Why Won’t My Cat Use The Litter Box
Keeping your cat’s litter box clean, fresh and full of good litter is an important part of maintaining a healthy relationship with your cat. It’s also not a fun chore. If you’ve been having trouble getting your cat to use the litter box, here are some causes that might explain why:
There is too much litter in the box
- There is too much litter in the box.
- Cats like to dig, so they need room to do so. If there is too much litter, they could be trying to bury something, or cover up their waste.
The litter box is too small
Make sure that your cat’s litter box is large enough. Cat experts say that the box should be at least 1.5 times the length of your cat, and at least 1.5 times the width and height as well. That means if your cat is 6 inches long and 3 inches high, you should give them a litter box that’s 9 inches long by 6 inches wide by 9 inches tall.
If you have an elderly or disabled cat, make sure they can get into and out of the litter box without tripping over it on their way in or out of their enclosure—a common problem with older cats who may not want to climb over something when they need to use the bathroom! If this sounds like a problem for your pet (or if you’re concerned about this becoming one), look into alternative methods like training wheels for kitty litter boxes!
The box or its location is dirty
Cats are very clean animals, and they don’t like to use a dirty litter box. If you have a cat that won’t use the litter box, one of the first things you should do is check for signs that it’s not being kept clean. Cats have sensitive noses and can tell if something doesn’t smell right even if we can’t detect any difference in aroma.
- Clean the box regularly: Remove soiled litter daily, dump out old food and water, wash out the bowl with soap and hot water at least once per week (more often if necessary).
- Get a bigger box: If your cat is male or has close relatives who are male, he may be too big to comfortably fit into his current box (especially if he’s an older cat). A larger size could make him more likely to use it regularly.
- Move it: If your cat has been using one corner of the room as his “bathroom,” move his litter box closer so he feels more comfortable using it again rather than going outside of where his food bowl or bed resides.
The litter itself is unappealing
- The litter itself is unappealing. Cats prefer fine-grained litter, not clumping. They also prefer unscented to scented, and light-colored to dark. If your cat has been using the box for years and suddenly stops, it’s worth trying a different brand of litter (or a different type of litter) and seeing if that makes any difference.
- The box itself is unappealing. Cats are picky about where they go to the bathroom–they want privacy but also don’t like places that feel unsafe or crowded. Take note of what kind of boxes you have around: are they too large or small? Dogs have a tendency to mark in them (especially if they’re too small), which can make cats afraid of using them as well–so consider moving them closer together or farther apart depending on how many dogs you have in your house!
Your cat is sick
If your cat is sick, they will not use their litter box. In fact, they may even go so far as to change their litter box habits completely. The most common reason for this is because of a urinary tract infection (UTI). This can be caused by a number of factors including dehydration or kidney disease. If you notice that your cat has been spending more time away from the house than normal, or if he/she is suddenly urinating outside of his/her litter box, this could be an indication that something serious is going on with his/her health and you should contact your veterinarian immediately!
Proper litter boxes and cleaning will help your cat use their box more often.
Proper litter boxes and cleaning will help your cat use their box more often.
- Clean the box daily. Scoop out any clumps of waste on a regular basis with a scooper or other utensil, and throw them away in a trash can.
- Wash the litter box with soap and water every week. Fill the empty box halfway with warm water, then add some mild dish soap (any brand will do). Use your hands to scrub down the inside of each compartment, giving special attention to corners where grime tends to build up over time. Rinse thoroughly under running tap water until all traces of soap have been removed from each compartment of your cat’s new favorite room!
- Use hot water for tougher stains like urine or feces that may have dried on surfaces within your cat’s old-new home before you brought them over here last night; these stubborn stains need extra washing power so they don’t keep distracting me while I’m trying harder than ever before not letting myself think about how long ago it was when I did this before–and yes I know there are better ways but this isn’t one so stop asking questions it’s just easier if we both pretend nothing happened ever again instead of bringing back up something painful which would require talking about feelings around here because I’ve got enough going on right now without having another person who cares about me judging what happens next especially since none of us know what that means anyway except maybe being able
If you’re having problems with your cat using the litter box, consider trying some of these fixes. A simple adjustment to their environment could be all it takes to get them back in the habit of using their box for its intended purpose. Cats are very sensitive animals that need a lot of care and attention. Making sure that your pet’s needs are met will ensure that they stay happy and healthy!
