Cats can have several different physical problems that cause this type of behavior.
Many stressful behaviors can come from pain and discomfort. It can be dental problems, joint problems, allergies, kidney and liver problems, hormonal diseases, gastrointestinal problems, yes, a lot can be behind it.
It is important that your cat is carefully examined by a veterinarian before making changes to the litter box. This usually means; an external examination, ultrasound, urine sample where you look for bacteria, crystals, epithelial cells or other abnormalities and even in some cases blood samples.
It is important to rule out any physical impact on the problem so that you treat the cat properly. Either the cat is treated both for the physical together with behavioral treatment or if you have excluded everything physically, you only make an environmental improvement.
Cats can get an inflammation of the bladder (idiopathic cystitis) that comes and goes. Therefore, you may experience that the cat becomes “healthy” or gets rid of its problem for a period but that it then returns.
Sometimes a behavioral problem, such as the cat not being safe in its territory or not being happy with its litter box, can also lead to a physical problem.
So, step one is to visit a veterinarian. When it comes to the environment around the litter box, there is a lot to think about. Some important points are:
You do not need to teach your cat how to use the litter box, they already can. It is the cat’s instinct to bury its feces or urine in sand-like material. From the time the cat is around three weeks old, it is prone to pee and poop on a soft and loose surface. It is very important for the cat to have the right material and in the right place so that I can properly cover what I have left behind. If you know what is important for the cat, then you will make sure that the cat gets a litter box that meets the cat’s needs. The cat can use a litter box, even if it has not seen its mother do so. It is very important that the cat feels safe when using its litter box.
The location of the litter box is important. The litter box should stand so that the cat does not have to look for it. If you have more litter boxes, which you should have as each cat needs at least one litter box each, the cats should not be placed next to each other. The cat wants to be at peace when it is on the box, respect this. Make sure the cat can easily access his litter box. Keep the litter boxes away from things that can scare the cat, sounds, smells, etc. Dogs and children should not be able to disturb the cat when using their litter box. Set the cat box so that the cat can see what and who comes close to the box when it is used. The cat needs to be able to run away quickly if needed. Leave the litter box in the same place. The litter box should be far away from the cat’s food, drink and sleeping area.
Always have more than one litter box, at least as many boxes as you have cats, preferably one in addition. If you or the cat are going somewhere, make sure the same litter boxes are included with the cat.
Even if the cat spends most of its time outdoors, it wants a litter box indoors, so that the possibility exists.
The litter box should be kept clean, even when you are on holiday.
Let the depth of the sand be as the cat wants, some cats prefer less sand and some more. Since you have more litter boxes, try the amount of sand and see which litter box the cat uses the most.
The sand should be soft under the cat’s paws. It is fine-grained sands that are the softest for the cat. Pellets, crystals or larger stones hurt the cat’s sensitive pads.
The litter box should be large enough so that the cat can sit straight and move freely in the litter box.
Preferably use a cat box without a roof. If the cat is a kitten or an older cat, you need a ramp or a litter box with lower edges.
Otherwise, you can have high edges on the rest of the sides to protect so that the sand does not splash out.
The cat does not pee or poop outside the litter box because it is angry at you, the cat is a cat and does not think like us.
There are early signals that the cat is not happy with the environment around its litter box.
If the cat does not dig over what it is doing, standing on the edge of the litter box to avoid the sand, these are two signs, then make improvements at once.
Learn to recognize the difference between when a cat urinates or actually urinates.
When a cat urinates, the cat often stands up against a vertical surface, lifts its tail and sprays.
When a cat sits down and empties the bladder, it is often because there are problems around the litter box, but it can also be a physical problem, if the cat, for example, associates the litter box with pain.
The cat’s needs around the litter box change as the cat gets older, as mentioned earlier. All cats in the household should get along well, otherwise the indoor environment needs to be reviewed. Never punish the cat if it does not use its litter box! Neither physically nor by shouting at the cat.
Try to think that the litter box should mimic the places where the cat pees when it is not using its litter box, it gives a small hint of how the cat wants the litter to be, where it should be placed, amount of sand etc.
Also make the places that the cat uses less attractive instead. Clean these areas with enzyme cleaner.
Try as much as possible to avoid locking the cat in a room to get it to use its box.
Sometimes cat sedative supplements help with cat litter problems.
Have great patience and hope! Most problems that the cat has with his litter box can be solved, there are many solutions! Remember that step one is ALWAYS to go to the vet.