Litter Box Problems

Refusal to use the litter box is probably the number one complaint among cat lovers. Here are some things you should consider as you try to solve the problem.

Could your cat have a urinary tract infection or kidney stones? Both of these conditions can be quite painful. Just one or two bad incidents can cause your cat to associate her litter box with pain, so she's going to seek other places to relieve herself. Once she has, her scent will draw her back to these areas again and again.

Solutions: See your vet and clean soiled areas with an enzymatic cleaner.

How clean is the litter?

Some cats are incredibly picky about the condition of their box and simply will not use one that has been soiled.
Solutions: Scoop as often as necessary, and provide one litter box per cat in your household.

What type of litter do you use? Cat's have definite texture preferences and will choose greener pastures to do their business if they don't like the material in their box.

Solutions: If you changed litters right before the problem began, change back. If your cat simply won't accept the litter you started her with, try a litter with a different texture from the one you're currently using.

Inappropriate Clawing

It can be very difficult to live with a cat that's tearing up your home.

Solutions:

Provide your cat with a scratching post.

Temporarily apply double stick tape to furniture, doorways and anywhere else you want to make off limits.

Use static "scat mats" to keep your pet off furniture and out of rooms you don't want her to be in.

Trim your cat's nails.

Apply Soft Paws covers to her nail tips