Stream Valley Veterinary Hospital 2009 / When You Don't Want to Think Outside the Box

When You Don’t Want to Think Outside the Box

by Shannon M. Pecora, M.A.

Stream Valley Veterinary Hospital

On a fairly regular basis, our staff books and sees appointments with clients whose cats have stopped using their litter boxes. Especially when these cats had previously well-established litter box routines, this issue can be mysterious and frustrating. It can take a little detective work to uncover the source of the problem, whether it is behavioral, medical, or a combination of both.

Of course, it helps to start off on the right foot and hopefully prevent such an issue from occurring in the first place, so consider your situation to create the ideal setup. Is yours a multiple-cat home? If that is the case, make sure that you have at least one litter box per cat plus one extra to avoid any territorial spats or lines at the “little kitty’s room.” It is also important to place boxes in different locations throughout the home. Cats prefer to go where it is convenient, without having to trek across the house or up and down stairs, and they aren’t always fond of “doing their business” around everybody else. And think carefully about the different locations you choose. No one really wants to eat, drink, and potty all in the same place, so keep food and water separate from litter boxes. Doggie play areas, noisy household appliances, and high traffic zones can be frightening to felines. It’s best to create as much privacy, peace, and quiet as possible around litter boxes, but balance that with accessibility; your kitty shouldn’t have to search extensively or jump through hoops in order to relieve himself. And in general, a clean litter box is more inviting, so scoop at least once daily and change litter at least once weekly. Periodically cleaning boxes with soap and water can also be helpful.

Often, the issue is change in the home, whether dramatic or subtle. Maybe you have recently moved to a new home. If so, remember the techniques you used when your cat was a new kitten or adult adoptee. Bring her to the litter box; once you show her where it is, instinct should kick in and she’ll know what to do. Did you add a new cat, dog, or even baby to your family? It can take time, patience, and gradual introductions to help your cat settle back into the normal routine. Or you may have made a change that seems simple on the surface, such as switching litter brands or placing a different rug in front of the litter box. Even the little things have the potential to be vastly off-putting, and you may need to return to old ways to get your cat back on track.

As is hopefully clear, disruption of litter box habits can occur for a myriad of reasons. Therefore, perhaps the most important step to take if you notice a change is to make an appointment with your veterinarian. The root of the problem could, in fact, be a medical issue, such as a bacterial urinary tract infection, kidney stones, bladder inflammation, early renal disease, intestinal parasites, or inflammatory bowel disease. A professional veterinary assessment is vital to protect your pet’s health and to resolve medical issues as early as possible. Untreated illnesses, even minor ones, have the tendency to progress to serious medical concerns, and unfortunately, an illness that disrupts litter box use can lead to or become behavioral habit, often making it even more difficult to “get back to normal.”

The mystery of litter box habit changes isn’t always the easiest to solve. However, if you work closely with your vet and are diligent with the techniques the doctor recommends, you should see the investigative and practical teamwork pay off, saving both your carpets and your kitty’s health.