Addressing Litter Box Issues: Tips and Solutions
Dealing with litter box problems can be one of the most frustrating aspects of cat ownership. If your cat is avoiding their litter box, it can lead to stress for both of you. Before considering the difficult decision of rehoming your cat, it’s important to explore all potential solutions. If your vet has ruled out medical issues (like urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and diabetes), the problem is likely behavioral. Here are some additional tips to help restore harmony to your home.
Evaluate the Litter Box
Ensure that the litter box meets your cat's preferences. It should be:
Large enough for your cat to comfortably move around.
Cleaned regularly. Stainless steel litter boxes are easier to clean and don’t hold in odors like regular plastic litter boxes.
Filled with an appropriate litter type that your cat likes.
Some cats prefer covered litter boxes, while others prefer open ones. Additionally, if your cat has been declawed, litter can actually hurt their paws. Consider switching to a softer litter, such as World’s Best Cat Litter, which is gentler on their paws compared to clay or crystal litter. We exclusively use World’s Best at our cat cafe, and we absolutely love it!
World’s Best Cat Litter ‘Good Habits’
This multiple-cat clumping litter combines the long-lasting power of corn with natural, plant-based ingredients that will attract your cats to the litter box. This formula is perfect for newly adopted cats, kittens, senior cats, or any fussy feline!
Upgrade to a Stainless Steel Litter Box
Ditch the plastic litter box and upgrade to a stainless steel one! It doesn’t trap odors and it’s much easier to clean.
Increase Litter Box Accessibility
Make sure the litter box is easily accessible for your cat. Place it in a quiet, low-traffic area where your cat feels safe and secure. If you have multiple floors, provide litter boxes on each level of your home.
Provide Multiple Litter Boxes
If you have multiple cats, it's essential to have a sufficient number of litter boxes. The general rule is one litter box per cat, plus an extra one. Cats can be territorial about their litter boxes, so having multiple options can help reduce conflicts.
Clean Soiled Areas Thoroughly
Clean any areas where your cat has urinated outside the litter box. Use an enzymatic cleaner specifically designed for pet urine to eliminate the scent. Avoid using ammonia-based cleaners as they can resemble the smell of urine and encourage your cat to repeat the behavior.
If your cat has been urinating on the carpet, we recommend pulling up the carpet for a thorough cleaning. Remove and replace the soiled section of the underpad, and clean the subfloor with an enzymatic cleaner before reinstalling the underpad and carpet. This method provides the deepest clean and reduces the chance of repeat incidents.
Nature's Miracle Cat Urine Destroyer Plus Enzymatic Cleaner
A multi-surface cleaner that can be used on carpets, hard floors, furniture, fabrics and more. It is tough on cat urine stains and odors.
Minimize Stress
Cats are sensitive to changes in their environment, so try to identify any stressors and address them. Provide a consistent routine, ensure there’s enough mental and physical stimulation, and offer hiding spots or elevated areas for your cat to retreat to. If you suspect your cat is stressed, talk to your vet about medications that might help them feel less anxious. Below are a few over-the-counter options for you to consider. As always, talk to your vet prior to starting your cat on any new supplements or medications.
Comfort Zone Calming Diffusers
This is a great, drug-free solution that simply plugs into a wall outlet. Each refill lasts up to 30 days. Place them near where your cat spends the most time (i.e. cat bed, window, or a couch).
Feliway Calming Spray
This calming spray mimics a mother’s pheromones to reduce your cat’s stress naturally. Use directly on areas that your cat marks, or use it anywhere your cat hangs out.
Jackson Galaxy ‘Safe Space for Cats’ Supplement
A gentle, herbal solution helps reassure your cat her territory is safe and reduce inappropriate stress reactions. Uses a proprietary blend of cat-safe flower essences. Simply add to food or water, mist into the air with a spray bottle, apply to a favorite toy or simply let the drops fall onto the fur or paws.
Behavior Modification
Use positive reinforcement to encourage desired behavior. Reward your cat with treats or praise when they use the litter box correctly. If you catch them in the act of urinating outside the box, calmly interrupt the behavior and redirect them to the litter box.
To Wrap Things Up…
Resolving litter box issues can take time and patience. It's essential to remain calm and avoid punishing or scolding your cat, as it may worsen the problem. The issue with rehoming without resolving the litter box issue is that some shelters actually put cats down instead of trying to resolve the problem. We encourage you to try these tips before making any rehoming efforts.