Why cats don't go to the litter box

You may not believe me, but the reason why a cat doesn't go to the litter box ALWAYS turns out to be objective, explainable. "Harmful," "vindictive" and vindictive cats are a figment of the fevered imagination of owners who are tired of mopping up their pet's caustic markings.

The cat has stopped going to the litter box: an algorithm for action

Whatever the reason, if the cat defecates outside the litter box, it is impossible to tolerate it for a long time. But what if the pet behaved perfectly for many years, and the problem appeared at a late age?

Do not rush to accuse the cat of senile senility, jealousy of children and other mortal sins. Usually identifying the cause and eliminating it is not so difficult!

The first thing to do is to check if these simple rules are followed in the house:

• The number of litter boxes in the house is one more than the number of all cats;
• The size of the litter box matches the size of the cat;
• The litter box is away from food and water bowls and away from your favorite place to sleep;
• The litter box is not in a noisy place where people and other animals are constantly running around;
• The litter box has an odor-blocking filler (e.g., lumpy);
• You clean the litter box regularly and wash it periodically with soap and water before putting in fresh litter;
• You don't punish the cat if he goes to the toilet outside the litter box (this only makes the problem worse, and causes new ones).

When it comes to an aging animal, the problem can be attributed to various diseases:

• Urinary tract infections, urolithiasis must be ruled out (general urinalysis and bacterial culture, ultrasound of the bladder);
• Some diseases lead to polyuria – increased urine production, and the cat "doesn't run" to the litter box: kidney failure, diabetes, hyperthyroidism;
• Aging diseases of the spine and joints (deforming spondylosis, osteoarthritis) are the main cause of defecation in the wrong place, because it is painful for the cat to take the right position to relieve itself.

• If there are several floors in the house there should be a litter box on each floor;
• If it is difficult for a cat to climb to the litter box with high sides or toilets, you should make a special step or change the litter box to a model with low sides;
• If you have musculoskeletal disorders, consult your veterinarian for medication to ease the pain.

1) Using an unfamiliar litter

At first it is best to use the litter that the kitten is used to in her mother's home. Filler is a very intimate thing for a cat. Some may scare the kitten by smell (e.g., scented fillings) or sound (e.g., silico-gel fillings have a loud "rattle").

The kitten needs privacy during toileting, so the litter box should not be placed in a passageway – in the hallway, hallway or kitchen.

5) Strong emotions in the kitten

If at the same time that the kitten stops using the litter tray, he begins to do his business on the bed, it indicates that the kitten does not like it. This behavioral disorder is quite acceptable in the first two weeks in the new home, because the animal is under a lot of stress from the change of surroundings. You should not scold the kitten, it will only aggravate the situation and complicate the further adaptation. It is better to simply limit access to the bedroom, for example. If this behavior occurs later than two weeks, it may indicate that the kitten is disturbed. It could be jealousy of the baby, resentment of the owner, or even the onset of illness. This behavioral disorder can occur during puberty, in which case the cat should be neutered or spayed.

After eliminating the causes, it is necessary to restore the skill of using the litter tray. Cats are clean animals, so using the litter box and litter box is their natural need, dictated by their instincts. If you observe the kitten and see that he is looking for a place to relieve himself you should take him to the litter box. Usually at this time the kitten will sniff and try to dig the floor.

If you do not manage to get there in time, you need to wipe the urine with a piece of cloth, which is then placed in the litter tray. The place where the kitten peed by mistake is washed with a solution of vinegar or a special product to remove the smell of urine. During those periods when the owner is not at home, the territory of the kitten in the period of domestication to the litter box should be limited. This can be one room or even a spacious cage. If the kitten complies with your wish, he should be encouraged.

Why has the cat stopped going to the litter box?

Violation of daily hygiene rules is a clear signal of your cat's physical or psychological discomfort.

If a cat has stopped going to the litter box, it is often not a "nuisance", but a symptom of illness and an important signal for you.

A cat is one of the cleanest pets. A cat is instinctively attentive to coping with need, because in the wild, other predators can track animals by their excretions.

A domestic cat pays just as much attention to hygiene. Anyone who takes a cat into the house, of course, wants the cat to be toilet trained, to know where to go to the litter box, and to be clean. Kittens who are naturally socialized by their mother cat and by a human will have no trouble using the litter box in the future.

But what to do if the cat suddenly stops going to the litter box? What to do if the pet started to spoil furniture, beds, sofas, carpets, personal belongings?

The first thing to pay attention to is the psychological and physiological state of the animal. Some cat owners usually attribute human behavior to cats, claiming that their pets are "revengeful" or "nasty" or "show their temper". But in fact, the problem is often that the cat won't go to the litter box because it has a health problem.

The first thing the owner of a cat that has stopped going to the litter box to go to the litter box, which was previously used by it, should do is to consult a veterinarian. More often than not, the cat refuses to go to the litter box because of diseases of the genitourinary system. This can be kidney failure, urolithiasis, stones or sand in the bladder. The cat feels pain while urinating and is looking for a "softer" place. In this case you should as soon as possible collect the urine in a special medical jar, which you can buy at any pharmacy, and send it to the vet for analysis. Be sure to take your cat to the vet for a check-up.

