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This article was co-written by Francine Miller. Francine Miller is an applied animal behavior expert and founder of Call Ms Behaving, a company that provides behavioral counseling for dogs and cats in San Diego, California. With over 16 years of experience, Francine specializes in treating behavioral problems such as aggression, anxiety, fear, fear reactions, destructive actions, urine marking and other behaviors. coercive. She uses a management plan and behavior modification as positive incentives. She holds a certificate in canine behavioral counseling from the American College of Applied Sciences (ACAS). Francine completed a master’s degree in applied animal behavioral science and family pet counseling offered by the American College of Applied Sciences (ACAS). She is a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and the Pet Professional Guild.
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Does your cat refuse to defecate in the sandbox anymore? Understanding why your cat isn’t using the sandbox is key to correcting its behavior. The underlying cause is often stress, such as changes occurring in the home. Health problems are also another common culprit if your cat suddenly stops using the litter box, especially older cats.
Steps
Re-train after moving house, changing sand, or after a negative event
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Move the sandbox to the appropriate location. A cat may stop defecating in the sandbox after experiencing an event that frightens it, such as a loud noise or being disturbed by another animal. Maybe they hate the placement of the sandbox when you move it or move house. You should place the sandbox in a quiet, low-traffic area where the cat can see people approaching. Choose a room with at least two exits so the cat doesn’t feel enclosed. [1] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- Place the sandbox away from the food and water bowls. Cats do not like to eat and go to the toilet in the same place.
- Signs that your cat is uncomfortable with the litter box are rushing to get in and out of the litter box or going to the bathroom near the litter box. [2] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source Try moving the sandbox to another room if you notice this.
- Put at least one sandbox on each floor if your house has multiple floors. [3] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to Source
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Play with the cat near the sandbox. Try playing with the cat in the sandbox area. Leave toys (not food) in the room for the cat to play there and create a positive association with the sandbox. [4] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- You can bring the cat near the sandbox to let it explore on its own, but don’t put the cat in the sandbox or reward it for using the sandbox. Those tactics can backfire because they make the cat uncomfortable or scared. [5] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to the source Unlike dogs, cats often choose their own sandboxes, especially if they’ve used them in the past.
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Keep the sandbox clean. If the cat is sitting on the edge of the sandbox or going to the toilet next to it, it probably finds the litter box too dirty. [6] X Research Source Clean up any lumps and cover with a fresh layer of sand at least once a day, twice as much as possible. Wash the sandbox once a week with baking soda or unscented soap. [7] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- If using a non-clumping sand, you should change all the sand in the box every two days to prevent odors from building up and keep the cat away. [8] X Research Sources
- Do not wash the sandbox with scented products. Do not use a disinfectant unless it is a product specifically designed for cleaning cat litter boxes, as many disinfectants contain chemicals that are toxic to cats. [9] X Research Source
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Change to a new type of sand gradually. If you buy a new type of sand, you need to introduce the cat slowly. Mix some new sand with the old sand and gradually increase the percentage of new sand with each sand change. [10] X Research Source Cats often adapt easily to odorless sand and have a texture similar to old sand. [11] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- If you can’t buy old sand, buy two or three new ones. Pour each type of sand into a separate box next to each other and let the cat choose its own favorite litter box.
- Try adjusting the depth of the sand, especially if the new sand has a different texture than the sand your cat is used to. Many cats prefer shallow sand less than 5 cm. Long-haired cats often prefer very thin layers of sand so that they can dig down to the bottom of the box. [12] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to source
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Fixed crash when using new sandbox. If your cat doesn’t respond well to changing the litter box, try the following adjustments to make the litter box more appealing to cats: [13] X Research Source
- Some cats like sheltered litter boxes, others prefer open litter boxes. Try adding or removing the sandbox cover.
- Remove the plastic liner in the sandbox. Cats can be uncomfortable because their paws get caught in the lining. [14] X Research Source
- Most cats adapt well to self-cleaning litter boxes, but not all cats do. There are anxious cats that will be afraid of the sound of the motor running and refuse to go to the toilet in the sandbox. If you are in doubt, it is best to use a normal sandbox.
- If the new sandbox is smaller in size than the old one, you may need to replace it with a larger one. Large, low-walled sandboxes are best; Some people use plastic containers for household items to make sandboxes. [15] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
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Sanitize cat feces and urine with an enzyme cleaner. When your cat refuses to use the litter box, you should use an enzyme cleaner specifically designed to remove cat urine (or a 10% solution of enzyme laundry detergent mixed with water). Rinse with cold water. This method helps to deodorize the urine that causes the cat to return to where it was. [16] X Research Source
- For best results, spray rubbing alcohol on the area to be cleaned once it has dried. Clean and let dry naturally.
