ON BEST BEHAVIOR
Tips for Solving Litter Box Avoidance
by Pia Silvani, Director of Pet Training and Behavior Counseling

Litter box aversion is one of the biggest behavior problems facing cat owners.  The good news is that this problem CAN be corrected!

There are many reasons why a cat may soil in the house outside of his or her litter box.  If you live in a multi-cat household, you must first determine who the culprit is.  After making the determination, take the offender to your veterinarian for a thorough examination to rule out illness, infection or disease.  Analyze the situation carefully.  The following are possible reasons your cat is avoiding her litter box.

1)  Dirty Litter Box--Do not stir the litter; stirring only mixes the dirty litter around and the odor remains.  Litter should be cleaned at least daily and thoroughly changed weekly, depending on the number of cats using the box.  Old litter should be discarded and the box cleaned with a good neutralizer.  Dust the bottom of the box with baking soda.

2)  Litter Avoidance--Some cats who do not like the litter you've provided will stand on the edges and urinate, missing the box.  Once your cat is consistently using the box, continue to fill it with the same litter.  Switching brands and types of litter may cause problems since most cats do not like change.  When you find a brand of litter that the cat enjoys using, stick with it for life.  If you aren't sure which litter to use, let your cat decide.  Fill three boxes, each with different types of litter.  Whichever box you cat uses will immediately tell you which litter to buy.

3)  Food And Water Too Close To Box--Cats do not like to eat and drink in the same area where they relieve themselves.

4)  Too Many Cats And Not Enough Boxes--A good rule of thumb is two boxes for each cat.  Some cats like to urinate in one box and defecate in another.  Not all cats are this fastidious, but the more boxes you have available, the more likely your cat will find one.

5)  Something Frightened The Cat When Using Her Box--Re-evaluate what occurred prior to the soiling problem.  Is the box near the washing machine which suddenly started to rattle?  Was the cat chased or harassed by other pets (cats or dogs) while using the box?  Did you attempt to give your cat medication or do something unpleasant to her when she was in the box, since that was the only time you could catch her?

6)  Medical Condition--If your cat is straining to relieve herself, she might think of the box as an unpleasant or painful place to be.  Try observing your cat when she is in the box to see if there is a problem.  If you cat is straining, see your vet immediately.

7)  Cannot Get To The Box During The Night--Remember, cats are nocturnal animals and if not exercised and fed at bedtime, your cat will want to play and eat during the night.  Cats have difficulty seeing in the dark.  Leave a light on so your cat can find her way to the box.

8)  Does Not Like The Box--There are many types of litter pans.  One cat may like a closed box, while another will find it too confining.  You may have to try out a few different boxes and let your cat decide which one she likes.

9)  Location--Keep the litter box in a quiet, traffic-free area and do not move the box around the house.

To help your feline friend get back on track, reward your cat for relieving herself in the appropriate place.  Try confining your cat to one room with a new, clean box for a few days.  Put her food and water in the room also (well away from the litter box).  Be aware of when your cat typically uses the box and make sure you are present during that time.  When your cat relieves herself in the box, reward her with a tasty treat, perhaps small pieces of tuna.  Also give the action a verbal reinforcement such as "Good kitty, box."

You want to shape the good behavior.  Do not punish your cat for soiling the wrong area.  If you do, you are just teaching her not to soil in your presence and then you will not be able to give the reward.  Gradually increase her freedom to the rest of the house and continue to reward her for using the box.

Feline soiling problems are sometimes complex, so don't lose patience.  Identifying the reason why your cat has stopped using the litter box will help you succeed.  Once successful, you and your little bundle of love can resume your rewarding life together.

For information about dog training classes or behavior counseling, call St. Hubert's Dog Training School at 973-377-0116.