My Cat Won't Use the Litter Box!
When Kitty does her business outside the litter box, it is not to spite or punish you. She's probably sick or under stress, or the box may not be clean enough. To correct the problem, you must first determine its cause. See your vet to rule out a medical condition. A painful urinary-track problem such as cystitis can cause a cat to urinate all over the house. A digestive problem or an intestinal parasite may explain her diarrhea or her frequent defecation in the wrong places.
If the problem turns out to be behavioral, consider the following causes, which are easily remedied:
- Is the box in a highly trafficked area? Move it to a secluded spot - cats like privacy too. (Also, they're creatures of habit, so keep it in the same place once you've moved it.)
- Have you recently changed brands of litter? Your cat may not use for the scent or consistency of the new litter. Buy her preferred brand and stick with it.
- Is the litter box kept clean and odor-free? Negligence on the owner's part is the most common reason for litter-box lapses. Clean the box and replace the litter every other day, or daily if you have more than one cat. Better yet, give each animal her own box. Scoop out solid waste between cleanings.
Behavioral training can also help break this habit. Praise your cat to give her positive reinforcement when she goes back to using the litter box. Never scold her while she's using it, or she'll associate a negative feeling with the box.