Oops! She Did It Again…

Is “Oops, she did it again…” the new kitty pop song playing over and over in your head? When a cat develops disdain for and avoids the litter box he’s frequented in the past, it could be time to give us a call. There are lots of reasons a cat might develop the annoying new habit of missing the litter box. It could be attributed to health issues like urinary tract infections, gastritis, or even cancer. Or your cat may be suffering from environmental stress. Moving to a new house, bringing a newborn baby home or introducing a second pet could be stress-inducing events for your cat. And their selected protest may involve the litter box – or lack thereof.
Of course, if you have ignored the litter box’s upkeep, your cat may very well ignore it too, choosing to use your shining clean bathtub or your nice, quiet bedroom closet. Think about how you’d feel about your own toilet if it were flushed every few days. Ewwww. That’s precisely your kitty’s reaction too. Cats are meticulously clean creatures, and they prefer a tidy quiet place to take care of their toilet needs. If you don’t provide it, they will find their own creative special place.
If you have a second cat, you might want to consider a second litter box. Make sure that all litter boxes are placed in a quiet, cat-friendly location away from the main traffic of your home. A bedroom or bathroom would work well as long as the cat has easy access and isn’t accidentally shut out from her necessary room.
Despite what it seems, missing the litter box isn’t vengeful on your pet’s part and may signal a problem that we can pinpoint. Book an appointment today at Town N’ Country Animal Hospital and let’s talk about your pet’s changed behavior. Your observations and our experience can provide the solution your cat needs – and help you start whistling a different tune!