Do cats not use litter? Try these 9 methods!
Most cats can quickly learn to use litter pots, but some cats are not so smart, or too personality, and do not use litter pots. It is really sad to meet cats who do not use litter pots. If the cat doesn’t use the litter basin, you can try the following methods, which will be very useful!
Table of Contents
1, Move the litter pan to a proper position
When the cat is frightened by the loud noise or harassed by other pets, it may refuse to use the litter again. However, if the cat is not satisfied with your new place, it will still refuse to use the litter basin. You can put the litter basin in a quiet place with at least two exits. If someone comes, the cat can see in time and be ready to retreat at any time.
Put the cat litter bowl away from the cat’s rice bowl and water bowl. The cat doesn’t like to eat, drink and eat in the same place. If the cat has an unpleasant experience when urinating in the litter pan, it will quickly run in and out of the litter pan, or go to the toilet next to the litter pan. If you notice these abnormal behaviors of cats, you can put the litter pot in other places. If your house has several floors, you can also put a cat litter basin on each floor.
2, Let the cat play with toys beside the litter basin
You can take the cat to the litter basin and let it feel for it. But don’t reward the cat for urinating in the litter basin. Doing so will only backfire and make the cat feel uncomfortable or afraid. Unlike dogs, cats are more assertive and need to make their own choices. It is also a good way to put toys near the litter basin to make cats interested in this place.
3, Keep the litter basin clean
If the cat likes to excrete on or beside the litter basin, the basin will be very dirty. Clean the caked cat litter at least once a day, and then replace it with clean cat litter. Wash the cat basin with baking soda once a week.
If the cat litter you use will not agglomerate, you can also wait a few days to replace all the cat litter, so as not to smoke the cat away by the unpleasant smell. Do not use any scented detergent to clean the cat litter basin, and do not use disinfectants, because most of these products contain ingredients that are toxic to cats, unless the product description is applicable to the cat litter basin.
4, Gradually replace with new cat litter
After you buy a new cat litter, you can mix a small amount of new cat litter with the original cat litter for the first time, and then gradually increase the amount of new cat litter each time. It is easier for cats to adapt to the new cat litter which is close to the original cat sand.
If you can’t buy the cat litter you used before, you can buy two or three kinds of new cat litter, put them side by side, and let the cat choose its favorite one. Adjust the depth of the cat sand, especially when the new cat sand is different from the original one. Many cats like litter less than 5cm deep, and long-haired cats like especially shallow litter because they like to dig to the ground.
5, Let the cat adapt to the new litter basin
If the cat doesn’t adapt to the new litter pan, you can make these adjustments to make the litter pan look more attractive. Some cats like litter pots with lids, while some cats are just the opposite, so you can try them all. Remove the plastic pad from the litter basin to prevent these things from tripping the cat’s paws. Most cats can adapt well to self-cleaning litter pots, but not all cats.
If the cat is prone to anxiety, it may be frightened by the sound inside and dare not use the litter again. Therefore, if you are not sure whether the cat can adapt to the self-cleaning type, it is better to use a common cat litter basin for it. If the new litter pot is smaller than the old one, you must replace the cat with a larger one. The large box with shorter sides is more suitable, and some people will use the sorting box instead.
6, Clean the cat’s stool with enzyme detergent
When the cat refuses to use the litter basin, you can clean the litter basin with a detergent specially designed to remove cat urine, or mix the detergent with enzyme and water in a ratio of 1:9, which can also effectively remove the smell of cat urine. Cats prefer to stay in the litter bowl without smell. For better results, you can spray a little external alcohol after the water is dry, and then gently scrub and dry.
7, Don’t let the cat urinate anywhere
If the cat likes to urinate in a dark place, you can install a lamp there, preferably a voice control lamp. Put plastic film or double-sided adhesive tape on the carpet so that the cat will not defecate on it.
If the cat likes to pee on the curtain, you can clip the curtain up until the cat learns to use the litter basin again. Cover the furniture that the cat loves with plastic cloth or shower curtain. Put some water in the bathtub and sink when not in use.
8, Put a litter basin where the cat often urinates
Sometimes, you can take a compromise and put a litter basin in the corner where the cat often urinates. Of course, if the cat likes to pee on the carpet in the living room, it is useless to take this method. You can also take the cat’s bowl to the place where it likes to defecate. Most cats do not want to defecate in the place where they eat.
9, Adapt to cat preferences
You can make the best use of your cat’s preferences to adjust. If you can’t adjust it for a while, you have to take your time. If the cat likes to pee on the carpet, you can put a similar blanket in the litter basin. When the cat is willing to pee on this blanket, you can add a little cat litter on the blanket every day. When the cat is fully used to the litter, you can change the blanket.
You can also shut the cat in a place without a carpet or temporarily remove the carpet. However, if the cat itself is easy to be nervous and irritable, when you restrict its freedom, it will undoubtedly only make matters worse.
If cats don’t use litter, try these methods! Be sure to teach cats to use litter when they are young, or it will be very troublesome to clean it up!