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Make the area unattractive to cats. If your cat starts to have a habit of defecating in certain areas, you should block the path to that place or find a way to temporarily discourage the cat until it learns good behavior:
- If your cat likes to go to the bathroom in a hidden and dark place, install a bright light, preferably a motion sensor light. [17] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- Cover the carpet or other areas with tin foil or double-sided tape to make it uncomfortable for the cat to stand on. [18] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- If the cat urinates on the curtains, clip the curtains up high, out of reach of the cat until he returns to using the sandbox. [19] X Research Source
- Use plastic sheets or shower curtains to cover up items your cat might be targeting. [20] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to source
- Leave some water in the tub or sink when not in use. [21] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to Source
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Place sandboxes in problematic places. Another solution is to indulge the cat’s whims by placing more litter boxes in places where they usually go to the bathroom. Of course, it’s not ideal if that place is the rug in the middle of the living room, but it’s worth considering if cats often get dirty in the far corners of the house.
- Another option is to move the cat’s food bowl to that location. Most cats don’t eat and defecate in the same place.
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Take advantage of the cat’s whims. If the above adjustments don’t work, you may need to resort to a slower transition. For example, if your cat likes to pee on the carpet, place a similar piece of carpet in the sandbox. If the cat tolerates this, the next day spread some sand on the carpet. Continue to add more sand and change the carpet when it gets too dirty until the cat has completely switched to the litter box.
- You may have to keep your cat in an un-carpeted area for a while for this to work, or roll up the carpet temporarily. Confining a cat can be counterproductive if the cat is stressed or bored.
- Similarly, if your cat is both indoors and outdoors, add garden soil or sand to the box (no fertilizer). Gradually transition from soil/sand to cat litter by adding new litter to the box little by little.
Treat other causes
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Cat sterilization. It’s not a must in potty training, but neutering your cat will help reduce the chances of your cat urinating outside the litter box. Male cats that are not spayed often spray urine when they are stressed, in conflict with other male cats, or “showing off” to female cats. [22] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- The sooner neutering is done, the better the cat’s ability to prevent this behavior. If the condition persists for too long, the habit may persist even after surgery. [23] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to Source
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Stress relief for cats . Like humans, cats can be stressed due to changes in the environment or schedule. Your cat may stop using the sandbox after another person or animal leaves the house, or when another character moves in. Some cats even react badly when their homes are redecorated. Here are a few ways that can be helpful:
- Create secluded places where your cat can be alone, including secluded and elevated places.
- If your cat is allowed outside, let her choose where she likes to go. [24] X Research Source
- Allow the cat to initiate contact first, and be calm and consistent in responding to the cat. Some cats are stressed because they don’t get enough play, others just don’t like being petted or picked up at any time.
- If your cat’s behavior persists, you should consult your veterinarian or animal behavior specialist.
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Respond to cat urinating on vertical surfaces. If your cat is leaning against a vertical surface, wagging its tail and spraying urine, it is marking its territory. If you can’t see that, look for urine-smelling circles a little above the cat’s bottom and traces of water running down the baseboards or floors. Any cat can mark territory, but this behavior is most common in unneutered male cats. Here’s how to respond:
- Marking behavior is often a response to stress or the presence of other cats. [25] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to the source Follow the advice above to deal with this problem.
- The act of spraying urine can be a response to the arrival of a new neighbor’s cat, especially when it focuses on doors, windows or ventilation holes. Try not to let the cat out in the yard, or pull down the curtains so your cat can’t see the other cat.
- About 30% of cats with urine spraying behavior examined by a veterinarian have health problems. [26] X Research Source Taking your cat to the doctor is a good idea, especially if you can’t find a solution that works.
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Replace the litter box as the kitten grows. If you’ve had your cat since it was a baby, you’ll need to replace it with a larger litter box as the cat grows older. The litter box should be large enough for the cat to move around comfortably and still be able to find a clean spot if you haven’t cleaned it up in time. [27] X Research Source
- Cats don’t like change, and it may take some time for them to get used to the new sandbox. Follow the instructions above if the problem persists.
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Trimming for long-haired cats. Some longhaired cats will get dirty hair near the tail when going to the toilet. The cat may be in pain or discomfort, and this causes it to contact the sandbox. If you find this happening, trim the tangled hair in that area. [28] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
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Limit damage when the cat owner is away. Some cats react badly when their owners are away. They may try to urinate where the owner’s scent remains, usually on the bed. You should tell the pet sitter to close the bedroom door and place more sandboxes so that the cat can find the litter box on his own without being led. [29] X Research Sources
- If possible, hire someone to take care of a pet your cat is familiar with, or at least introduce it to before you leave the house.
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Improve the behavior of cats when the house has many pets. Urine marking is a common cat reaction to conflict with another dog or cat, even if they have previously gotten along well. For best results, make sure each animal has their share so they don’t compete: [30] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- Give each pet a sandbox, plus an extra spare. Place each box in its own place with at least two exits if possible.
- Give each child their own bed and bowl, keeping them apart and away from the sandboxes.
- Give each cat plenty of private, overhead space.
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Separate each pet if the bad behavior persists. If your cat still refuses to defecate in the sandbox or is still in conflict with other animals, try separating them more thoroughly. This is often essential when you bring a new cat home: [31] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- Separate each cat into each room and close the door so they can’t see each other but can smell each other. Help them get used to each other’s scents by feeding two on either side of the door or letting them switch rooms every day.
