One in every 10 cats will have a litter box lapse in his or her lifetime. The 19 most common reasons are listed below:
- The cat is suffering from a medical problem involving the urinary tract.
- The cat experiences a bout of geriatric constipation.
- The caretaker does not keep the litter box as clean as the cat wants it to be.
- The owner changes the brand or type of litter (especially deodorized or perfumed litter)
- The owner changes the location of the litter box.
- The owner buys a new box and throws out the old one.
- The owner cleans the litter box with too harsh a cleaning product.
- The location of the litter box is too busy or not private enough for the cat.
- The home is too large for just one litter box.
- The cat inadvertnetly gets locked out of reach of the litter box.
- The cat is kept from using the litter box by another animal in the house
- There are too many cats and not enough territory.
- There are too many cats and not enough litter boxes.
- Stray catss can be seen/smelled near the cat’s territory.
- The unneutered male cat has come of age and is marking his territory.
- The unspayed female is in heat and advertising for suitors.
- Over time, the cat has developed an aversion to the texture of the litter.
- The cat was never properly trained to use the litter box in the first place.
- The cat is stressed by a change in routine or environment, including a new baby, new furniture, work schedule changes, vacations, overnight guests, or a move.
