Some reasons why a cat stops using its litter box:
1. She could have a urinary tract infection (this is especially possible if she is just peeing outside the box but pooping in the box)
– a vet can determine this
2. The litter box isn’t cleaned often enough
– clean at least daily
3. The litter box is too ‘perfumed’ and hurts her nose
– use unscented litter and unscented deodorizing powder (or baking soda)
4. Litter box is in too public or loud a place
– put it somewhere quiet and private
5. She can still smell where she has peed and thinks it’s okay to pee there again
– clean area with a good enzyme cleaner designed to clean urine scent
6. There’s something new in her environment that has upset her (new pet, new noises)
– if you can’t eliminate whatever it is, research ways to acclimate kitty to it
7. There was an abrupt change in the type of litter she uses
– it’s better to change to a new litter slowly by adding a little bit more to the old litter every day
8. Her food and/or bed is too close to her litter box
– move her bathroom further away from her dining area
9. Her only litter box is too far away and, like a little kid, she forgets to head for the box.
– put another box somewhere so she has two choices
These are the most common reasons, but there could be other ones. Make sure there isn’t a medical reason for her mistakes, then check the rest of the possibilities. If you do end up putting a second litter box in your room, you can move it several inches a day until it ends up where you want it.
It won’t hurt to put kitty and her litter box in a bathroom for a few days. Just make sure that her food/water and bed are as far away from the box as you can put them.
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