterinarian in Duarte, CA, here are some common reasons.
Urinary Tract Infection
Several health issues could be discouraging litter box use, the most common being a urinary tract infection. Symptoms include frequent urination outside the box, dark colored urine , and apparent pain.
Solution: The resolution is to get your cat to our animal hospital pronto.
Litter box is Dirty
Cats are fastidious creatures and a trip to a dirty litter box means no trip at all. Scooping often is a good way to send out the welcome mat and invite your cat to stop eliminating elsewhere.
Solution: Scoop daily, clean completely at least weekly.
Litter is New
Have you changed the litter brand lately? Cats like routine, and that includes their usual kitty litter. Different smell, texture and appearance from the usual brand is enough to send many cats eliminating elsewhere.
Solution: Go back to using the original brand.
The Transfer Disaster
It might not exactly be a transfer, but if your cat’s litter box is not in just the right spot, she may decide to go on strike. Or, she may panic if the box is not in its usual place and decide to pee where it once resided. A noisy spot is a definite no-go, as is a box near where he eats.
Solution: Place the box in a quiet, calm spot, free of chaos and noise and away from anything scary, and whatever you do – don’t move it!
The Roaming Romeo (or Juliet)
It’s called marking and it’s not just the territory of males. Cats like to define their space with the scent of their urine. Males are the most likely culprits, especially if they have not been fixed, but in homes with several cats, a female may also join in.
Contact Our Duarte Veterinarian Today
For more information or to make an appointment, call our office at 626-357-2251!