Cats That Stop Using the Litter Box
Cats all have their own personalities and they may stop using the litter box for various reasons. Litter box problems are common among all ages of cats. While kittens and old cats tend to have the most problems with a litter box, "middle aged" cats will stop using the litter box for their own reason. Humans often have the misconception that a cat will stop using the litter box because they are upset with their owner. A cat will not act out of spite or revenge; they may have a urinary tract infection, blocked stools, or other reasons that has forced them to stop using the litter box.
One of the obvious reasons why a cat will stop using the litter box is because it is not cleaned on a regular basis. If you can smell the litter box, it is definitely time to start cleaning. A litter box needs to be cleaned at least once a week, and scooped out once a day.
If you recently changed the cat litter, the cat may not like the new cat litter. Some cats are very picky about the texture of cat litter they will choose to eliminate on. A possible reason why the cat doesn't like the new litter is the way it feels on their paws or the smell of the cat litter.
Perhaps your cat would rather go outside.
Never change the location of the litter box without showing the cat where the litter box will be. If you want to move the litter box into a new location, start by slowing moving it a foot or two each day until it winds up in the location where you want it to be. Make sure the new location of the litter box is in a quiet room where the cat can have some privacy. Cats have diverse personalities and they do not like to be seen eliminating their waste. If the cat was startled by a person or noise while using the litter box, they may not return to it.
Do not use the litter box as a form of punishment. If the cat eliminates on the carpet or another location of the home, it is best to clean it up and move on. Pick up the cat gently and place them in the litter box to show them where they need to go to eliminate their waste.
Cats are sensitive to the feelings and emotions of owners. If you come home feeling angry, sad, or frustrated, the cat may pick up on these emotions and start eliminating in other areas of the home.
Your cat may have a medical condition like a urinary tract infection or crystals in the urine. A urinary tract infection and crystals in the urine are painful and need to be treated by the vet as soon as possible. If the cat starts to associate the litter box with painful waste elimination, they may start to avoid it. Cats normally do not act sick or in pain, even when they may be in pain, which is why it is important to have the vet check them for stool blockage and urinary tract infections.
If you recently moved to a new home or experienced a life change such as a divorce, addition of another animal, or additional of a child, the cat may be confused or acting out. Cats are emotional animals that require a lot of love and affection. If you have moved to a new home, begin re-teaching your cat about the litter box by placing it in a location where the cat can see it at all times. Once the cat starts using the litter box again, you can slowly move it to another area in the home where you want it to stay.
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