Cats are creatures of habit and will normally use the box once trained. If, however, your cat learns to associate a bad experience with the box, she may stop using it. The problem, contrary to popular belief, may be a physical one that she just can't control.
Here are four good reasons your cat won't use the box.
1. Painful Urination - any medical condition that causes a cat pain while urinating will create a bad association. Since your cat can't hold it forever, she's going to urinate somewhere other than the box at some point. Often, once cats go in a spot, they will return to that spot until you completely remove the odor and/or retrain the cat.
2. Pain During Bowel Movements - if, for example, your cat is painfully constipated she will associate pain with the litter box. When she is finally able to go, it may be on the kitchen floor, instead of in the box.
3. Painful Joints and Muscles - if your cat can't get in and out of the litter box without experiencing pain, she won't want to use it. If there is anything causing her pain while squatting, or getting in and out of the box, it could mean trouble. Injuries, arthritis, or some other painful joint condition could create a cat litter box problem.
4. Limited Range of Motion - it's possible that your cat may not be able to climb up into the litter box. If you have an older cat, or injury or disease has limited her movement, she won't be able to use the box.
Many readers believe that litter box problems are always behavioral. I hope this article has shed some light on other possibilities. If your cat is having a physical problem that you are unaware of, your vet can help sort that out.
Once you determine the source of the problem is pain, then your vet can come up with a treatment plan. The treatments will vary for depending upon the underlying cause. Some retraining for your cat will probably be required. Just make sure to exercise a lot of patience while your cat readjusts.
If a mobility problem is at fault, there may be some things you can do to help. Make it easy on your cat by getting a low litter box so your cat doesn't have to step too high into it. Also, a large box that is easy to move around in would be better. Depending upon your situation, your vet may have a treatment to help your cat's mobility problem.
Remember, a cat litter box problem that has a physical cause is usually fixable, once the cause is identified by your vet. Anything that causes your cat to associate an unpleasant experience with the box needs to be addressed right away. If you catch these problems early on, they are much easier to handle.
Q:I have a 7 year olf half Himalyan and half Persian being white in color. We acquired her approx. 4-5 years ago. We've moved several times and she has adapted well. Just since Hurricane Rita, 1 year ago and our whole floors throughout the house have been changed to hardwood. The cat urinates and defacates all over the floor right beside her litter box. We had the electric one and got rid of it, thinking she was scared and now we have an open box one and she still uses the bathroom outside of the box. We don't know what else to try.
A:Thanks for your question.It is quite a common problem you have. Cats can get an aversion to their litter trays for a number of reasons. If it has being going on for a year then I agree that it does sound like a behavioural problem now, although there may be some medical reasons contributing.
Changes in litter tray shape, depth, and design certainly can put a cat off using them, as can any changes to the cat litter that you are using; and also where you place the tray. Cats are very unforgiving and rival elephants when it comes to memory and holding grudges. If she has been put off using the tray then it may take some time to encourage her back.
Medically, conditions such as cystitis may be causing pain during urination which she is blaming on the litter tray, joint and muscle pain can also put her off that extra bit of effort. Even if she's had a recent medical it would be worth letting the vet reexamine once you have explained her problem so they can rule out some of the common causes.
If the original cause has been and gone (ie. stress, environment changes etc) then the next step is to get her back into the swing of using the litter box. Make sure the litter tray is the same as the old one (not the scary electric one) with the same litter. Consider adding a second litter tray somewhere new, where she can get some privacy.
Your vet may be able to help further, I use a product called Feliway, which replicates the facial pheromones of the cat (the ones that they rub onto your leg when they greet you!) this helps to reduce stress and generally make cats feel better about things. There also various behavioural modifying drugs available but I wouldnt reach for these just yet.You didnt mention whether she was allowed outside, if she is then check that there isn't anything out there that might be upsetting her.
If all else fails then there are lots of behavioural specialists out there who may be able to help, your vet should be able to refer you to one.
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