Cat Litter Box Problem: Four Reasons Why Your Cat Won't Use The Box
There are two main categories of causes for a cat litter box problem: physical problems or behavioral issues. If your cat is experiencing difficulty, the first thing you should do is have your veterinarian rule out physical causes.
As you read this, keep in mind that your cat will form an association with her experiences, either good or bad. So, if your cat has a bad experience in the litter box, she may associate negative feelings with it. If those feelings are strong enough, perhaps due to repeated bad experiences, she may refuse to use the box at some point.
Here are four good reasons your cat won't use the box.
1. Urination Pain - if your cat has a physical problem causing her pain when she urinates, she'll learn to hate the box. When she absolutely can't hold it anymore, she'll go on your bedroom carpet. Remember that cats often return to the same spot again and again until you remove the odor!
2. Painful Bowel Movements - obviously a similar situation applies. For example, if your cat is constipated and it causes her pain to have a bowel movement, she will associate pain with the litter box. When she finally does work things out, so to speak, it may be on the living room floor instead of the box.
3. Painful Joints and Muscles - if your cat can't get in and out of the litter box without experiencing pain, she won't want to use it. If there is anything causing her pain while squatting, or getting in and out of the box, it could mean trouble. Injuries, arthritis, or some other painful joint condition could create a cat litter box problem.
4. Limited Range of Motion - it's possible that your cat may not be able to climb up into the litter box. If you have an older cat, or injury or disease has limited her movement, she won't be able to use the box.
Judging from some of the email I get, many readers think about litter box problems as being behavioral. This is simply not true. Your vet will help you determine if a physical cause is your problem.
Once you determine the source of the problem is pain, then your vet can come up with a treatment plan. The treatments will vary for depending upon the underlying cause. Some retraining for your cat will probably be required. Just make sure to exercise a lot of patience while your cat readjusts.
If a mobility problem is at fault, there may be some things you can do to help. Make it easy on your cat by getting a low litter box so your cat doesn't have to step too high into it. Also, a large box that is easy to move around in would be better. Depending upon your situation, your vet may have a treatment to help your cat's mobility problem.
Once the physical cause of a cat litter box problem is identified by your vet, you can work together to help your cat get better. Remember to address any issue that causes your cat to associate an unpleasant experience with the box as soon as possible. Catching these problems early on makes them much easier to deal with.
Kurt Schmitt is an experienced cat owner and publishes Cat Lovers Only as an aid to pet owners. See the site for the behavioral causes of a cat litter box problem and a longer version of this article.
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