How to Get Your Cat to Use Their Litter Tray

March 17, 2020

What to do if your cat won't use their litter box

If your cat is refusing to use their litter tray, you may be feeling frustrated. It can be hard to know how to solve common litter box problems.

In this blog post, we will share some of the most common issues that cats have with their litter boxes and provide solutions for each one.

The most common reasons that cats avoid using their litter boxes are:

• The litter is too dirty
• The box is too small
• They don't like the type of litter
• There is too much or not enough litter in the box
• There is another problem with the litter box itself
• The box is in a loud or busy area

We'll dive into each of these common causes in more detail below. Make sure you read on to find out why your cat is not using their litter box, and what exactly you can do about it.

Your cat's litter is too dirty

If your cat's litter box is too dirty, they may not want to use it. It's important to scoop the box at least once a day and to completely clean it out once a week. 

Your cat's habits may change at various times in their life due to illness, ageing and other factors. That means it's important to keep an eye on the litter box so that you can replace the litter as soon as needed - even if it's been less than a week since you last did so.

If you're not able to clean the box every day, you may want to consider getting a second litter box. This will give your cat somewhere else to go if the first box is too dirty.

Your cat's litter box is too small

If your cat's litter box is too small, they may feel cramped and uncomfortable. It's important to choose a litter box that is big enough for your cat to move around in. 

Cats can be a variety of shapes and sizes depending on their breed and age, so not every litter tray is suitable for all cats.

If you only have a small litter box, you may want to consider getting a bigger one.

Consider the location of the litter tray too. Is there enough room for your cat to access it and move around whilst inside the tray freely?

Cats enjoy their privacy, but if it's a little too cramped that may put them off. If you suspect this may be the cause, simply try moving the tray to a slightly more spacious location.

You can even try pulling the tray out a little so it is not so closely against the wall. This may be inconvenient for you for a few days, but it could be worth a try to see if it makes any difference.

If your cat does seem to respond positively, then you can move the litter box to a better location permanently.

Your cat doesn't like the type of litter

If your cat doesn't like the type of litter, they may not want to use it. It's important to choose a litter that is comfortable for your cat and that they will actually want to use. 

There are many different types of litter available on the market, so it's worth doing some research to find one that is suitable for your cat.

Some factors you may want to consider include:

• The absorbency of the litter - does it soak up urine well?
• The scent of the litter - is it too strong or not strong enough?
• The texture of the litter - is it too soft or too hard?

If your cat doesn't like the type of litter, they may avoid using the box altogether. Experiment with different types of litter until you find one that your cat likes.

There is too much or not enough litter in the box

If there is too much or not enough litter in the box, your cat may not feel comfortable using it. It's important to add enough litter to the box so that your cat can bury their waste. 

You should also not add too much litter, as this can make the box too heavy to move around. The ideal amount of litter will vary depending on the size of the box and your cat's preferences.

It's important to experiment with the amount of litter you use so that you can find the right balance for your cat.

If you're not sure how much to use, start with a small amount and gradually add more until you find the right level.

Your cat doesn't like the litter box itself

If the litter box is not acceptable to your cat, they may refuse to use it. It's critical to pick a litter box that is appealing to your cat and that they will want to use.

There are many distinct sorts of litter boxes available on the market, so it's worth doing some research to find one that is right for your cat.

We recommend you consider the following:

• The size of the litter box - is it too small or too large?
• The shape of the litter box - is it square, rectangular or oval?
• The material of the litter box - is it made from plastic, metal or fabric?

Cats can be quite picky and specific with their personal preferences, as many cat owners will know.

If they're really unhappy with some feature of their litter tray, that may cause them to reject it altogether.

The box is in a loud or busy area

If the litter box is in a loud or busy area, your cat may feel anxious and decide to avoid using it. It's important to choose a quiet, out-of-the-way spot for the litter box. 

Cats like their privacy, so try to find a place where they can feel comfortable and unobserved when doing their business.

If you don't have an ideal spot for the litter box in your home, you may want to consider getting a covered litter box. This will help to muffle any noise and provide your cat with some privacy.

By following these tips, you can solve the majority of common litter box problems and help your cat feel comfortable using their litter tray.

If you are still having trouble getting your cat to use their litter box, please consult a veterinarian. They may be able to help you find the root of the problem and provide solutions. Thank you for reading!

You may also enjoy reading Why does my cat bite me when I pet her?

 

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