Oct 10 2009
Will Your Cat Use the Litter Box?
Sometimes frustration sets in when our feline companion quits using its litter box. Pee and poo in every corner of your home becomes an annoying sight to see. However, despite all the frustration, there are valid reasons your cat will not use its litter box.
Is the litterbox in a high traffic area such as the kitchen or living room? If so, move it to a quieter section of the house. Your friend might have been scared of the noise appliances such as dishwashers and TVs make, associating the noise with the litter box. Also, once moved to a quieter section of the house, clean the litter box itself. Often times, cats leave a fear scent on their litter box if they were disturbed by appliances or other items in the house that were close to it.
Does the box cause pain? If your cat was declawed, it may not want to use its litter box. The paws will be sore and tender; the sharp pebbles in the litter box will only cause increased pain on the wounds. Use more paper type pebbles in the box until your cats heals from its surgery. These pebbles can be found at most pet stores.
Does the litter box smell? Like humans, cats are very clean creatures and will not use a litter box that has not been cleaned on a regular basis. Clean out all lumps everyday; clean the box itself every couple of weeks. Try using plain water and diluted soap when cleaning it.
