Litter Boxes 101: Toilet Tips
You just got a new cat or two and, obviously, it’s the happiest day of your life. You wake up in the middle of the night to discover they’ve peed all over that pile of clothes on the floor that you swore you were gonna get to yesterday!
Maybe you’ve had your cat for years and all of the sudden they started having accidents or perhaps they’ve been purposefully marking. Whatever the situation, their pees and poos hold the clues to underlying issues that we must uncover
👩⚕️Rule out Medical Conditions
Since there are many health problems that can cause cats to stop using their box, the first place to go when you notice sudden behavioral changes is your vet. Urinary issues cause pain when your cat uses the box, giving them a negative association with it. If the issue goes on long enough, you may need the assistance of a cat behaviorist like myself to help your cutie stop being afraid of the box
💩Check your litter box setup
You live with a roommate who is currently having a snooze on the couch and you desperately need to pee. You leave your room and shuffle like a penguin, cursing under your breath as you make your way to the shared bathroom. You begin to cross the threshold, but stop short as you discover the toilet has overflowed and there is definitely something floating in that potty water. You flick the switch, the ventilation fan sputters, the light barely flickers. Looks like the open doorway is your only source of light now, pal. Defeated, you slink off to your bedroom, where you know you will be safe from prying eyes. You urinate into a glass at your bedside table and hide it under your bed. You make a mental note to pour it down the sink later when no one’s home. You remember, and no one ever finds out, your plan was perfect
This situation is much like how your cat feels if they have to choose between a dark and stinky, or otherwise undesirable litter box, except since they have no thumbs to hold a glass, they’ll just pee somewhere else they feel safe. What’s the solution? Build a glass that cats can hold!
Jk, you gotta make sure you have the proper litter setup for your cat! There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but there are some guidelines to help both you and your cat feel as comfortable as possible when it comes to toilet time.
If your cat has particularly poor potty procedures or if you’d like my guidance and support in all things feline, schedule an appointment or contact me!
🚽Toilet Tips
Have at least 1 box per cat in the home +1 extra. That means if you have 2 cats, you should have 3 litter boxes. Cats like a clean box and they like options!
Use uncovered litter boxes that are large enough for your cats to turn around in. This will ensure they color inside the lines. You might think a high-sided or top-entry box will solve all your problems, but they’re hard on cats who are older or less physically able. I’m a big fan of the Lucky Champ litter box, as it is easy for cats of all sizes and abilities to use and is almost impossible to tip over
Keep your litter boxes clean! Scoop at least once daily to ensure the litter is clear of solids, and try to replace the litter completely once or twice a week, depending on use.
No box liners, cats hate em!
No scents - Litter boxes smell bad, but understand that scented litters, deodorants, and air fresheners are very overpowering and unpleasant to cats, often causing them to avoid the area altogether. My current favorite litters are Frisco Grass Clumping Litter and Feline Pine (use the Feline Pine Litter Box or the Arm & Hammer Pet Mate to sift sawdust away from the pellets). If you are keeping the boxes clean and still need something to help with the scent, try something unscented like Natures Miracle Litter Box Odor Destroyer
Place your litter boxes in several areas the cat likes to hang out in, since the litter box is a very significant source of scent and helps the cat feel that their territory is secure. This is especially important in a multi-cat household. You’re not going to like it, but this probably means in your living room, kitchen, and bedroom. Keep the boxes clean and I promise it won’t be as bad as you think
Speaking of placement, make sure the box isn’t in a corner, behind a chair, or anywhere else that your cutie might feel trapped. If they are an only pet, you might be able to get away with hiding the box a bit, but keep in mind that cats prefer to have more than one escape route from any given situation. If there is only one entrance, it is likely your cat will mark it as their territory to feel safer
Humans have tried to cover up the stink of litter boxes by overwhelming our cats with odors, automated apparatuses, and claustrophobia-causing covers. Any one of these things can make your cuties start eliminating outside the box, and isn’t it ironic, don’t ya think? It’s like raaaaeeeeaaaiiiinnnn… Sorry about that
🆘Get Help
As I mentioned previously, there is no one-size-fits all solution yet, but if you have tried everything above and still can’t get your sweetie to stop soiling your stuff, please schedule an appointment or contact me. I offer online, on-the-phone, and in-person services and I’d love to help you out! 😸
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Have a story you’d like to share, questions about this article, or a completely different behavioral issue that I haven’t addressed? Let me know in the comments!
