Help Your Cat Think Inside the Litter Box
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Cats are fantastic pets. They require almost no maintenance. They also take care of their own cleaning needs and are largely independent. Despite their ease of maintenance, there is one thing you must do regularly if your cat is to remain happy and healthy. Any ideas? If you said, clean the litter box, then you are on the money!
The litter box is a very big part of your cats life. It will also be a smelly, oops; I mean big part of your life as well. Litter boxes are the key to your cats soul. Ok, that may be a bit over-dramatic, however, they do tell a lot about what is going on in your cats world. Urinating outside of the litter box, also known as inappropriate urination or inappropriate elimination is one of the most common complaints among cat owners.
If your cat suddenly starts urinating in your favorite pair of shoes, you know you have a problem on your paws. Cats avoid their litter boxes for any number of reasons. Lets start with the obvious possibilities and go from there. First of all, cats do not like messy litter boxes! Yes, it is true, they have their standards when it comes to cleanliness! If you do not clean your felines box enough he may start eliminating elsewhere. It is very important that you scoop the poop (and yes, the pee too) at least once per day.
Next, as they say in real estate, location is everything! If you have recently moved your cats litter box and he suddenly starts pooping on the pile of laundry in your bedroom, he may be telling you that he is not happy with the new location you have chosen. Find a location that you can both be happy with. I know, I know, you are now compromising with a catbut hey, the other option is not very appealing. That is, unless you like poop in your laundry.
Cats tend to be creatures of habit. They are not usually fond of surprises. If you recently changed your cats litter and he suddenly starts peeing in your shoe, then I suggest going back to the litter you originally used. If you want to change litters, it is best to do so SLOWLY! Simply mix a small amount of the new litter in with the old and allow your cat to adjust. Eventually, you will eliminate the old litter all together and your cat wont know the difference. Can you say, sneaky!?
Cats can be very picky when it comes to their litter. They may reject their litter box if they dont like the scent or texture of the litter you have chosen. You may have to try several different types of litter before you find one that your kitty loves to poop in.
If you have more than one cat you should also have more than one litter box. What works for one cat may not work for another. Also, several cats using a single litter box can add up to a heck of a mess in a very short time. If you've ever found yourself disgusted at the condition of a gas station restroom, that's what's going through your cat's mind if he's the last visitor in the box. Several boxes can help with this with the downside of giving you more work to do, of course.
A more serious reason as to why your cat has suddenly decided to poop outside of his box would be because of an illness or medical issue. Cats will often associate pain or discomfort with their litter box, hence the reason they avoid it and head straight to your closet. Bladder stones, urinary tract infections and constipation are just a few of the medical conditions that often lead to inappropriate elimination and urination. If your cats bathroom behavior suddenly takes a turn for the worse, it is a good idea to take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible. The majority of the time, your vet can quickly determine your cats problem and offer assistance.
The litter box will play a very important role in your cats life. It will also be an important part of your life as well! By keeping an eye on your cats litter box behaviors, you will be able to determine, to a certain extent, the health and happiness of your feline friend. The most important thing you can do to keep your cat happy is to scoop the poop on a daily basis! And that my friend, is the scoop on litter boxes!
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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