There are extremely obvious signs that all is not right in kitty’s litter box world. Those signs include total or frequent avoidance of the box. In this blog, however, I want to focus on the more subtle signs of litter substrate dislike.
It’s important to point out that ANY litter box problem should be viewed as a red flag that there may be an underlying medical problem. If your cat displays ANY change in litter box habits, please make an appointment to have him checked out by the veterinarian. An underlying medical problem is one of the most common reasons for inappropriate elimination.
Your cat has amazing senses. Two of those senses really come into play when addressing the actual litter substrate in the box: smell and touch. If the litter is too dirty or if the scent of a particular brand is too strong, your cat may find it objectionable. Texture is also important. Most cats prefer the soft, sandy texture of scoopable litter. If the litter has large granules or is pellet-size, he may not like the feel on his paws. Litter that sticks to his paws too much or is too dusty can also lead to aversion.
If your cat has a dislike for the scent, dustiness, lack of cleanliness, or texture of the litter, he may not totally avoid the box but may perch on the edge. It’s his way of having as little contact with the substrate as possible. He may avoid digging and covering or he may paw at the wall behind the box or on the surrounding floor. Some cats vigorously shake their paws after exiting the box to rid themselves of the unpleasant litter. If you hear him sneezing quite a bit when near the litter it could be too dusty.
Your cat may try to get as close to the box as possible for elimination but when there’s a litter aversion, he might only be able to tolerate being near but not actually in the box. Elimination attempts might be on the floor or rug next to the box.
If you suspect litter substrate aversion, take an objective look at your scooping and cleaning schedule. Nobody wants to use an unflushed toilet. Scoop at least twice a day and thoroughly scrub the box at least monthly (scrub weekly if using non-scoopable). Keep the level of litter adequate by topping off every few days. Typically, a good 3-inch level is adequate for most cats.
To test whether it’s the litter itself that’s objectionable, put out an additional litter box (a simple, uncovered one) with a different kind. If you’ve been using traditional clay litter then put out a box of soft, scoopable litter. If you’ve been using highly scented litter then use unscented in the second box. If you’re totally unsure what kind kitty might prefer you can set out a third box. Your cat will let you know his preference.
There’s a litter brand commercially available called Cat Attract that may be helpful if you’re unsure which type to try. It was developed by a veterinarian and it contains special herbs that help entice the cat to want to eliminate there.
Never abruptly switch litter brands or types because cats dislike change. If you’re going to experiment with different litters, do it by putting out additional boxes.
For more specific help with other types of litter box aversion problems, refer to the book Starting from Scratch.
Pam Johnson-Bennett is a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant and owner of Cat Behavior Associates, LLC.
