Tag Archives: cleaning cat’s litterbox

Behavior, Cat Care, General Health

Your Cat’s Aversion to the Litterbox

Has your cat been eliminating outside of the litterbox, creating messes on your carpets and floors? About one in every 10 cats will experience a litterbox aversion at some point in their life! Here, your Roanoke, VA veterinarian tells you what to do if your feline friend has shunned her bathroom.

See the Vet

First things first—schedule an appointment to have your cat examined at the veterinarian’s office. There is a chance that medical issues, including infection, injury, or disease, could be the cause of your cat’s behavior! You’ll want to have any medical problems taken care of so that your cat doesn’t suffer further.

Many of our older feline companions suffer from arthritis, which can make it difficult for your cat to hoist themselves into the box. Try using a litterbox with low sides if you have an arthritic cat.

Placement

One of the main reasons that cats decide not to use their litterbox is because of where it’s located. Our feline friends are picky about this sort of thing; they don’t want to be disturbed while doing their business. Put the litterbox in a quiet, low-key area of the house where your cat won’t be interrupted by human family members or other pets. In most homes, a basement or laundry room works well.

Cleanliness

Who wants to do their business in a dirty bathroom? Not your cat! If you don’t clean Fluffy’s litterbox often enough, she may decide to go elsewhere. We recommend scooping out your cat’s waste on a daily basis, and changing all litter about once a week. This will ensure that the litterbox stays fresh and will further entice your cat into using it regularly.

Litter Preference

There is a wide variety of litter types out there, and different cats like different ones. There are scented versions, different granule sizes, different base materials… the list goes on and on! You may have to do some experimenting to find a litter type that your cat enjoys using. Ask your veterinarian for help.

Negative Association

If your cat was startled or injured while using a litterbox early on in life, she may associate negative things with the litterbox now. This kind of issue might take the help of a professional animal behaviorist or trainer to correct; ask your vet to put you in touch.

For help with your cat’s bathroom habits, call your Roanoke, VA vet.

Cat Care, General Care

Respect Your Cat Day

Did you know that March 28th is Respect Your Cat Day? We know, our feline pals demand respect every day. However, while indulging your cat with catnip mice is great, the best way to show your kitty proper respect is to simply make sure that her needs are being met. A local Roanoke, VA vet offers tips on how to do that in this article.

Toys

Although your furry friend will spend a rather excessive amount of time snoozing, she can’t sleep all the time. Make sure your feline buddy has plenty of entertainment options for when she is awake. It’s also important to offer your kitty something to watch. A window seat with a good view is purrfect.

Facilities

Make sure to keep your four-legged friend’s powder room nice and clean. Cats hate dirty bathrooms! We recommend scooping the litterbox out daily, and changing the litter thoroughly every week.

Veterinary Care

We recommend that all kitties be microchipped, spayed or neutered, and kept current on vaccinations and parasite control. Most cats should see the vet for wellness care at least once a year, once they are fully grown. It’s also important to watch for signs of sickness. Fluffy often tries to hide signs of illness, so you may not notice anything until she is quite sick. Call your vet immediately if you notice anything amiss.

Purrniture

Kitties love to explore little nooks and crannies. Get Fluffy some pet furniture with small spaces she can hide in. Cat towers are great as well, as they offer our feline friends scratching posts, jungle gyms, napping spots, and lookout points, all in one.

Comfort

As you may have noticed, cats are rather fond of napping. In fact, sleeping is probably Fluffy’s favorite pastime. Make sure your kitty has plenty of comfy bed and napping spots to snuggle up in. (Of course, your cute pet may ignore her bed and sleep in a shoebox, but that’s beside the point.)

Keeping Kitty Content

Cats may have a reputation for being cold and aloof, but at the end of the day, they can be very affectionate. Pay lots of attention to your furball. Talk to her, play with her, and let her snuggle up with you when she wants.

Please contact us, your local Roanoke, VA pet clinic, for all of your cat’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!