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Four Reasons Why You Have A Cat Litter Box Problem

By: Kurt Schmitt

The two main causes of a cat litter box problem are behavioral issues and physical problems. The first thing you should do then, is have your vet check out your cat to make sure there are no physical causes.

If your cat learns to link a bad experience with the litter box, she may start to resent the box. If this happens often enough, she may stop using the box altogether. You should be aware that the problem may have a physical cause at the root.

Here are four physical reasons why your cat can't or won't use the box properly.

1. Painful Urination - any medical condition that causes a cat pain while urinating will create a bad association. Since your cat can't hold it forever, she's going to urinate somewhere other than the box at some point. Often, once cats go in a spot, they will return to that spot until you completely remove the odor and/or retrain the cat.

2. Pain During Bowel Movements - constipation and other conditions can cause pain during bowel movements. If this is your cat's problem, she will associate pain with the box. When she does go, it may be on the living room rug, instead of in the box.

3. Pain in Joints and Muscles - your cat has to be able to get in and out of the litter box without experiencing pain, as well as be able to squat. If there's an injury, arthritis, or some other problem with your cat's joints or muscles she may be in pain when using the box. After a few times of this, your cat doesn't use the box anymore.

4. Limited Mobility - in addition to the above, it's possible that your cat may have difficulty getting around well enough to climb into the litter box. If your cat is older, or has an injury or disease, she may be limited in her movement. She simply can't get into the box to use it.

It's not true that your cat just doesn't want to use the box to annoy you, there is some reason, and it could be physical. Your vet will help you determine if a physical cause is your cat's problem.

Once you determine the source of the problem is pain, then your vet can treat the cause. The treatments will vary for For painful urination, bowel movements, or joint or muscle pain depending upon the underlying cause. Some retraining will probably be required. You'll also need a lot of patience to help your cat readjust.

If your cat has a limited mobility problem, there may be some things you can do to help that, in addition to veterinary care. In any case, make it as easy on your cat as possible. A low litter box that your cat doesn't have to step too high into is a good start. A large box that your cat can easily move around in is another idea.

Once the physical cause of a cat litter box problem is identified by your vet, you can work together to help your cat get better. Remember to address any issue that causes your cat to associate an unpleasant experience with the box as soon as possible. Catching these problems early on makes them much easier to deal with.

Article Source: http://www.simplepetcare.com/pet-articles

Kurt Schmitt offers advice on solving cat litter box problems and other cat care issues at Cat Lovers Only
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