Yes, it's possible to teach a cat how to use your toilet, a topic I'll deal with in a future column, but the vast majority of cat lovers setup kitty pans filled with that glorious invention -- kitty litter. Fortunately, most cats instinctively use their litter box, but sometimes a problem will arise and when that happens, even the most dedicated cat lover has little patience with a cat that doesn't use its litter box. Yet patience is the key to litter box success.
If your cat doesn't use her litter box, then you've got a problem. The best approach is to study the situation carefully because cats are very clean and usually the reason can be corrected with a few adjustments.
First of all, It's important for your cat to be able to easily access the litter box. If you have a large home, put litter boxes in several locations, especially if your house has many levels. Each floor should be equipped with a litter box. As in real estate, location is crucial to your cat successfully using the litter box. The best spot offers your cat a certain amount of privacy, but not so out of the way that you forget to clean it. If you put the litter box in a seldom-used closet, be sure to use a hard-rubber stop to keep the door open, or install a pet door so your cat can go in and out when required.
Some cats will avoid a "dirty" litter box, so you may have to scoop out feces and wet litter on a daily basis. Also, if you completely empty and replace the litter at least once a week, your cat is less likely to avoid the box. Remember, it's not necessary to be too generous with the litter because most cats prefer a shallow layer of about two inches.
There are as many brands of kitty litter to choose from as there are stars in the sky, so it may be that your cat just doesn't like the type of litter you're using. I use clumping, unscented kitty litter with great success, but some cats just won't use clumping litter. You might try experimenting with several types.
Here's a quick overview:
Clay: Inexpensive and easy to use and find, however a major drawback is the dust it creates -- not particularly healthy for you or your cat.
Shredded newspaper: If you get a daily newspaper, you have an abundance of available litter. However, most cats like to dig in their litter and so they may reject newspaper.
Clumping Litter: As far as I'm concerned, clumping litter is the best invention since sliced bread. Since the urine clumps the litter into a scoopable ball, it's easy to clean and a quality clumping litter may also diminish odor problems. The down side is that the litter tends to stick to the box, making cleaning more of an effort. Some manufactures tout the diminished odor aspect of their litter, stating you won't have to clean the litter box as often, which is just not true. Clean the litter as often as you can no matter what the packaging says. Also, clumping litters can cause serious and costly damage to plumbing so don't flush it down the toilet.
Flushable Litters: This type is convenient for owners who keep the litter boxes in bathrooms. Since these biodegradable flushable litters are usually made of recycled materials, they are easily flushed.
No matter which cat litter you choose, there's one simple rule -- if it works, stick with it.
If you have more than one cat, it's essential that you have more than one litter box. Cats are very particular and many of them won't eliminate in a "used" litter box. The general rule of thumb is to have one litter box per cat.
Location is important, of course. Sudden noises, or lack of privacy can often scare a cat from using a litter box, so you might try moving it to a different spot that allows a reasonable amount of privacy away from the noises of family life.
It's important to never punish your cat for having an accident. The problem is, she won't make the connection unless you catch her in the act. Even then, punishment only creates fear of you, not a desire to change behavior. Use an enzyme-based cleaner to remove the smell of the accident. This will help prevent future soiling in that spot.
If you notice that accidents happen in the same place over and over, try putting a litter box there. It's very possible that your cat prefers this spot for reasons no human will ever understand. If accidents usually happen when your cat has free run of the house or while you are away, you might try keeping her confined to one room until you can watch her. However, be sure to provide food, water, and that all-important litter box in whatever room you place her in.
As a cat gets older, they may begin to have accidents even If they've used the litter box successfully for several years. This may be a sign of possible urinary tract or a kidney infection, so it's best to have your veterinarian examine her as soon as possible.
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Glenn Cutforth is a writer, eBook publisher and graphic designer.
Visit his websites at: The Complete Cat.com and Self-Help and Wellness.com
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Published by Glenn Cutforth on December 10, 2005 10:14 AM
