Sometimes a cat will stop using the litterbox. With a little patience the situation can usually be corrected. Do not resort to punishment - it is not effective with cats and may even exacerbate the situation.
The first question, especially for male cats is "Has the cat been neutered?" Spraying to mark territory almost always ceases after neutering. Urinary tract infections or stones are also a surprisingly common reason for cats to abandon the litter box. Consult a veterinarian to determine if this is the problem.
If the behavior also involves defecation or if these two issues are ruled out, then the next question is "what changed?" (litter, lighting, household routine, new baby, new significant other, etc...) Cats detest change and any change can cause litter box issues or other destructive behavior.
Try using the following strategies:
1) Begin keeping a dated journal of the locations and times of any "accidents" as well as the solutions attempted and results. (no change, still not using litter box but changed location, etc...)
2) Make sure litter is always clean. Offer litterboxes in different parts of the house. Try different types of litter. If using a box with a hood, remove it or vice-versa.
3) Try confining the cat to a non-carpeted room set up similarly to the "base room" in our page on introducing a new cat to your household. (See the link at the bottom of this page) This is particularly useful in multiple cat households. The cat should be confined 24 hours a day until a few days AFTER he or she begins using the litter box again.
4) Try placing bowls of dry food near where the cat is eliminating. Cats will avoid eating and eliminating in the same spot. The cat's natural fastidiousness will hopefully solve the problem!
Click here to learn more about the "base room" used in feline introductions.
Visit the CHHS Online Training & Behavioral Center to read more articles on training, understanding your companion animal and culitivating desirable behaviors.
If you have any further questions feel free to call us at 316 283 0839. We are here to help!
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