By Dr. Jennifer Goetz
What is the ideal litter box situation for cats?
- One more litter box station than number of cats (1 cat = 2 stations, 2 cats = 3 stations)
- At least one litter box station per floor of the home
- Inside the home, not the garage or screened-in porch: cats prefer A/C and heat in their bathrooms just like we do!
- Uncovered: often a large, deep clear bin is best!
- Unscented litter with no scented materials added
- Clay clumping litter
- Everclean unscented clumping litter preferred in studies
Two litter boxes next to teach other equals one station. Multiple stations mean different locations.
Keep litter boxes away from scary noises, food, and water.Some cats prefer a lot of privacy, and some prefer to be near people.
Scoop one to two times daily.
Do not use bleach or scented cleaners to clean the box. Unscented dish detergent works nicely. Boxes with clumping litter that are scooped often do not need to be thoroughly cleaned out.
Why do cats urinate or defecate outside the box?
- Underlying medical causes such as urinary tract infections, diabetes, constipation, kidney disease, etc. should be always ruled out first! Be sure to visit the vet.
- Stress or anxiety is a common cause: moving, new pets, new people, outside animals, construction, or other outside noises in the area.
- Improper litter (e.g. pine, newspaper, light-weight litter, breeze boxes, automatic cleaning boxes, etc.) can often be less than ideal for kitties. If they have consent to use it for months or years, they may finally decide that they hate it. Or cats can simple be fickle and change their litter box preferences!
- Dirty litter boxes are a big turn-off. Some cats will not use a litter box if the other cat used it; no one wants a stinky toilet.
- Improper litter boxes are another common issue: closed boxes, boxes that are too small, boxes that are too tall for arthritic or obese cats, etc. Preferences can also change over time. Plus, as cats get larger, fatter, or older, their needs change.
- Do not use bleach or smelly cleaners on the litter box; that will make the cat more likely to return to the spot outside the box.
- Cleaning soiled areas inappropriately bothers cats. Everything the kitty urinates or defecates on outside the box needs to be cleaned with an enzymatic cleaner. Cleaners such as Urine Away remove the odor so a cat cannot smell it.
How can I know if my cat needs a new litter box or to see a vet?
Any cat with a medical condition must be treated first! Cats hide their symptoms of disease because they think like wild animals—sick animals are lunch. A thorough physical exam, lab work, and urinalysis are important. Diarrhea, blood in the urine, and crying while urinating or defecating are all examples of things that are never normal.
A cat urinating or defecating next to a litter box usually means there is something about the box the cat does not like. Remember that needs and preferences can change over time.
Behavior therapy can help you decide what to do for kitty!
Some solutions may include adding extra boxes, ruling out stress or anxiety factors, environmental enrichment, and more. We cannot know the cause of inappropriate elimination until we know the kitty and the environment.
One rule is to never, never change the current box. If you are trying something different, always add a new box next to the old one. This will help you determine what might be bothering your cat and your cat’s unique preferences in litter boxes.
What are some other things that may help?
Anything that helps anxiety can help cats want to use the litter box. There are many ways to help prevent and treat anxiety in cats. Here are a few examples…
- Environmental enrichment—vertical climbing surfaces, cat trees, varied toys
- Safe resting areas away from other pets
- Litter box area away from humans and other pets
- Quiet places to be socialized with people
- Quiet places away from people
- Keeping outdoor animals away from the home
- Drowning out outside noises; keeping the radio or television on
- Feliway calming pheromone spray