Tips for when Your Cat Is Not Using Her Litter Box

Cats make wonderful pets because they are affectionate, loyal and need very little maintenance. Cats are small enough that they can live happily in an apartment without feeling the need to go out especially if you have her trained to use the litter box. However, training is not always easy so, here are some tips and suggestions that can help with a cat that is not using her litter box.

Location

The cat not using its litter box may have a problem with where the litter box is placed. Like humans, cats like to go in a quiet, un-populated place to do its needs and if you place the litter box in hall or reception area where all sorts of noises can be heard or where people frequently move around, your cat may not use the litter box because she may feel disturbed every time she tries to use it.

A good location is the balcony, if you have one or a guest bathroom which you know will not get too noisy and can offer your pet some privacy.

Keep the Litter Box Clean

Cats are extremely clean even if they don’t like water very much; you may have noticed they clean themselves all the time by licking their fur. A reason for the cat not using a litter box may be because its box is dirty. A good way to deal with this issue especially if you are not home during the day is to get litter boxes that automatically clean themselves or if you are at home many boxes so you can replace them once your cat has used it.

Cats, as most animals have very strong sense of smell and if the litter box is not dirty but your cat is still not using it the reason may be because the litter has some scent she or he may dislike or affect his or her ability to use it. Get an odorless litter box and see how your cat reacts to it.

Other Helpful Tips for a Cat Not Using its Litter Box

When you first introduce your cat to the litter box you must make sure you take her there repeatedly in order for her to understand what you are trying to do. Cats are very intelligent but not as intelligent as dogs and it may take them a little longer to follow your directions. Be patient and if nothing works try confining your cat to an area until she is ready to use to litter box.

A cat not using its litter box can be for a variety of reasons and you must explore them carefully unless you want a messy home. A kitten will learn faster then an adult cat especially if the adult cat has never used a litter box before but they will learn in the end with the right coaching from you.