The Litter Box Blues

Cats are very well aware of how amazing they are, so if they don’t like something, they have no trouble letting you know! Unfortunately, (most) people aren’t fluent in cat, so some things get lost in translation. Cats often demonstrate their discontent through changes in their behavior.

One of the most frustrating issues for both you and your cat is avoidance of the litter box. If you are a proud new kitty parent, there are some great tips for creating a comfortable litter box set up in your home. If you stop by one of our adoption centers and take home a cutie like Simon, just ask our adoption counselors for even more tips and tricks on getting your litter box ready to go!

This handsome young fellow is, Simon! Simon is making his adoption floor debut at our Russell H. Perry Animal Care Center in McKinney. The 2-year-old is always a purr-fect gentleman and he can’t wait to meet you. #AdoptDontShop pic.twitter.com/WmyrlyDrad

— SPCA of Texas (@spcaoftexas) May 30, 2018

Is your litter box trained cat suddenly refusing to do their business in the box? If the box isn’t being cleaned at least once daily or you recently made a change to the location of the box or their litter, there’s a good chance the cat is unhappy with the setup. Litter boxes need to be scooped every day and located far from the cat’s food area. Any changes in the type of box or litter need to be gradual so that your cat has time to transition.

In fact, any changes in living situation can be stressful to your cat and cause them to avoid the litter box. A new baby, a teen headed off to college, changes in your work schedule, a new home or a new pet could all be the source of their anxiety over using the litter box. The SPCA of Texas Behavior team has a whole list of options for resolving these issues so you and your cat can be happy and stress-free. If none of the above apply to your household, a trip to the vet is recommended as your cat may be trying to communicate that they aren’t feeling well.

The next time your cat is acting out, try and determine what is causing their crankiness. A small adjustment in routine or living arrangement can make all the difference!