Litter Box Issues

Has your cat found a different place to eliminate than his litter box? Check out our steps for solving this common issue:
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1. Go to your veterinarian first! Your cat could have an urinary tract infection, parasites, urine stones, or some other medical condition. You must rule out any medical causes first because behavior modification will not work if there is a health problem.

2. Calculate the correct number or litter boxes your household needs. The formula is simple: # of cats + 1 = # of litter boxes needed. Example: if you have 2 cats, you need 3 litter boxes. Also, if you have a multi-level house, you need at least one litter box on each level.

3. Decide if it's spraying/marking or litter box issues. Marking will be on vertical surfaces, small amount of urine, near doors or windows, strong smelling, and cat will back up with tail up to mark surface. Litter box issues will be urine, feces, or both, missing the box, and will be on lower surfaces.

4. Make your litter box more appealing.

   1. Keep the box clean. Scoop out twice a day and clean box once a week.

   2. Put in enough litter so that it's 1.5-3 inches deep.

   3. Pick quiet, secure places in the house with two access routes.

   4. If you use a covered box, try at least one uncovered one.

   5. Keep the box away from food and water.

   6. Try several different types of litter box.

   7. Make sure that the litter box is large enough for your cat.

5. Manage your cat's environment.

   1. Temporarily confine your cat during the retraining process.

   2. Remove or block access to areas your cat has eliminated inappropriately (pick up rugs, block areas with cardboard boxes, etc.).

   3. Use an enzymatic cleaner to get rid of the smell.

6. Reinforce good behavior. When your cat does use the litter box, use a clicker and reinforce with a treat.

7. For marking issues, determine cause (for example, new cat in the house or a cat roaming outside). The key is to reduce your cat's stress levels as well as implementing steps 4-6.

   1. Increase exercise and enrichment through playtime and food dispensing toys.

   2. Block windows and deter cat visitors if an outside cat’s presence is causing issue.

   3. If it is marking due to new cat, confine each cat separately and slowly reintroduce.

   4. Feed your cat in the area that has been marked.