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Cat Not Using Litter Box?
Problem Sorted

Cat Not Using Litter Box!

This can be very frustrating and frankly quite annoying! Don't get rid of your cat! There is a solution!

There is almost always a reason why a cat stops using their box. It is most certainly not to exact revenge or to make you angry. The first thing you need to do is take a look at your cat's surroundings, you will almost certainly uncover the source of the problem here.

Cat Not Using Litter Box	The Solution
A cat that soils indoors may be indicative of a medical problem such as cystitis (bladder infection), diabetes, a kidney problem, diarrhea or a parasitic infestation.	Take your cat to the vet to exclude any medical condition or illness
In the case of an adult cat, the cat box may be too small or not deep enough.	Purchase a larger and deeper cat litter box.
Kittens may be daunted by a litter box that is too large or too deep	Purchase a smaller and shallower litter box.
Proximity of litter box to the cat's food or bed.	Cats detest doing their business near their food or the area where they sleep, so move the litter box to a different spot.
Litter box is located in a high traffic area of the home.	Move the litter box to a low traffic and private location. Give the cat privacy and an area where they feel less vulnerable.
Change in the type of cat litter. Cats are fussy creatures - the new cat litter may be too rough on the paw pads, scented litter may cause the cat to sneeze and some dusty litters also affect their respiratory passages.	Revert to the original kitty litter brand or find one that is dust-free, scent-free and one with a softer texture.
Litter may be dirty, wet or tainted by the disinfectant used to clean the litter tray. A neglected cat litter box will result in the cat going elsewhere. Cats have a sensitive sense of smell and are put off by harsh odors.	Use clumping, unscented litter and scoop waste out of the litter box at least twice a day. Change the entire litter box weekly and wash the litter box with hot, non-fragranced, soapy water. It's important to wash the area where the cat has soiled with a solution of vinegar and soapy water to ensure that the cat does not return to the area.

Cat Not Using Litter Box	The Solution
Cats are territorial and do not like to share their litter box.	Give cats access to multiple litter boxes and keep the litter boxes clean at all times. If you have a hectic lifestyle and have no time to regularly clean the litter box, then consider a self-cleaning, automatic cat litter box.
The cat may not have had access to the litter box as a result of a door being inadvertently closed, thereby limiting access. This will certainly result in the cat not using litter box.	Advise your family about the location of the litter box and ensure that the door or window to that area is always open.
A hooded or covered litter box may not be to your cats liking. This may be due to a phobia of enclosed spaces or simply a case of the covered box being too small for the cat to turn around in to cover their waste	Remove the hood and if this is not possible, provide your cat with a new, un-covered litter box.
Stress. The cat may be stressed as a result of a new addition to the family, moving home or a dominant cat in the household.	Spend more time with the cat. Litter training a cat takes patience and re-training may be required. Pay attention to all the above problems and solutions. Provide a new location and litter box and show the cat where to go. Use a paper napkin to wipe up accidents and place the soiled napkin in the new litter box to indicate to the cat where they need to go. Clean the accident areas with vinegar and soapy water. A cat can also be retrained by confining them to a large crate with their bed and litter box. As cats hate soiling their beds, they will use the litter box. Once re-trained, release the cat and move the litter box to the desired or original position.

Do NOT punish your cat. Do NOT hit, shout or rub your cat's nose into their waste to train them! This will only scare your cat and make them more secretive about her/his toilet habits!

We hope this solves the problem of 'cat not using litter box'!

Related Cat Litter Box Information:

Cat Litter Pans - pans or trays

Automatic Cat Litter Box - self cleaning units

Disposable Cat Litter Boxes - biodegradable environmentally friendly

Cat Litter Box Furniture - a unit to suit your decor

Cat Litter Box - tips on litter box placement

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