Kitten won't go to the litter box – what to do

Mama cat teaches her offspring to bury their feces, the kitten should learn to use the litter box as intended by three months of age. If the baby "misses", refuses to go to the litter box or does it every other time – the owner will have to observe the behavior of the kitten and adjust it.

1. Insistently, but affectionately, put the little cat in the litter box immediately after eating and sleeping.
2. Buy toilet training spray and spray the litter box with it – the smell will attract the kitten and tell her what to do.
3. As soon as the baby gets worried and begins to look for a place for his affairs – calmly take him to the litter box.
4. Be sure to praise the kitten when he does everything right.
5. Don't scold or punish your baby when he fails.
6. Experiment with the place for the toilet and the type of litter.

Important!

Both adult cats and baby kittens love cleanliness – make sure the litter box and the place where it is located are hygienic. Dirt and foreign odors disturb the animals.

Patient and loving owners who listen to the desires of their pet will definitely be able to "agree" with the cat and find a compromise in such an important and delicate matter.

Why has the cat stopped going to the litter box?

There may be many reasons. For example, the cat has grown and the litter box became small or uncomfortable. Or do not like the filler, if it was changed. Or the litter box is not well washed (cats are very sensitive to odors). Also, the cat may not like the location of the litter box. For example, someone scared her when she went to the toilet, and now the cat is afraid to go to the litter box again. You can get to the bottom of the causes by going through all the options one by one and seeing how the cat's behavior changes. You can also talk to a zoopsychologist.

A cat can stop going to the litter box for many reasons: – inappropriate litter box location; – wrong litter box size; – litter box is not cleaned in time; – pet doesn't like the filler used; – recent move; – display of protest. It is important that this behavior of the cat may be a consequence of illness. We recommend that you contact your veterinarian. Read more

Either it is a symptom of some illness or the cat does not like the new filler. If you have changed the litter recently, this is probably the problem. Here vkuskorma ru/catalog/koshki/napolniteli/ good fillers can look and choose from them.

Try changing the filler. If the kitten is small and may not always reach/remember, you can move the litter box closer to the play and resting area for a while until she gets used to it.

We develop food with the special needs of cats and dogs in mind and with care for their. – 31 Oct 2021 – royalcanin.com/en

Hello. If a cat has stopped going to the litter box, it's often not his "nuisance," but a symptom of illness and an important signal to the owner.

A cat is one of the cleanest pets. It instinctively pays attention to its needs, because in the wild other predators can track animals by their excrement.

The first thing an owner of a cat that has stopped going to the designated and previously used place to go to the bathroom should do is to consult a veterinarian. More often than not, the cat refuses to go to the litter box due to diseases of the urinary tract. This can be kidney failure, urolithiasis, stones or sand in the bladder. The animal is experiencing pain while urinating and is looking for a "softer" place. In this case, you should immediately contact your veterinarian and in addition to the use of medication discuss diet therapy with him. In most cases, veterinarians prescribe a veterinary diet such as Royal Canin Urinary S/O for IBC.

The cat won't go to the litter box. Causes and solutions

Which of the owners are not annoyed with litter box lapses? Yes, it's not pleasant. But is it right to shift the responsibility entirely on the cat's "conscience" in this matter? Contrary to popular belief cats do not want to get back at their owners. The reasons for the refusal to go to the litter box are really much more. And they are caused by objective factors, rather than a desire to "fuck you up".

Poor awareness by owners of the basic principles of animal welfare means that many animals end up on the street or in a shelter if they make a mistake. In our shelter, as in other similar facilities, there are many victims of human ignorance. And, of course, we would very much like to change the situation for the better.

The litter box for cats is practically a sacred place. Observance of toilet etiquette is an essential element of a cat's comfortable existence. Animals can't talk, but obvious changes in behavior are their way of communicating that there is a problem. Therefore, you should always pay attention to malfunctions in the well-adjusted system, look for the causes and eliminate them.

So why does a cat refuse to go to the litter box, and what should be done about it?

1) Location. Cats prefer secluded places away from prying eyes. Public, too bright and open spaces for such an intimate process are categorically not suitable. Particularly shy cats will like enclosed litter boxes. If the cat is diligent about marking a particular spot, put an extra litter tray there.

2) Tray. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and configurations. For example, for kittens fit small models with low sides. The cat should fit freely in the tray, and high sides will not allow you to throw the filler around during digging. The grid is necessary for using the litter box without litter – cheap and angry, but many cats don't like this option.

How to reintroduce the cat to use the litter box

Contributor(s): Francine Miller. Francine Miller is a practicing animal behavior consultant and founder of Call Ms. Behaving, a zoopychological service in San Diego, California, that offers behavioral counseling for dogs and cats. Has over 16 years of experience, specializes in dealing with behavioral problems such as aggression, absence anxiety, phobias, fears, disruptive behavior, tendency to tag and compulsive behavior. Uses a management and behavior modification plan that relies only on positive reinforcement. Received a degree in canine behavior counseling from the American College of Applied Sciences. Completed a full course of study for her master's degree in Applied Animal Behaviorism and Family Counseling for Companion Animals at the American College of Applied Sciences. He is a certified member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and a member of the Guild of Pet Professionals.

