Behavioral Causes Of A Cat Litter Box Problem

A cat litter box problem stems from one of two kinds of causes. The first is physical, which I've discussed in another article, and the second is behavioral. Today, we're going to look at some of the behavioral causes.

In order to determine the cause, it is often necessary to use a diagnosis of exclusion. In other words, you look at the situation and try to rule out each of the possible causes, until you are finally left with what must be the answer.

You'll need help from your vet on this one, since you'll want to first rule out any physical cause. It's always best to assume your cat has a physical problem until your vet proves you wrong.

If your vet has given the all clear, then you're going to have to assume, for the moment, that your litter box problems are behavioral. Let's try to understand our cat's point of view and see if we can think of some behavioral reasons for not using the litter box.

1. Dirty Cat Box - some cats prefer the box to be extremely clean, and others are willing to allow it to be somewhat less so. No matter what, you should clean your litter box at least once per day. You should also change your litter out completely at least every few weeks. Whenever you change the litter, wash the litter box thoroughly. Be sure to wash the lid too if you have a hooded box.

2. Box Odor - some cats will refuse to use a litter box if it doesn't smell right. Remember, that means smell right to the cat, not to you. You might be thinking that your clean box smells just fine. This is not always the case.

You need to clean the box to your cat's satisfaction. Scented cleaners, not rinsing well enough, or not cleaning thoroughly are all reasons why yoru cat won't be pleased. It's recommended that you use a solution of one part bleach to 30 parts water for sanitizing. When you're finished, the box should be clean and dry and not smell like cat waste, soap, or bleach.

3. Litter Box Odor - some cats simply prefer the odor of one brand or type of litter over another. Even unscented litters have an odor your cat can detect and may not like. Be prepared to try different types and brands until you find the right one for your cat.

4. Type of Litter - your cat may not like the type of cat litter you use. When you switch litters, do it slowly. Try adding 20 percent new litter to 80 percent old, and then increasing the amount of new litter over several days until you're only using the new litter.

5. Litter Box Type - the shape, size, and type of box does matter. For example, some cats may like a hooded box, while others prefer the open kind. Perhaps your cat would like higher walls, or a larger box. If you've recently changed litter boxes, this could be causing a problem.

6. Number of Boxes - in multi-cat households, territory is at a premium. Use the one plus one rule when selecting how many boxes you'll need in order to prevent traffic jams. That means one box for each cat, plus one extra so that there is always a free box available. Having more boxes also keeps each box a little cleaner, which makes the scooping chore a bit easier on you.

7. Bad Location - this can be an issue since in some cases, you just can't find a good spot for the box. I've seen them in busy and noisy areas like laundry rooms and kitchens. If your cat is not pleased with the location of the box, she may stop using it. Always try to keep the box in an area that is low traffic and low noise.

8. Territorial Issues - territorial arguments are common in multi-cat households. Some cats like to sneak up on others when they're using the box and pounce. If your cat is attacked every time he's in the box, he may grow to hate the box. This is where the one plus one rule for multi-cat households is most important.

9. Stress - stress is a leading cause of box aversion. If your cat is stressed by a life event, such as a recent move or a new addition to the household, this may be the cause of the problem. One of my readers found out the hard way that one family member was trying the wrong form of behavior modification on one of their cats. The result was a litter box issue. Try to think about what might have changed recently in your cat's life, and then try to reduce or eliminate the stress.

Sadly, many cats end up in shelters due to cat litter box problems that can usually be solved. Knowing which solution to use means knowing the cause. Your veterinarian will rule out the physical causes first, then you can work on the behavioral possibilities. Think like a cat and you'll come up with the solution.

Article Source: http://www.109b.com/artdash

About the author: Kurt Schmitt publishes Cat Lovers Only as a reference for pet owners. See the site for the more causes of a cat litter box problem and a longer version of this article.
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