Pinpointing the Culprit
Once one of the cats starts avoiding the litter box, it's important to try to find out which one it is. The problem often arises because one cat is dominant over the others and will attempt, often successfully, to keep the other cat, or cats, from using the litter box. Fights can actually follow as the dominant cat 'repels boarders'. In most cases, the cat who is lower on the social spectrum will be the one who is the inappropriate eliminator. Refrain from punishing the guilty party, neither the dominant cat nor the one who is urinating on the rug; just find a solution as quickly as possible.
What to Do
It's not too difficult to overcome litter box avoidance in a multi-cat home, especially if you approach the problem through the eyes of your cats.
Once one of the cats starts avoiding the litter box, it's important to try to find out which one it is. The problem often arises because one cat is dominant over the others and will attempt, often successfully, to keep the other cat, or cats, from using the litter box. Fights can actually follow as the dominant cat 'repels boarders'. In most cases, the cat who is lower on the social spectrum will be the one who is the inappropriate eliminator. Refrain from punishing the guilty party, neither the dominant cat nor the one who is urinating on the rug; just find a solution as quickly as possible.
What to Do
It's not too difficult to overcome litter box avoidance in a multi-cat home, especially if you approach the problem through the eyes of your cats.
Always keep in mind, too, that after discovering who is not using the litter box to have the culprit examined by your vet just to make sure that no medical problem is present.
No comments:
Post a Comment