By Mike Taylor
Many times cat owners are at a loss as to why their cat doesn'tuse their litter box. Here are some great tips that can help yousolve the problem.
The litter box is the first thing you should check. It shouldbe in a quiet, private area of the house. Many people put themin their basements and leave the door open a little as this notonly creates a private environment but also keeps odors to aminimum in the rest of the house.
Some use a closet but if you do this be sure and keep the boxclean to reduce odors in such a confined space and don’t forgetto leave the door open!
Another placement possibility is under a table. Many peoplefind a place without carpeting is best from a maintenance pointof view as tile or cement is a lot easier to clean.
Ask yourself if you changed the litter box in any way:
* Has the box been moved to a high traffic area recently? *Does the box need cleaning? * Is a new litter being used or doesit have too heavy a scent (clumping and unscented is best). *Has the depth of the litter in the box changed? Some cats liketheir litter deep, others shallow. * Your cat has outgrown thebox and needs a larger one. * The box is too hard to enter andexit. This can be an issue for older cats.
Do not put food and water near the litter box. Cats like thesetwo areas kept separate (don’t you?).
If your cat has picked out a particular room to soil tryclosing the door to that room if you can or cover the targetarea with furniture.
Put a bowl of food over the target area as cats like to keeptheir eating area away from their “bathroom”.
Take your cat to the Vet on a regular basis.
If you have more than one cat get each one of them their ownlitter box.
Have you recently moved? A cat might smell an area where theprevious owner’s cat urinated.
Let the cat alone while it goes so it can have some privacy.
If it is a new cat in your home it could take from three toeight weeks to get adjusted to the new environment. Be patient!
Was there a recent addition or loss to the family? A new baby,spouse? This is usually temporary until the cat adjusts to thechange in their environment.
A change in your schedule can throw off your cat's schedule aswell and cause problems. Try and phase in major lifestylechanges gradually.
NEVER EVER punish the cat by kicking, hitting, chasing,screaming or rubbing their nose in their urine (remember thesmell doesn’t bother them). Cats cannot make the cause andeffect connection like we can so punishment after the fact isuseless and will only make matters worse.
Cats are naturally very clean animals and they know where theyare going. It is important to remember this and try and helpyour cat overcome any stress or anxiety they might be having ina caring and loving manner.
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