To use the Litter Box or Not to use the Litter Box?

That is the Question.

Now follow me and lets explore why sometimes you might have litter box issues in your Village.

This can be confusing to a cat owner when your villager does not use the litter box.

Cats are creatures that are very attentive and concerned about accuracy and detail. That is most evident in their Litter box habits. When your cat won’t use the litter box the cause could be anything from an unclean box to an illness.

Before you try some easy strategies to get her back in the litter box, have her checked out by a veterinarian to rule out a health problem.

If you’ve just introduced a new cat to your household, make sure the litter box is as cat-friendly as possible to prevent a problem in the future. Some common litter box problems could be stopping your villager from using the box like:

An unclean litter box,
Too few litter boxes for the number of  cats in the household
A cramped litter box

A litter box with a hood or liner
A litter box with sides that are high
Too much litter in the box, A conflict with another cat in the household
An uncomfortable location that doesn’t allow for privacy and multiple escape routes A change in the kind of litter your use

Your Villager could have a medical problem that makes urinating too painful.

Some common conditions which can affect litter box usage are:

Urinary tract infection. If your villager frequently enters her litter box but produces small amounts of urine, she may have a urinary tract infection.

Feline interstitial cystitis. Feline interstitial cystitis is a complex disease that causes inflammation of the bladder. It can cause a cat to eliminate outside the litter box because of the urgency to urinate.

Bladder stones or blockage. If your cat has bladder stones or a blockage, she may frequently enter her litter box. She may also experience pain and mew or cry when she tries to eliminate. Her abdomen may be tender to the touch.

If your veterinarian ruled out a health problem you can make a few changes.

Hear at Kitty Village we use Feline Pine.

Feline Pine is one variety of natural litter made of sanitized and pressed wood pulp. These pellets absorb moisture and eliminate odors without the use of artificial colors or scents. It comes in clumping and non-clumping varieties, and has been formulated to reduce dust. Feline Pine is also flush able and can be disposed of safely outdoors.

• Scoop and change your villagers litter at least once a day.
• Thoroughly rinse out the box with baking soda or unscented soap once a week.
• Use less litter. Villagers like a shallow bed of litter. No more than two inches deep.
• Use a larger litter box.
• Use clumping, unscented litter of a medium to fine texture or the litter she used as a kitten. You could try putting a few clean boxes side by side, each with a different type of litter, to see which one your villager prefers.
• Don’t use box liners or lids.
• Try a self-cleaning box, which is generally cleaner than a traditional litter box.
• Move the litter box to a quiet, low-light location where your villager is able to see anyone approaching and can escape quickly. The litter box should be out of sight of her food and water dishes.
• Add a few litter boxes in different locations, all of which have multiple escape routes. Make sure that children or other animals don’t have access to the boxes.
• If your villager is old or arthritic, use a litter box with low sides so she can climb in easily.
• Provide a litter box for each of your cats, plus one extra. If you live in a multi-story residence, place a box on each level.
• If you have several villagers and can’t figure out which isn’t using the litter box, you can ask your veterinarian for fluorescence, a harmless dye that makes urine glow blue under ultraviolet light for 24 hours. You’ll need a UV light to shine into the litter box to see which cat is using the box. The dye must be given (usually in food) to each cat, of coarse one at a time.
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If your cat has gone and developed a preference for going on another surface or location, you need to make that location unappealing.

You can place tin foil, upside down carpet runners or double sided sticky tape to keep your villager off that location.

Do not do the following if your villager has a litter box problem.

Do not rub her nose in urine or feces.

Do not scold her and carry or drag her to the litter box.

Do not confine her to a small room with the litter box, without first trying other methods for resolving her elimination problem.

Do not place the litter box near the place where pets eat or drink.

Do not give her TREATS to entice her to use the litter box. Cats don’t want to be disturbed while they are eliminating. However, you can place toys and treats near the box to help her overcome her aversion to the box.

Remember to clean up accidents with an enzyme cleanser to neutralize the scent.

If all else fails despite your efforts you may want to contact an animal behaviorist.

Remember it is all about patience and not punishment. So good luck with your Villager.

Thank you for reading Kitty Village News.

S&B