There are certainly many things to love about our feline friends. Fluffy is not only absolutely adorable, she’s also very lovable, easy to care for, and lots of fun to watch and play with. Kitties are also very clean: your furball will use her litterbox to discretely do her business. However, sometimes cats develop an aversion to their private bathrooms. Before you can correct your pet’s behavior, you’ll need to figure out what’s causing it. Read on as a local Carolina Forest, SC vet discusses some common reasons for litterbox issues in kitties.
Medical Reasons
If your kitty has previously been good about using her litterbox, but has recently started avoiding it, she could have a health issue. We recommend getting your furry friend a thorough exam right away. If everything checks out, you can move on to other possible causes.
Purrsonal Preference
Kitties can be very opinionated little furballs. Your pet may develop a certain preference for a specific type of litter, or a certain kind of litterbox. Experiment a bit: set out some extra boxes with different types of litter, and see if your cat prefers one over the others. This may be a hassle, but once you get your feline pal’s taste figured out, you’ll be able to remove the additional boxes.
Location
Some kitties have some very strong opinions about where their bathrooms should be located. Make sure your cat’s powder room is in a private, quiet place that is easy for her to access, and isn’t too hot, too cold, or too loud.
Cleanliness
Cats definitely prefer clean litterboxes. We recommend scooping Fluffy’s box daily, and changing the litter completely about once a week. No one likes a dirty bathroom!
Crowding
If you have more than one cat, you should have one box per kitty, and at least one extra. Our feline companions hate sharing bathrooms!
Anxiety
Sometimes cats become afraid of their litterboxes. Never punish your furball for not using her own bathroom: this may only make Fluffy more anxious, and could make the problem even worse. If you suspect your kitty may have become nervous about her litterbox, ask your vet or a professional cat behaviorist for specific advice. Please reach out to us, your local Carolina Forest, SC animal clinic, with any questions or concerns about your kitty’s health, behavior or care. We are always here to help!
