Problems With Litter Box Training in Cats

Clean Litter Box

• One of the most common reasons cats and kittens refuse to use their litter box is its cleanliness. Most cats have a natural aversion to filth. A litter box that contains heavily soiled litter can actually drive your pet to look for a cleaner place to relieve itself. Litter boxes should have their litter changed daily. Additionally, you should take the time to thoroughly clean the litter box between litter changes. The strong ammonia odor that builds up in the box can easily cause your pet to go outside of the box.

Litter Box Issues

• Litter boxes are available in many sizes. Make certain the box you have chosen suits the animal you are trying to train. Small kittens are usually okay with a large box as long as the sides are not so steep that they cannot easily get in the box. Larger cats may not care for the small box they were happy to use when they were younger. Cats in their advanced age may find deep boxes difficult to enter and exit. Many people prefer boxes with covers that help contain and hide the mess that accumulates in the box. However, the lid may be off-putting to your pet. Additionally, the lid can help trap ammonia odor and drive your cats away from the box.

Litter Box Access

• It may seem like common sense, but your pet needs constant access to the litter box to use it. A thoughtlessly closed door can easily cut off an animal's access to the box it is trying to use. Make sure your chosen litter box location is accessible and convenient for your pet.

Litter Preference

• Pet stores and animal shelters often use inexpensive litters or even shredded newspaper as litter. While these money saving options are essential to these operations, it is not uncommon for people to purchase top quality litter for use in their own home. The problem here is a matter of conditioning. A cat or kitten that has grown used to a specific litter type can be put off by the odor or feel of the litter you are now providing. To solve this problem, start your pet out with a box of the preferred litter and slowly add your preference with each change. If this is done gradually enough, you can recondition your pet to your litter choice.

Location Preference

• Most kittens and cats will use their litter box in the location you have chosen. However, some animals occasionally develop an aversion to the location. If practical, relocate the box to an area your pet seems to prefer. If this is not possible, see if the area you have chosen has issues that can be addressed. Check for poor ventilation, extreme temperatures or any other factor that may be causing your pet to go elsewhere. If possible, make the necessary changes to make the area acceptable to your pet.

Negative Associations

• Occasionally, bad things can happen to good cats. If something traumatic should happen to your kitten while it is using the litter box, it can create a negative association that will keep the animal from using the litter box in its present location. If this should happen, relocate the box to a place where the cat feels safe, and the negative event is unlikely to reoccur.

Household Stress

• Kittens and cats come in a full range of personalties. Some are brazen while others are skittish. Cats of the skittish variety can react badly to any number of household stresses. Loud noises such as slamming doors or raised voices can send these animals into hiding and not even the urge to relieve themselves will bring them into the open. If you find yourself with a skittish pet try to keep their area of your home calm. Allow the pet time to get acclimated to the home and the people that live there.

Multiple Cat Household

• Multiple-cat households often find one or more of its feline inhabitants unwilling to use the litter box. The problem is usually a matter of litter box cleanliness. The rule of thumb for multi-cat homes is to have one litter box for each cat or kitten. In fact, the ASPCA recommends you keep one litter box per animal plus one extra box in a multi-cat environment. Sufficiently clean litter boxes is the key to keeping your "pride" on target.

Cat Health Issues

• If your pet's refusal to use the litter box is accompanied by any signs of illness, have your feline seen by a vet. Diseases such as a urinary tract infection, feline interstitial cystitis and kidney stones can affect your cat's elimination behavior.