Do you own a cat? If so, welcome to the club. Cats are one of the most popular pets in the US. In 2017 there were about 95.6 million cats owned as a pet in the US, which equals to close to 68% of all US households.
But cats, as any living creature, need to poop and pee. And although most of the time they can be trained to use a special cat litter box, sometimes they seem to refuse using them. If you’re wondering “why is my cat suddenly pooping outside the litter box?”, let us explain some probable causes:
- Health problems – There are many medical conditions that may be causing this. Fortunately, most of them are simple and a quick trip to the vet can diagnose them and treat them. If you notice your cat having trouble urinating, is constantly his genital area, or if there are traces of blood in the urine, don’t wait any longer and check this with your vet.
- Declawed paws – Having the paws declawed can cause the cat to stop using the litter box since it causes them pain when scratching in their litter.
- Using just one box – Each cat in the house should have his own litter box. There should also be at least one extra box because some cats are picky and like to defecate in one box and urinate in another.
- Location of the litter box – Cats like privacy. Don’t leave the box where people are constantly passing by. Leave some clearance so the cat doesn’t see the box as a trapped space, and try to avoid noisy areas like the laundry room.
- Cleanliness – we know it’s not a glamorous job, but keeping the litter box clean is vital. Scoop it out regularly to encourage its use.
Cat behaviors can be difficult to understand. If these tips haven’t solved your problem, talk to your vet about it. There might be some behavior-modifying medicine the cat can take to correct this issue.
The Best Cat Litter
These are some cat litter suggestions that can make your cat more comfortable when he needs to relieve himself. Be it a large room or a small apartment, there are always options to make your cat feel comfortable.
Arm & Hammer. Ultra Last Litter
This cat litter has a powerful long-lasting odor control. Each granule is covered in baking soda, and it also has extra odor neutralizers that keep the litter from smelling bad all day.
It is 99% dust free, so you won’t end up making a dust cloud when you pour it into the litter box. It works wonders controlling both bowel movements urine so the litter box doesn’t become a stinky mess. Clumps up very nice so scooping is a breeze, and if you’re an eco-friendly person, the box is recyclable.
Dr. Elsey’s Cat Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter
Containing no plant proteins, perfumes or deodorants, but a formula that is amazing in odor control, it will keep your home smelling fresh and clean throughout the day. The litter keeps the moisture from reaching the bottom of the tray and is composed of non-tracking granules that make less mess.
The litter is made with medium grain clay that creates excellent clumping that will not break apart. It is perfect if you have more than one cat and works with mechanical or sifting litter boxes. Wondering how deep should cat litter be? Pour about three inches into the litter box, which is the recommended depth for cats to be able to dig and cover their waste.
sWheat Scoop Multi-Cat All-Natural Clumping Cat Litter
Want a natural solution to your cat litter needs? sWheat Scoop is made from naturally renewable wheat. Farmer-ground, the wheat is then broken into tiny pieces and bagged up. The natural enzymes in it help to neutralize odor on contact while the wheat starches clump up firmly to allow for easier scooping, and is great for multiple-cat homes. It’s an ideal solution for people who want to dispose of cat litter the green way.
What makes this cat litter stand out against most of its competitors is that it is 100% biodegradable. And yes, you can even flush it down the toilet. Of course, if you are changing the entire box with fresh litter don’t dispose all of it at once or it will clog the plumbing system. Do it in small batches, and let it sit in the water for about 15 minutes so it can start to break down. It’s even safe for septic systems!
With this cat litter, you can say goodbye to artificial fragrances, sodium bentonite, dyes, and smelly cat odors.
World’s Best Cat Litter Multiple Cat Clumping Formula
If you have more than one cat, this litter is designed for it, using all-natural plant ingredients for extra odor control, with corn as the main ingredient. It is quick clumping and provides easy scooping. The dust-free formula is lightweight and very absorbent. Every dribble forms its own little clump.
Since it uses natural ingredients it is flushable and safe for septic tanks. It’s recommended to flush only one or two clumps of litter at a time, and only in well-maintained plumbing systems. Do keep in mind your local regulations; for example, the state of California encourages the disposal of cat feces in trash and discourages flushing feces in toilets or disposing of them in drains.
PetSafe ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box Tray Refills
If you own a Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box by PetSafe, these litter refills provide unbeatable odor control, absorbing urine and dehydrating poop. The crystals are made of non-toxic silica gel, don’t stick to your cat’s paws so it’s a good way to keep the cat litter from tracking, and are 99% free of dust. It takes less than a minute to load these trays, and they will keep self-cleaning for weeks. Instead of masking the odors as other litters do, these trays actually remove them.
In the box you get three blue crystal cat litter bags and 3 trays with lids. There are three options to choose from: the original blue crystals, which have a light, fresh scent; the purple ones, with a soothing lavender scent; and the clear litter crystals, which are free of perfumes and dyes and are perfect for sensitive cats.
