You're not cleaning enough Cats are very clean animals and don't like using a dirty litter tray. Ensure you're cleaning the tray regularly, which means removing faeces, changing litter and giving the whole tray a hot, soapy wash often too.
If you let your litter box get too dirty, chances are your cat will start going either next to the litter box or in another part of your home. While it's easy to get mad at your cat for this, it's also easy to understand. No one likes to use a dirty bathroom, and our meticulously clean feline friends are no different.
However, if you make it a regular habit to scoop away waste and give the litter box itself a good washing, not only will the job be that much less unpleasant, your cat will be happier and healthier because of the special care you're providing them.
UTI And Other Bladder Problems
One of two things will happen: they'll go somewhere else, or they'll hold it in until the box is clean. If they do the latter, that can lead to some serious issues, like a UTI, bladder infection, or kidney problems.
Not surprisingly, then, studies tell us that cats prefer unscented litter. That doesn't just mean added scents and scented deodorizers; it also applies to scents that might occur naturally in the litter, such as pine. Cats prefer their litter to smell like nothing at all.
If you have more than one cat, it may be best to change the cat litter more often, every 2-3 weeks. If you use a non-clumping litter and have only one cat, changing the litter twice per week is a good guideline. If you have more than one cat, every other day may work better.
Most cats won't use litter that's more than about two inches deep. Some long-haired cats prefer less litter and a smooth, slick surface, such as the bottom of the box. Adding extra litter won't reduce the amount of cleaning necessary for a litter box.
In addition to daily scooping, it is important to regularly change the litter box (twice weekly for non-clumping litter, monthly for clumping litter) and to wash it with soap and water.
Dr. Justine A. Lee, a long-time veterinarian, believes the box should be scooped daily but admits it's OK if you do it every other day. “We neurotic types clean litter boxes daily. If that's too much for you, litter boxes should be scooped out at least every other day,” she said in this post on Pet Health Network.
Cat poo (faeces) should be removed from the litter box regularly. It is a good idea to take poops out as soon as they happen but if you can't, aim for twice a day (morning and evening). Urine should be cleaned out at least once a day too.
Cats can develop various health problems from using a dirty litter box, such as painful kidney infections, bladder infections, bladder stones, and urinary tract infections. Going too long without cleaning the litter box also causes stress for your cat, which only exacerbates these issues.
So, your cat is most likely to prefer an unscented, fine particle, clumping clay litter. Fortunately, there is no shortage of those to choose from. And now that you've got an idea for what's most likely to make your cat happy, you can consider the qualities in a litter that will keep you happy, too.
Yes, it is common for cats to watch their owners clean their litter boxes. This is because cats are naturally curious creatures and they want to see what you are doing. Additionally, cleaning the litter box is a routine activity for many cats, and they may associate it with their own hygiene and comfort.
Some cats adapt to a change of litter without any problem at all, while other cats may feel uncomfortable using a type of litter that they didn't use when they were young. If you think your cat may dislike her litter type, texture or smell, try offering her different types of litter to use.
Animal abuse might be a stretch on this. Unless you're going to start abusing your cat for urinating and/or deficating outside their litter boxes. Cats are pretty clean animals. They are notorious for refusing to use a dirty or filthy litter box.
Cats are not huge fans of change so this switch will be quite a big deal for them. Try and eliminate any other potentially stressful situations in their life while you're making the litter swap (for example, moving house or adding a new pet to the family) and they will be more likely to manage the transition calmly.
On one hand, too much litter in your cat's litter box can cause overflow and spillage problems all over your bathroom floor. On the other hand, too little litter in the box can create smelly and messy poo problems when your cat isn't able to dig enough litter to hide their solid waste.
Add baking soda to the litter: Surprisingly, baking soda is a great all-natural deodorizer that is both safe for cats and can help manage the litter box smell. By mixing a little bit of baking soda with the litter, you can help absorb any urine odors also.
Your cat could be just trying to maintain her scent in the box, even though you're cleaning it. Animals usually go to the bathroom to give us a message. If it's outside the litter box, they could be stressed or in need of a clean place to go.
You Should Never Flush Your Cat's Poop Or Litter!
One of the biggest problems with flushing your cat's presents is the harmful parasites in your feline's stool called toxoplasmosis.
Dirty litter boxes can cause kidney, bladder, and urinary tract diseases in cats. When a kitty squats over a pile of feces, bacteria can travel up the urethra, wreaking havoc all along the way. And since UTIs are often asymptomatic in cats, your kitty could be sick a long time before you know to get treatment for her.
Rinse the empty litter box in the bathtub or shower with soap and water. Use a mildly scented or scent-free soap if you can so your cat isn't adverse to the odor. If the weather is nice outside, you can also take the litter box out there to hose it off instead of using the bathroom.
Basements and laundry rooms are popular choices but not actually recommended. Instead, Geller suggests the bedroom. "Your bedroom is a good location for a cat litter box since it's usually a quiet place," she says.
Some cats dislike crystal litter because it pokes their paws uncomfortably. Corn, wheat, and pine. These types of litter are made of natural, biodegradable substrates. They don't usually clump (though World's Best Cat Litter does), but most of them have low or no dust.
If she's been covering her poop and suddenly stops, she might have a new health issue. Get her a checkup to make sure she's okay. Remember: if a cat's not covering his poop, he's not trying to be mean or show that he's mad at you. A cat typically doesn't cover his poop because of stress, pain, or litter box problems.