3 Reasons Why Your Cat Isn't Using The Litter Box

1. There could be a medical issue!

Kidney stones or infections, urinary tract or bladder infections, diabetes and many more conditions that cause painful or frequent urination could be causing your kitty to go outside the box. Cats will often urinate outside of the litter box if there is pain associated with it.  

2. Your cat is aging or has joint issues.

As people age their joints get stiff, achy or painful, the same thing happens with cats. If you’re kitty has trouble getting in/out of the litter box or squatting, they may start to avoid the litter box. Diminished sensory function or cognitive abilities due to age or other problem may also make using high walled or enclosed litter boxes a no-go. If this is the case for you, open litter boxes with low walls might solve your problem. If it continues after replacing the box, there may be other reasons.  

3. Your cat is declawed.

When cats are declawed the whole first joint of the toe is removed. This can cause discomfort for cats that use hard litters and as discussed above, when urination is associated with pain, your cat isn’t going to want to use the litter box. There are many alternative litter substrates that you can try and see what your cat prefers, however the best way to avoid this is simply to not declaw your cats.  

Taking your cat to the vet should be your first response but no what the reason is Chem-Dry of Central Illinois can eliminate urine stains and odors for good! Call today for an in-home black-light consultation!