Ask Hopeful Henry: We need litter box advice

Litter Box advice that will keep you and kitty happy.

One of the most common questions I get is how do I keep the cat using their litter box. First the number and location of the litter boxes are very important issues. Many cats will not use a litter box if it has been used by another cat. In addition, some cats prefer to urinate in one box and defecate in another. Also, a common cause of kitty not using their litter box stems from a more dominant cat blocking the pathway to the litter box. The more passive/timid cat is forced to look elsewhere for a bathroom. In this situation it is critical to have enough boxes in ‘safe’ areas to minimize this issue.

Don't put all of the litter boxes in the same spot if you have a bully cat that may be blocking a timid cat from the box. Place the boxes in quiet, low traffic areas. The laundry room is often not a suitable place due to the noise from the washer and dryer. Also, do not place litter boxes near the cat’s eating area.

A very common problem arises when people allow young kittens or frightened adult cats that have recently been adopted to have access to too large of an environment without enough litter boxes close by. Often the scared cat or kitten is hiding in one part of the house while his litter box is in another part of the house.

Keep in mind that these animals are not going to suddenly become brave when their bladder gets full and venture out to look for a litter box in a strange environment.

Humans often expect far too much from a young or scared kitten or a scared adult cat!!

In the case of a recently adopted kitten or cat, keep his world small (a single room) until you know that he is using the litter box and is comfortable in his room. Depending on the kitten or cat, this may take several days or a couple of weeks. Only when he is comfortable in one room should you open up the door and let him venture out. Do not carry him to another part of the house. Instead, let him pick his own path so that he will know how to get back to his litter box.

Even if a new kitten is brave and sociable, do not just turn this kitten loose in a large area and expect him to know or remember where his litter box is if he gets to playing at a distance from that box - or if something does scare him and he ends up hiding in a part of the house far from his litter box.

They should not be expect to remember that their bathroom is 'down the hall...second door on the right'. When a kitten has to go....he has to go now and they often will not hold it while they go and search for their litter box. Please remember that human children take a long time to potty train and be thankful that kittens are much easier to train! However, even though kittens are much better than human babies when it comes to being litter box trained, don't push your luck and stress the kitten by allowing him access to a large environment without his litter box very close by and easily accessible. Otherwise, you will end up fostering very bad habits in the kitten if he gets used to urinating and defecating in areas other than his litter box.

The other thing that is extremely important is to keep the litter box clean! How often does a human flush their own toilet? Please keep the answer to this question in mind as it pertains to just how clean you should be keeping your cat's litter box.

Cats should not have to dig around in their own waste - or that of their housemates - looking for a clean spot. PLEASE do NOT let your litter box get more than 3 items in it! If you cannot stick to the '3 item' rule because of your work schedule, then please add more boxes.

Hoping this will help those of you with kitty litter box issues.
Hopeful Henry

It’s time again to submit your furry family member’s photos to the Lake Tahoe Humane Society’s Calendar/Card photo contest. Just go to www.LakeTahoeHumaneSociety.org and click on the calendar link, scroll to bottom of the page, fill out form & Submit your pic. It a fun way to support our Lake Tahoe Humane Society and help them help local animals in need.

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