Cat Litter Box Problems -- Behavioral Causes

There may be more than one cause of cat litter box problems, but they come from one of two categories. This problem is either physical, or behavioral. You should note that if you're dealing with a physical cause, that you're probably going to have to address a behavioral one as well.

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.

The first step here is to have a consultation with your vet. Always assume that your cat has a physical problem as the cause, unless your vet says otherwise.

I recently had a dialog with a reader who thought that maybe her cat was constipated. I agreed that it might be that, but that she should talk to her vet. It turned out that her cat had impacted anal glands, a condition which requires treatment, sometimes more than once.

Once your vet says your cat's problem does not have a physical cause, then you assume that your litter box problems are behavioral. Let's see if we can think of some behavioral reasons for why your cat won't use the litter box.

1. Dirty 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 your 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 Odor -- certain cat litters don't sit well with certain cats. Unscented litters of different brands still have a particular odor which some cats may not like. Different types of litter exhibit unique odors as well. You may have to try different brands and different types until you find just the right one for your cat.

4. Litter Type -- your cat may be turned off by the type of cat litter you use. Also, try not to switch litters too quickly. When changing litters, try adding 20 percent new litter to 80 percent old, and then increasing the amount of new litter over several days until you're at 100 percent new litter. If you've changed litter types too quickly, go back to the old and do things slowly.

5. Type of Litter Box -- the size, shape, and type of box may make a difference to your cat and contribute to litter box problems. Hooded boxes may prevent litter spill over, but some cats may prefer not to be closed in. On the other hand, your cat might like the privacy of high walls, and some will like a larger box. Have you recently changed litter boxes? Perhaps this is the problem.

6. Box Quantity -- another cause of a cat litter box problem relates to multi-cat households. Remember the one plus one rule when selecting how many boxes you'll need. One box for each cat, plus one extra so that there is always a free box to use, no waiting. Having more boxes also keeps each box a little cleaner, which makes your job easier. Some single cat households may also benefit from this, as some cats will not use the same box twice in a short time frame. This sometimes results in readers asking... "how come my cat uses the box for number one, and a few minutes later goes number two on the floor right next to it?"

7. Location Choice -- as in real estate, when it comes to litter boxes, it's location location location! In some cases, you just can't find a good spot for the box, and you'll have to do your best. If your cat is not pleased with the location of the box, however, she may stop using it. Always try to keep the box in a low noise and low traffic area. Busy areas like laundry rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens are usually not good places.

8. Territorial Disputes -- multi-cat households pose unique problems, and cats sometimes fight over territory, even when they normally get along. Some cats like to sneak up on others when they're using the box and pounce. My cat Teddie likes to start fights with her sister Frankie when Frankie is trying to use the box. If one of your cats keeps getting attacked every time she's in the box, she may grow to hate it. Keep to the one plus one rule to help avoid this situation.

9. Stress -- stress is a leading cause of litter 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. In fact, inappropriate elimination is the number one reason adult cats are brought to shelters. 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 work with your vet and you'll come up with the solution.

Having litter box problems? Want to post your question and get help from other cat owners? Get free advice on cat litter box problems and many other cat health and care issues. Copyright 2008 by Kurt Schmitt.