Cat isn?t using litterbox properly; is there a solution?

Question: I have a cat that is going on 2 years old. I found him in my neighbor’s garage and rescued him. I don’t think he has ever used the litter box for pooping. He pees in it, but poops either just outside his box or at the front door. This is so frustrating to me. I’ve tried different litter, changing where his box is, giving him more privacy, a different size box… I’m at the end of my rapidly fraying rope. Help!- Kim

Answer: It may make you feel a little better to know that your cat’s problem is the most common behavioral problem reported in cats and that there are lots of solutions. Whenever a cat is stressed, it seems that litterbox behavior is the first thing to go. Unfortunately, even if you correct the original problem, the behavior can continue. For example, if your cat lived in the garage with a litterbox that was rarely cleaned, he may have learned not to defecate in the litterbox.

Try these simple tips to get your cat back into the litterbox. Remember to try any changes for about two weeks to really see what works and what doesn’t. If you are still having trouble after making the changes below, go see your veterinarian to have your cat examined. I have seen two cats recently who were presented for inappropriate elimination who actually were constipated. They had made a painful association with the litterbox when defecating and wouldn’t visit the box anymore.

1. Supersize your box. Cats like lots of space so get a very large box.
2. Clean your box at least once daily.
3. Make sure that you have at least one more box than the number of cats that you have.
4. Place at least one box where your cat is eliminating.
5. Keep dogs and other pets who might intimidate the offending cat away from the box.

You can find more tips on my website: www.flvetbehavior.com. Click on Articles and then select view old newsletters. The take home message is that feline inappropriate elimination is common and most often can be resolved. If these tips and your veterinarian can’t help you, go to www.dacvb.org to find a veterinary behaviorist near you to help you resolve the problem.

Dr. Radosta

Lisa Radosta DVM, Diplomate ACVB
Florida Veterinary Behavior Service
PO Box 210636
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33421-0636
561-795-9398
www.flvetbehavior.com
Read more articles by Dr. Radosta | Ask her a question

Source: http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/pawshere/2011/12/15/cat-isnt-using-litterbox-properly-is-there-a-solution/

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