Many pet owners choose felines due to their easy nature, sociability, and ease of care. However, some felines don't always follow the mold. In most cases, caring for a cat requires little to no potty training, but in some instances, a cat will exhibit difficulties in learning to go where it should.
How Do Cats Know to Use the Litter Box?
For most cats, learning to use the litter box is a simple and natural process. Suggested as an inherent instinct dating back to their domesticated days in Ancient Egypt, a cat's ability to discover and use litter for covering their waste is considered similar to their ancestors using sand.
Why Won't My Cat Use the Litter Box?
As cats are a finicky species, knowing exactly why he or she isn't using a designated litter box may come through a process of elimination. Start with the most obvious and work your way through the following list:
1. Is the litter box clean? Cats like to cover their feces and if litter is too wet or already full, chances are your cat won't think twice about using it.
2. Do you have multiple cats? As cats often use urine to mark territories, more than one cat in a home can cause confusion around the litter box.
3. Where is your cat's litter box located? Make sure your cat's litter box is placed in a location where he or she can easily access it, have plenty of privacy, and isn't near areas with a lot of noise.
4. What type of litter are you using? Avoid using large grain cat litters and lean towards clay or clumping brands.
5. Is your cat under stress? Changes in environment, such as a new baby, rearranging furniture, or thunderstorms can make a cat act out. While avoiding stressful situations isn't always possible, giving your cat extra attention may help their anxiety.
6. Is your cat sick? Conditions like kidney infection and incontinence could be causing your pet to urinate in places that he or she would not normally go.
7. Is your cat marking? Marking is a normal activity that most cats do. Unfortunately, once a cat has urinated somewhere other than his or her litter box, chances are good that he or she will continue to do so. Be sure to clean the area thoroughly and remove any trace of your cat's odor.
My Cat Still Won't Go in the Box
Sadly, there are some instances when a cat may suffer from mental retardation and will not ever be fully litter trained. While rare, most cases of mental disability derive from a long history of inbreeding. However, there have been cases where cats have shown signs of retardation due to blunt force trauma to the head or through asphyxiation. In these cases, potty training is unlikely.
If you feel that your cat may have serious mental or physical health issues that are preventing him or her from using the litter box appropriately, please seek medical advice as soon as possible.
