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| Photo by Donna R. |
One of the most common behavioral issues that often land cats in shelters is inappropriate elimination habits. That is, urinating or defecating outside of the litter box. There are several reasons why cats choose not to use a litter box, including medical problems or aversions. Contrary to popular belief, cats do not urinate/defecate in the house with vengeful motives. While we’ve all known incredibly intelligent cats, a feline’s brain is simply not developed enough to plot revenge, or to consider its own waste as a smelly, undesirable weapon against its owners.
More likely a cat is unhappy with the place provided for elimination. Be sure the litter box is placed in a private area that is not frequently disturbed by other pets or heavy foot traffic. But don’t make it so private that the area could be viewed as “scary” (ie. a basement or dark corner). Try changing litters. Cats generally prefer a more natural, unscented litter, and may also have a preference for a fine clumping clay or for larger litter pellets. Sometimes it takes some experimentation to find the right litter for your specific cat.
Consult your veterinarian to check for any medical issues that could contribute to litter box aversion. Urinary tract, bladder or bowel issues can cause painful elimination. Cats may begin to associate a litter box with pain and discomfort, causing them to seek alternative places. Likewise, painful joints or muscles may hinder a cat from hopping over a litter box with high sides.
Help maintain your cat’s optimal digestive health by providing a high quality cat food. Canned food provides higher moisture levels to help keep cats hydrated, a key to preventing bladder/urinary tract infections, struvite crystals, or constipation. Try Evanger’s Signature Series Slow Cooked Stews for Cats. These complete cat dinners provide maximum moisture content and the highest quality USA sourced ingredients, including muscle meats, blueberries and cranberries (excellent for urinary tract health).
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