Ask The Experts: Cat Refuses to Do Business in Box

Your Pet Question

Our three-year-old cat refuses to use her litter box. What can we do?

Marnie Pollock, Redcliff

The Expert Says:

Cats suddenly stop using their litter boxes for many reasons. The most common ones are a lack of cleanliness or a change in litter type. Some cats are pickier than others. Scoop daily to ensure the box is spotless and try a few different cat litter types until you find one your cat likes. Also, keep the box out of any high traffic areas of your house; cats do like their privacy in these matters. But it could also be a health issue. Urinary tract infections or cat bladder crystals might be causing pain which makes your cat avoid going unless absolutely necessary and then, wherever it happens. So if this behaviour continues after you try changing litters and keeping the box clean and private, please have your cat checked by your veterinarian. It might be something very serious.

Ellie Ross of Kitchener, Ontario, is a professional animal behaviour consultant, owner of Wag and Train Inc., and the expert/host of CTVswo’s “Pup Talk”.