Owners with new cats are always getting this same problem everywhere. It’s the most common problem to face when bringing a new cat inside the house especially if they are still very young. It’s nothing to worry about, because with a little bit of effort you can have your cat using the litter box in no time. Your cat’s business belongs in the box, not on your floor or on your furniture.
Usually, cats would enjoy using a litter box because it’s in their nature to bury their feces underneath things like sand or dirt, but when they start doing it on your bed, your couch, and other areas that you really don’t want them ruining, then that is when you really start having a problem.
Remember, there are always reasons as to why your cat behaves the way it does such as, cat not using litter box. Many reasons, so don’t get mad immediately. Things like this are normal. Keep in mind that it is not recommended for you to punish your pets for things that they can’t help but do, it would only increase your cat’s stress levels and in result, make them do it more often.
First step: more than one cat?
If so, you need to find out which one is really the culprit behind all the poop and pee lying around in your house. You need to find out who did it so that it would be easier for you to choose which of your cats need to be taught where they need to drop their business in. When the culprit is unmasked (hopefully not all of them), it is time to train.
Find just the right litter box
Cats are very picky creatures, they want things to be the way they like it and if it’s not… well then expect for it not to be used. To make your cat use the litter box, you need to find just the right one for them, something that they would be comfortable in using. Something not too high, not too small, not too big, not too hard, and so much more. There are many specifics as to what kind of litter box your cat would like, and what you need to do is just find the right one.
A clean litter box is a good litter box
Cats are graceful creatures in the night, who also enjoy having things very clean. In fact, they even spend two thirds of their lives just grooming themselves alone. So when things are dirty, they wouldn’t really like it. Make sure to clean the litter box as often as you can, and if you’re interested, even soap it with a dull fragrance to make it fancy. A clean toilet is a good toilet.
The litter box’s location
Where is your cat’s litter box located? Is it too far from where your cat usually likes to go? Is it right next to a noisy area? Is it too hard to get to, or is it just in a place where your kitty doesn’t like to go into? Try changing the litter box’s location to somewhere your cat would find much easier to get to, or a place that doesn’t have any strong smells or any loud noises.
Not enough litter boxes
If you have more than one cat, you would need to give each of them a litter box of their own. Try not to put the litter boxes in the same room, try to keep them separate. Cats are very territorial and cautious creatures, and when going to the loo, they are at their most vulnerable times and are at risk of being pounced on or attacked. Having separate litter boxes would reduce their stress levels and allow them to do their business without fear of other predators or competition.
Litter box trauma
Like I said before, it’s not good to punish your pets too much for pooping or peeing outside of their litter box, because it would just make things worse. Your cat might associate the litter box with a past experience that they really didn’t like, for example: they were punished for not using the litter box and thus were forced to go onto the box as their owner yelled at them. A trauma like that would make them avoid the litter box at all costs.
Getting your cat to use the litter box is not a big problem if you just follow the steps gently, and remember to be nice to your little kitty at all times. It doesn’t take much to be kind, so love you pet with all you have.
If ever you do follow these instructions, then try to expect a change in your cat’s behavior sooner or later.
If you have followed these instructions, and still have not seen a difference in their actions, contact your veterinarian. There might be something medically wrong with your cat’s health, resulting in them leaving urine and feces everywhere inside of your home.
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