Life with a cat can be absolutely wonderful, but what happens if, all of a sudden, your cat stops using the litter box? What causes this change in behavior? The Cornell University Feline Health Center has some good information that we wanted to pass on to you in case you’re experiencing inappropriate urination from your cat.
Causes
It’s tempting to think that the reason your cat may be eliminating outside her litter box is for revenge or a political statement. Sometimes that does happen but, more likely, there could either be a medical problem or something that is bothering her about her litter box.
Medical problems: It’s possible that a medical problem could cause your cat to associate pain and an inability to urinate with her litter box which means that she’s trying to eliminate in a different place. This pain could be associated with kidney or liver disease or even thyroid disease.
Litter box issues: There could be something about her litter box that she has decided she just does not like. It could be where it sits or even the fact that another cat has sprayed near her box. Check to see if the litter box has any harsh odors. If so, that could be one reason why your cat is urinating outside the box.
Also check to see if the sides of the litter box too high for your cat. Cats who have mobility issues, as well as little kittens, may have trouble getting in and out of a box where the sides are too high. For young kittens, try using disposable roasting pans from the grocery store until they get bigger.
Be sure not to place your litter box in a high traffic area. Cats are very private and would prefer to be left alone when doing their business.
What to Do
One of the most important things to do is not let this behavior go on too long. The experts at Cornell University say that the longer the behavior persists, the more likely it will become habit.
Make an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss the issue. It may simply be that she does not like her cat litter and wants a softer or finer blend.
If you have a multi-cat household, find out whether your cat is being terrorized when she’s using the litter box. If you currently use a box that has a cover on it, you might want to remove it so your cat can see who’s around and beside her.
You may have to do some detective work to determine the cause of why your cat is not using her litter box. However, once you find the answer, both you and your cat will be happy once again.
Photo Credit: istockphoto.com
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