Preventing Litter Box Problems Before They Happen
Cats may have litter box problems sometime throughout their life. Training a cat to use the litter box is a fairly easy process. There are some easy things you can do to prevent litter box problems.
Like other animals, cats like to mark their territory. Sexually mature cats will have problems urinating in the home and in other areas outside the litter box. Spaying or neutering your cat will help prevent your cat from eliminating outside the litter box by reducing the urge to mark their territory.
Another way to prevent litter box problems is to have more than one litter box in the home. For each cat you own, you should have at least 2 litter boxes. Having multiple litter boxes allows the cat to indicate which litter box is their territory. Cats will eliminate waste in one another's litter boxes to try and mark their territory. If you have multiple litter boxes, the cat can select one that hasn't been marked by another cat. Some cats are picky and refuse to use a litter box that has been marked by another cat. As long as the cat is using the litter box, you don't have to worry about them marking up your furniture.
Some cats will stop using the litter box because the cat owner is not taking proper care of it. A litter box needs to be scooped out daily and the box needs to be washed weekly or monthly, depending upon the type of cat litter you use. Cats will not use their litter box if they do not like the litter. Cat litter is designed to be sand-like and easy for the cat to dig around in. Cat litter also should easily clump so you can keep it cleaner with a scooper.
Once you have a cat litter that the cat prefers, stick with it. New cat litters are being created all the time that claim they can freshen the odors of the cat litter or that they do not have to be cleaned on a daily basis. Cats actually do not like scented litter and they may stop using the litter box if they do not like the smell inside. The litter box needs to have a neutral smell, which means it should not smell like urine and it cannot smell like bleach and other chemicals. The best cleanser to use on a litter box is dish soap or diluted bleach.
Make sure to purchase a litter box that is big enough for your cat. Litter boxes should be at least 22 inches long or wide. Cats need room to move inside the litter box and hooded litter boxes or small litter boxes will constrict their ability to dig and move. The cat litter level needs to be around 2-3 inches deep. Cats do not like deep litter and it is harder for the cat owner to keep the litter box clean.
Another way to prevent litter box problems is to place the litter box in an area in the home where the cat will have some privacy. The cat needs an area that is quiet and free from distractions. Since the cat is vulnerable in the litter box, they do not want anything to disturb them. Children should be taught to leave the cat alone when they are in the litter box. If a cat is startled when they are using the litter box, they may associate the noise with the litter box and stop using it altogether.
If you have multiple levels in your home, place a litter box on each level. Older cats have a hard time running up and down stairs and often refuse to do it. Placing a litter box in a central location will help the cat eliminate waste in the litter box.
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