Has the cat stopped using the litter box and doesn’t want to know about it? What are the reasons why he decides to avoid using it and how can you re-educate him?
Why does the cat no longer use the litter box?
When a cat suddenly stops using the litter box, there is always an underlying reason. It is often linked to a source of stress, such as a change in the home environment; sometimes, there may be health problems that lead him to suddenly stop using the litter box, especially if he is elderly; other times there may be a lack of hygiene, if the litter box is dirty or the toilet is placed in an unsuitable place in the house the cat may refuse to use it.
How to get the cat to use the litter box again
1) MOVE THE LITTER BOX
If you have moved, it is easy for your cat to be hesitant and have a refusal towards the toilet: it must first get used to the new environment, so slowly it will find the courage to go to the toilet in the litter box. Be patient! If, on the other hand, the cat has experienced an unpleasant experience right near his toilet, such as a loud noise or the presence of other pets that has attacked him unexpectedly, due to the trauma he could reject the toilet and the place where it was placed. What to do? Simple, move it to another area of the house, making sure that the room is quiet and not very passing.
2) REPLACE THE TOILET WITH A MORE ROOMY OR DIFFERENT ONE
When the cat stops using his toilet, ask yourself if the accessory is the ideal size for him. Felines often disown an object because it makes them uncomfortable. You can try to make some changes to make his box more inviting, for example if he is used to a closed model, remove the lid if possible, or choose one that is open and vice versa.
If you want a closed toilet box, the Ariel 10 Home model by Ferplast is for you. It is built in solid plastic and is complete with a tilting darkened door, it consists of 2 bottoms, one closed and one with a sieve to allow you to separate the litter when it’s time to clean it. Thanks to the darkened tilting door, the cat can enjoy maximum privacy. There is also the open variant, namely Ariel, which is identical to the previous one in terms of operation, but does not have a lid.
3) CHANGE THE BEDBOARD OFTEN AND KEEP THE AREA CLEAN
To convince the cat to use the litter box again, make sure to keep it clean and to maintain tidy even in the vicinity. If you notice that your cat approaches the toilet but stays on the edge or goes to the toilet outside, it is likely that this is because the litter box is too dirty for him. To ensure perfect cleanliness, rinse the entire toilet once a week with baking soda or an unscented soap.
4) PLACE SOME CAT TOYS IN PROXIMITY
We often read that you should never place objects or things next to the cat’s toilet, so as not to distract or annoy him. In reality, as long as it is not about the bowls of water and food, to make the cat want to use the litter box again, you can put some of his toys nearby. Play with the cat in the same area where the litter box is, leave some fun objects in the room, so that the animal can spend pleasant time, creating a positive association with the place.
Be patient, with cats it takes a lot, but you will see that with these tricks he will go back to toileting in his toilet!