- After a few days, open the door ajar. If they don’t react badly, put them in contact with each other.
- If the animals are aggressive, tether them at a safe distance in the same room in short bursts to play or eat and gradually bring them closer together.
- Once the cats calm down, try rubbing some tuna water on their heads. This encourages them to relax by licking or even licking each other.
Eliminate health problems
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Assess whether the cat is having difficulty urinating. If you notice that your cat seems to be straining to urinate or is struggling to urinate, you need to take your cat to the vet right away. In particular, male cats can develop urinary tract disease when the urethra (the tube leading from the bladder to the penis) is narrowed or blocked. Usually, a small amount of urine will still pass until the blockage is complete and the cat is unable to urinate. This is a life-threatening situation and requires immediate medical attention. Obstruction can also occur in the intestinal tract.
- Some cats with urinary tract infections or urinary blockages struggle to urinate, lick their genitals, or call out to their owners. [32] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to source
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Assess whether your cat is having trouble defecating. Constipation can become chronic, requiring a special diet and the use of laxatives. Diarrhea is also not uncommon, including chronic diarrhea associated with inflammatory bowel disease. These diseases are all annoying and can make cats afraid of the sandbox or not get to the litter box in time to avoid problems.
- For some reason, many cats with inflammatory bowel disease show symptoms only occasionally. Loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, or the appearance of many tufts of hair in the stomach can be signs of an upset stomach. [33] X Research Sources
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Make it easier for your cat to access the sandbox. If the cat is old or injured, it may not be able to get in and out of the litter box as easily as it used to. Does your cat limp, need help to jump on a chair or bed, get shaky legs, or seem to have tailbone or tail pain? If so, you need to take your cat to the vet right away! You can make it more comfortable for your cat by using a sandbox with a low wall or with a cut “entry” on the side of the box. You may also want to consider using a larger box so that the cat can easily turn around when entering the box.
- Overweight cats may no longer fit in the sandbox. Find a larger litter box and feed the cat on a diet. Ask your veterinarian for advice on safe methods of weight loss for cats.
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Talk to your veterinarian to rule out other health problems. Urinating outside the litter box is often caused by a cat’s health problems, including urinary tract infections, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, cystitis with or without crystals in the bladder. urine, and intestinal diseases. If in doubt, take your cat to the vet for a checkup.
- Observe the cat to prepare to respond when the veterinarian asks. Questions may include: Does your cat pee right next to the sandbox or far away? Is there a lot of urine? Do cats ever try to pee in the sandbox? Does it sound when urinating? Does it drink more water? Is the cat’s urine almost transparent, normal or dark in color? Does the cat pee many times?
- Even if there are no health problems, your veterinarian may still prescribe anti-anxiety medications for cats to prevent territorial marking behavior. This is not a guaranteed or risk-free solution, so talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of this treatment. [34] X Research Source
Advice
- You may have to look for subtle urine stains in places such as under carpets, cushions, and the floor underneath. Ultraviolet light used in the dark will make urine stains light up.
- If you have multiple cats in your home and you’re not sure which ones pee outside the litter box, you can talk to your vet about giving each cat fluorescein. This is a harmless dye that temporarily causes cat urine to glow blue under ultraviolet light. [35] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to the source Another way is to keep each cat in a separate room until you find the “culprit”.
- If your dog disturbs the cat while it is defecating in the sandbox, or trying to rummage through the cat’s sandbox, block the dog’s access to the sandbox with a baby door. Raise the door high enough that only cats can get in, but dogs can’t. [36] X Research Source
Warning
- Don’t punish your cat for refusing to use the litter box, including poking her nose in urine or feces. [37] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source This action will not help improve cat behavior.
- Do not clean cat urine with ammonia-based cleaners. Urine contains ammonia, so the smell of ammonia can attract cats back to the place where they urinated. [38] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- Urine marking is more common if you have multiple cats in tight spaces. According to some studies, this is almost impossible to avoid in homes with ten or more cats. [39] X Research Sources
- Cats that mark their territory when stressed often revert to this behavior when they are faced with a new source of anxiety. If this happens, getting your cat to the doctor promptly can make it easier for you to find a solution to this habit. [40] X Research Source
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This article was co-written by Francine Miller. Francine Miller is an applied animal behavior expert and founder of Call Ms Behaving, a company that provides behavioral counseling for dogs and cats in San Diego, California. With over 16 years of experience, Francine specializes in treating behavioral problems such as aggression, anxiety, fear, fear reactions, destructive actions, urine marking and other behaviors. coercive. She uses a management plan and behavior modification as positive incentives. She holds a certificate in canine behavioral counseling from the American College of Applied Sciences (ACAS). Francine completed a master’s degree in applied animal behavioral science and family pet counseling offered by the American College of Applied Sciences (ACAS). She is a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and the Pet Professional Guild.
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Does your cat refuse to defecate in the sandbox anymore? Understanding why your cat isn’t using the sandbox is key to correcting its behavior. The underlying cause is often stress, such as changes occurring in the home. Health problems are also another common culprit if your cat suddenly stops using the litter box, especially older cats.
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