By Calgary Humane Society, Calgary Herald April 15, 2010
Q: My cat Flicker has always been great at using the litter box, but lately she has started peeing in the basement and in one corner of the living room. How can I get her back to using the box again?
A: Cats: the fractious feline friends to humans, known for embodying qualities of beauty, grace and intelligence, while coupled undeniably with an unabashed side of independent pride. These qualities make them both irresistible, yet at times baffling, companions for people.
On the one hand, cats come with so many wonderful qualities already predisposed within their very feline nature. You do not need to usually “house train” a cat, rather, if you simply provide your cat with a litter box or two, they should choose to go there of their own accord. Pet parents with young puppies only wish it were so easy!
On the other hand, when kitty decides, for one reason or another, to go against the grain and begin house soiling, it can offer more of a challenge to get her back on track then one might like.
So, what is the best way to get your cat back to using the box? First, let’s look at the possible reasons as to why Flicker might have started house soiling. Has anything, even something seemingly insignificant, changed in her environment? This could mean something as noticeable as moving from one house to another or introducing a new family member or pet, all the way to something as subtle as changing the litter box location or type of litter used, or having family friends stay over for a few days. Our fickle feline friends can be extremely sensitive to their environment and sometimes the slightest disruption can throw off their routine.
Other possible reasons for Flicker’s sudden change in bathroom behaviours, could be a medical issue, such as a urinary tract infection. If you notice a sudden change in your feline’s elimination routine, especially one that is out of character for your cat, calling your vet is a responsible first step. If you’re vet has given your cat a clean bill of health, then it is time to start analyzing and adjusting her environment at home.
Has anything about Flicker’s bathroom arrangements changed? Have you possibly acquired a new type of litter box recently, perhaps one with a hood? Though we may feel we are offering kitty a more private and appealing oasis with a covered box, often cats are actually detracted from using boxes with hoods, as these can be difficult to move in and displeasing to her feline olfactory senses if not cleaned at least daily.
Though Flicker clearly loves you, she is also a feline accustomed to, and demanding of, the highest level of care and consideration, and as you can see there are many factors that could cause Flicker to become less inclined to use her box properly.
So how can you help her get back to her box and avoid these issues arising in the future? First, ensure that all accident areas outside of the box are thoroughly cleaned with an enzymatic pet elimination clean-up product. Other cleaners often just cover up the smell to the human nose, but do not actually eliminate biological enzymes that may lead the animal to use that spot again.
As a backup precaution, you can also cover the area in tinfoil, a surface that is displeasing to most felines and should detract Flicker from going in that area.
Analyze the type of litter box that you are using and the location in which it is placed. Often it is best to have more than one box, in fact, we suggest keeping one more box than the number of cats in the home. This will ensure that no kitty is able to guard the box from the other. But, even if Flicker lives alone, we still suggest that she has least two boxes at her disposal.
Finally, boxes should ideally be kept in clean and quiet areas. Many people are inclined to place litter boxes in laundry rooms or furnace rooms, unaware that the unpredictable, loud, and potentially frightening sounds, can actually condition their feline to avoid utilizing the proper potty place.
Once she has started using the basement or the living room corner, she may just consider these a backup bathroom option, a kitty outhouse if you will. She would much rather use her proper feline bathroom and it’s up to you to help her feel utmost comfort in doing so.
Complements of http://www.oregonpetguide.info/
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