Animal Talk | Cats and the litter box

I gave her a few pats to say hello (as she doesn’t like cuddles), and then promptly began to unpack. By the time I walked back to the office, I noticed a horrible smell – cat pee! She had urinated in the special box I got her as a Christmas present just a few weeks earlier, and it was fresh!  Once again, my grumpy, 17-year old cat knew exactly how to tell me that she was unhappy that I went away.

Some people assume that I don’t have any pet issues because I work at RSPCA ACT, but they’re wrong. Pets are animals, and sometimes they’ll behave more like their nature rather than the personified beings we often make them. And when it comes to cats, their personalities are as different as people. Therefore, when an owner is experiencing behavioural issues with their feline companions, it’s rarely an easy answer.

Too many times people want to surrender their cats to our shelter because of exactly this. They are struggling with behavioural issues and give up – sometimes without seeking help first. So, over the next few weeks, we’ll share some of more common problems and tips for dealing with unwanted feline behaviour.

Let’s start with litter box problems.

If you’re having problems persuading your feline pal to use the litter box, there are a couple of things you can do to help the process. 

Cleanliness: Keeping the box clean and in a private place is essential. No one likes a dirty bathroom where they can be interrupted or startled mid-way through! Once you find a litter your cat likes, stick with it. Switching regularly to buy the least expensive litter or the brand that’s on sale any given week could result in your cat not using the litter box.

Multiple litter boxes: For some cats, it might be a good idea to place multiple litter boxes around the house to give them options. This means that no matter where they are in the house, there will be a litter box not too far away. This is especially important for kittens or an older cat that may not be able to get to the litter box in time if it’s too far away. 

Seek medical advice: Ensure your pet’s not experiencing a medical issue that’s making them urinate inappropriately. There are many medical conditions can cause a change in a cat’s litter box habits. 

Most importantly, remember that sometimes we all make mistakes! Give them time to adjust, and if needed seek advice from an animal behaviourist or veterinarian.

As for my cat, I think I’ll use a feeder to look after her next time I’m away. She seems to prefer being home alone rather than having a stranger stay at the house now that she is getting older.