Nearly one in every 10 cats will demonstrate an aversion to the litter box at one point or another. If your cat is eliminating outside of her box and making a mess on your floors and carpets, it’s time to act! Here, your Waterdown, ON veterinarian tells you about five reasons your cat might be avoiding her bathroom:
Not Clean Enough
You don’t like doing your business in a filthy restroom—neither does your cat. If you don’t scoop out your cat’s litter box often enough, she may decide to avoid it altogether! We recommend scooping out your cat’s waste on a daily basis, adding a bit of fresh litter to the box to replace that which you’ve removed, and changing the litter entirely on a weekly basis. This will ensure that things stay fresh and that your cat continues to use her bathroom.
Poor Placement
Your cat might be avoiding her litter box because she doesn’t like where it’s placed. Cats don’t like to be disturbed while using the bathroom; who can blame them? Don’t put the litter box in a noisy, crowded area with a lot of foot traffic from other family members or pets. Instead, place it in a quiet, out-of-the-way location where Fluffy can use it in peace. In most homes, a bathroom, basement, or laundry room works best.
Too Close to Food
As a general rule, don’t place your cat’s box close to her food and water dishes. Cats have been known to shun their bathroom, or stop eating and drinking, if the two areas are in close proximity! To be safe, keep these areas separated completely.
Too Many Cats
Do you have multiple cats in your home? Not all felines enjoy sharing a bathroom! While cats can learn to share a litter box, it’s best to err on the side of caution, especially at first. The rule to follow is simple: keep one litter box per cat. This will help avoid any kind of territorial behavior, and keep all of your feline friends happy.
Injury or Illness
If you still can’t seem to pinpoint a reason why your cat is shunning her bathroom, it’s time to set up an appointment at the vet’s office. Your cat might be suffering from an injury or illness that makes it difficult for her to reach the box!
Call your Waterdown, ON animal hospital to schedule a visit.
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