I've had cats all of my life. I recently got a one-half Ragdoll and one-half Persian. She was close to 8 weeks old when I got her. She, of course, is fabulous. I also have a Ragamuffin, Muffie, who is 11/2 years old. She is perfect. Problem: I can't get my new kitty, Skittles, to use the litter box. I've talked to vets, done research on the Internet, etc. She will go on newspaper; therefore, I believe she was never litter-box trained and the sellers may have just used newspapers. I've tried getting her own litter box, tried placing her in Muffie's litter box, no luck. Any suggestions?
Litter-box problems are a common source of frustration for people living with cats, mostly because the reasons behind them seem random or just plain confounding. But, as feline behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett points out in her book Cat vs. Cat, it's important for owners to remember that a cat doesn't look upon its box as simply a place to eliminate but has a "complex and emotional" relationship with the box. That relationship becomes more complicated when the cat shares a household and a box with another cat.
Most litter-box issues -- avoiding or refusing to use the box topping the list -- can be traced to health problems such as bladder infections or kidney disease, overcrowding (too many cats, too few boxes), dirty boxes or box location. The type of litter being used may also play a role. When there are two or more cats in a household, you also have to consider that one cat may feel bullied by the other and avoid the litter box for fear of being ambushed in it.
Since you mentioned you talked to your veterinarian, we'll assume that health problems have been ruled out and move on to other possible explanations and strategies. (If medical problems are still a consideration, however, Skittles should be examined by the veterinarian.)
• Overcrowding: Although getting Skittles her own box hasn't seemed productive, make sure she continues to have a separate box. Johnson-Bennett says it's a basic fact of the life that if you have more than one cat, you must have more than one litter box. Cats don't like to share and they really don't want to get into a litter box that's been dirtied by another cat.
• Cleanliness: The boxes need to scooped (waste removed) at least twice a day. If you can manage it, scoop whenever you pass by a box and notice it has been used.
• Type of litter: Since Skittles will go to the bathroom on newspaper, you could try lining one litter box with a few sheets of newspaper. If she uses that, then add a layer of shredded newspaper. (Paper will need to be replaced after each use.)
Backing up a little, you might have to start slowly by putting the newspaper next to the box; when Skittles uses the paper, transfer the soiled paper to the box so that her scent will be there. Then remove the soiled sheet and place clean paper in the box as well as next to the box. The next step will be to have paper only in the box.
When the cat begins consistently using the paper-lined box, try adding a scattering of litter to the newspaper. This follows the same principle as mentioned a few weeks ago in a column about how to help a cat adapt to a change in food. Cats can be as picky about their litter as they are about food. It's all about texture and scent. So it's critical to make any changes gradually.
Skittles will let you know if she approves of the new litter. If she starts avoiding the box, back off on the litter. Or you might try a different type, such as pellets made from newspaper.
• Location: Skittles may require more privacy than Muffie, so position her box in a separate location and make sure it's in a quiet, low-traffic area. Also, Bennett-Johnson says, since individual cats seem to prefer certain areas of the house and also stake out their own territory, take note of where Skittles hangs out. If she prefers a bedroom, place her box in the room or nearby. Most cats will use the box closest to the place they consider to be their territory.
Family on 02/03/2016