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Tips For Solving
Litterbox Avoidance
By Pia Silvani,
Director of Pet Training and Behavior Counseling
Litterbox aversion
is the number one behavior problem facing cat owners. More than 60 percent
of the cats surrendered to animal shelters are given up due to inappropriate
soiling. The good news is that this problem CAN be corrected!
There
are many reasons why a cat may soil in the house outside of its litterbox.
If you live in a multi-cat household, you must first determine who the culprit
is. After making the determination, take the villain to the veterinarian
for a thorough examination to rule out illness, infection or disease.
Analyze the situation carefully.
Here
are some possible reasons your cat may be avoiding its litterbox:
1) Dirty
litterbox - Do not stir the litter; stirring only mixes the dirty litter
around and the odor remains. Litter should be cleaned daily and thoroughly
changed at least once a week depending on the number of cats using the
box. Old litter should be discarded and the box cleaned with a good
neutralizer. Dust the bottom of the box with baking soda.
2) Litter
avoidance - Some cats who do not like the litter will stand on the edges and
urinate, missing the box. Do not rotate different litters, substituting
the cheapest brand or that which is on sale for the week. Cats do not like
change. If you find a litter that the cat enjoys using, stick with it for
life. If you cannot find the desirable litter, let your cat decide.
Fill three boxes, each with different types of litter. Whichever box you
cat uses will immediately tell you which litter to buy.
3) Food and
water too close to box - Cats do not like to eat and drink where they
relieve themselves.
4) Too many
cats and not enough boxes - A good rule of thumb should be two boxes for
each cat. Some cats like to urinate in one box and defecate in
another. Not all cats are this fastidious, but the more boxes you have
available, the more likely your cat will find one.
5) Something
frightened the cat when using its box - Re-evaluate what occurred prior to
the soiling program. Is the box near the washing machine which suddenly
started to rattle? Was the cat chased or harassed by other pets (cats or
dogs) while using the box? Did you attempt to give your cat medication or
do something unpleasant to him when he was in the box, since that was the only
time you could get to him?
6) Medical
condition - If your cat is straining to relieve itself, it might think of
its box as an unpleasant or painful place to be. Try to observe your cat
when it is in the box to see if there is a problem. If your cat is
straining, see your vet immediately.
7) Cannot
got to the box during the night - Remember, cats are nocturnal animals and
if not exercised and fed at bedtime, your cat will want to lay and eat during
the night. Casts have difficulty seeing in the dark. Leave a light
on so your cat can find its way to the box.
8) Does not
like the box - There are many types of litter pans. One cat may like a
closed box, while another will find it too confining. You may have to try
a few different boxes and let your cat decide which one he likes. Keep the
litterbox in a quiet, traffic-free area and do not move the box around the
house.
To
help your feline friend get back on track, reward your cat for relieving itself
in the appropriate place. Cats are not solitary animals and are not
maintenance-free. Try confining your cat to one room with a new, clean box
for a few days. Put his food and water in the room as well. Be aware
of when your cat typically uses the box and make sure you are present during
that time. Whenever your cat relieves itself in the box, reward it with a
yummy treat, perhaps small pieces of tuna. Also give the action a verbal
reinforcement such as, "Good kitty, box."
You
want to shape the good behavior. Do not punish your cat for soiling the
wrong area. If you do, you are just teaching him not to soil in your
presence and then you will not be able to give the reward. Gradually
increase his freedom to the rest of the house and continue to reward him for
using the box.
Feline
soiling problems are sometimes complex, so don't loose patience.
Identifying the reason why your cat stopped using the litterbox will help you
succeed. Once successful, you and your little bundle of love can resume
your rewarding life together.
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