Number of sources used in this article: 13. You will find a list of them at the bottom of the page.

Owner mistakes in the training process

Improper toilet training leads to the fact that a very young animal begins to pee in the wrong place.

Seeing a puddle on the carpet or a pile on your own pillow, the owner resorts to punishment, thinking that the little bugger should be taught a lesson. They poke the kitten with their face in the puddle, spank it, rub it by the scruff of the neck and reprimand it severely. As a result, the pet will be looking for a place to hide to go to the toilet – because for this he gets beaten! And believe me, it will not be a litter box. Rather, new puddles and piles will have to look in the closet or behind the couch.

So: although it may be difficult to resist, but to "punish" the cat in the process of accustoming to the toilet – not acceptable.

Very popular advice on the Internet: put the kitten in the litter box after meals and keep it there until it poops. Make a young cat to sit in the litter box by force – a mistake, the more so to hold by the scruff, putting him down, pushing on the rump. It is also not necessary to "dig" the litter box by clutching the kitten's paw in your hand.

If the kitten is already accustomed to the toilet, but suddenly stops using it, you need to look for other reasons:

Uncomfortable environment

It happens that the cat has to go to the bathroom "on the lookout". Once she goes down "to do business", as she is grabbed by children, or chased by a dog. In this situation, do not be surprised that the previously obedient pet began to pee under the bed.

There is only one solution: to organize a secluded place for the litter box. You can cut the cat's hole in the door of the toilet, and put the potty there. You can buy an enclosed cat litter box. You can lock the dog in a separate room until you correct his behavior.

General preventive measures

Now about general preventive measures. They are worth carrying out, regardless of whether your cat is a "recidivist pisser", or he had his first "slip" in life.

1. Once again, let me remind you about a strict verbal reprimand at the scene of the crime. It must be done while the scents are still fresh. The cat must know that he is not happy, and why.
2. Thoroughly clean up the scene so that not a single molecule of odor is left behind. In the future, this place should not cause the animal unnecessary associations with the toilet. In such cases, I use gels with chlorine, like Damestes, or a specialized product (see photo). They completely destroy the specific smell and disinfect. By the way, for regular washing of the litter box, these products are also good.

3. Immediately change the litter box. Not the fact that the failure was due to dissatisfaction with the state of the toilet, but just in case bring the four-legged men's place in order.

4. In the place where "unauthorized" went to the toilet pet, it is worth temporarily put a bowl of food. Cats almost never shit where they eat. And this method works even with chronic tailed criminals. In my family's upbringing of the four-legged family, practically all the corners and "hidden" places in the house were filled with bowls of food. And the cats eventually got rid of their bad habit.

5. As I said, physically punishing cats is not only useless, but also harmful. The pet may harbor a grudge or become even more stressed, which will only make the situation worse.

So if you're sure he's perfectly healthy and has done his dirty work for nothing, or worse, if he's a "repeat offender" in the matter, use "repellent indirect training" techniques.

For example, you can place special automatic traps, sprays, and scarecrows in "high-risk" areas. Many such devices are sold on the Chinese Aliexpress. Or put jars with scented fillers of your own making. Such as lemon and tangerine peels, as cats can't stand the pungent smell of citrus fruits. Some cat owners spray trespassers from afar with water from a spray gun, place non-hazardous but noisy objects around the house.

Extreme Measures

It happens that all of the above measures do not help, and examination of the pet showed that he is perfectly healthy and craps only by dictation of the soul.

Fortunately, not many people are ready to take drastic measures (send the cat to the shelter or something worse). In addition, the tailed parasite can simply love – in spite of everything, as they say.

For such cases there is one last, reliable, but slightly expensive remedy – diapers . .

Yes, yes, I'm not kidding. I personally know a lady with a tail who, by all accounts, has been through a lot of turmoil in her life. And after being "adopted" by kind people from the shelter, she started tagging all the corners of their apartment. At the same time the cat was kind, beautiful and affectionate – but with such a huge defect. And there was no help at all. The compassionate owners did not dare and did not want to put the animal to sleep. And no one was willing to take such a pet away, of course. Then the owners went to extreme measures – put the cat in diapers.

So now she lives – in diapers. By the way, special, for animals in pet stores are very expensive. Therefore, the owners buy her regular – the cheapest, for newborns. They just cut a hole in them for the tail and fasten it for reliability in certain places with scotch tape. Cats go to the bathroom much less often during the day than people, and you don't need to change diapers often – a couple of times a day.

Of course, diapers are not the most comfortable option for pets. But sometimes it's the only way to keep him in the family when all else fails. Well, and a way out for owners of very old cats with incontinence.

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"Cheerfulness and Prejudice," 2020.