Home Psychology 8 Reasons Cats Hate Their Litter Box
8 Reasons Cats Hate Their Litter Box
If your cat is refusing to use her litter box and has visited your veterinarian for a complete check up and received a clean bill of health, yet is still refusing to use her litter box, you may find your answer as to why in this article.Cats do what they do because it works for them; they are solving a problem they have with the litter box by choosing a better location to eliminate. Cats prefer to eliminate in an area similar to what they would use in the wild, an open and clean environment. So, as I always suggest, it is easier to change your cats environment, than it is to change your cat. Therefore, making a few environmental changes can solve the litter box issue.Today litter boxes and litter products are marketed toward owners, not with the cats interest in mind. Litter boxes are compact to fit in small spaces, hooded so owners do not have to see the unsightly mess, and litters are loaded with heavy perfumes to appeal to the human nose. Here are some small changes you can make to your cats litter box to make it more appealing to your cat.1.Litter Box Size: Regular litter boxes found at pet and retail stores are too small for cats, this is why many cats will end up eliminating with one leg in and one leg out of the litter box or eliminating down the sides of the box. With hooded litter boxes cats tend to eliminate with their tails sticking out of the doorway because they have no other place to put them while trying to use the restroom. Regular litter boxes do not supply cats with enough room to comfortably do their business.Suggestion: Purchase a large, yet shallow plastic storage container. These can be found at home stores and are generally used for storing clothing. Toss away the lid and now you have a roomy, spacious litter box, which costs much less than what you would have paid for a traditional litter box.2.Litter Box Cleanliness: Many pet parents fail to clean their litter boxes regularly. Litter boxes should be scooped daily; and completely emptied, washed, and refilled with fresh litter once a month. There should also be one litter box per cat. Suggestion: When washing out your litter box use only mild, antibacterial soap. Harsh cleaners can soak into the porous plastic material of the litter box leaving behind offensive odors your cat will dislike.3.Litter Box Hood: Many assume since we prefer privacy when using the restroom that our cats must too, so we purchase hooded litter boxes. However, this is not the case, in the wild cats eliminate in open areas on the edges of their territory, where predators can be near. Since cats prefer eliminating in the open, where they can easily see their surroundings, and possible threats, a hooded litter box totally blocks their view, leaving them feeling insecure and vulnerable. Suggestion: Do not use a hood on your litter box.4.Litter Box Liner: Liners are quick and convenient for pet parents, but can be very inconvenient for your cats. Many times liners get in the way of cats digging and burying their elimination. Their claws get caught on the plastic liner causing tears in the material. Now urine can seep through the holes and create a bacterial infestation and smelly environment between the liner and the litter box. Cats dislike both the fact their claws get stuck in the liner when digging and the unpleasant smells that result from using litter box liners. Suggestion: Do not use liners of any sort.5.Litter Mats: Litter mats are great at catching litter and also convincing your cat to avoid the litter box. Cats tend to dislike the texture of litter mats, the pressure of the tiny nubs creates an uncomfortable sensation on your cats paws; causing him or her to jump over the mat while entering or exiting the litter box or just avoiding the litter box all together. Suggestion: Do not use litter mats, if you must, use a regular doormat made of natural materials, such as straw or coconut husks.6.Litter Textures: Cats prefer a sand-like textured litter, which most closely resembles what cats are used to in the wild, real sand and soil. Litter crystals can be sharp and pointy, causing discomfort on a cats sensitive paws, I never suggest anyone use crystals for litter. Suggestion: Use a sand-like, scoopable litter. A great litter to use is EverCleans Unscented Scoopable Cat Litter or Dr. Elseys CatAttract Cat Litter, these can both be found at PetSmart or www.PetSmart.com7.Litter Scent: The feline nose is extremely sensitive and far keener than ours. Scented litters are over powering to the feline senses and can encourage them to eliminate elsewhere if their litter box is flooded with smells. It is best to use an unscented litter. Suggestion: Use EverClean Unscented Scoopable Cat Litter or Dr. Elseys CatAttract Cat Litter.8.Litter Box Location: There are four things to keep in mind about where to place your cats litter box. 1.The litter box and the food stations should NEVER be located near each other or even in the same room. You do not want to eat where you use the restroom, and neither does your cat. 共2页: 上一页 1 [2] 下一页

 

 

 

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