Litterbox Woes

There are many things for us to love and adore about our feline friends. These little furballs are cute, cuddly, and highly entertaining. They’re also quite clean. The fact that Fluffy will use a litterbox to see to her needs definitely makes caring for her pretty easy. However, sometimes kitties do develop issues with their purrsonal powder rooms. A Bennington, NE vet discusses some litterbox woes below.

Products

Cats can be a bit picky about litter. Some don’t care for scented litters, while others may like or dislike certain textures or materials. If you’ve recently changed brands, and your furry pal has started avoiding her litterbox, try changing back.

Placement

Choosing the right location for your kitty’s bathroom is also important. Don’t put the litterbox in direct sunlight or in a drafty area. The spot should be easy for Fluffy to reach, but should also offer her some privacy.

Overcrowding

If you have more than one furball, you’re going to need more than one litterbox. We usually advise offering at least one box per cat, plus an extra.

Anxiety

It can be frustrating if your feline buddy stops using her litterbox. However, you should never punish her for this, especially if the box was dirty. This may make Fluffy wary of the litterbox, which will only make matters worse.

Modern Boxes

You can now find quite a few types of litterboxes that were designed to make things easier on you. Some are shiftable stacking boxes. Others use trays or tubes to catch waste. You can go ahead and try these, but you may want to do some research first. Or, ask your vet for recommendations.

Smell

No matter how diligent you are about keeping your cat’s box clean, you may still have to deal with some odors. Plants can help quite a bit with this! Just be sure to choose ones that are safe for pets. The ASPCA has a great list online here. You can also try sprinkling baking soda on the box.

Issues

Pay attention to what you find in the litterbox. Changes in the amount, consistency, color, or odor of Fluffy’s waste could be a sign of a medical concern. Call your vet if you see anything unusual, or if your kitty seems to be having trouble going.

Please reach out if ever we can be of assistance. As your Bennington, NE veterinary clinic, we are here to help!