Cat - Is Your Cat Not Using The Litter Box?

Save 5% on orders over $75 at Only Natural Pet Store! Use coupon code CJ75. Many people have this problem with their cats! Truth is, there are several things that can cause your cat to stop using their litter box. Medical problems, stress, and litter box conditions are three of the top reasons for house soiling. Fortunately, the problem can be avoided and usually solved by following a few simple steps. Perhaps your cat is avoiding the litter box because of a medical condition. If pain is caused while going to the bathroom, your cat may avoid their litter box because they identify their bathroom area with pain. If your cat normally uses the litter box and suddenly stops, it is important to make sure it is not part of a medical condition by calling a veterinarian. If your cat is avoiding their litter box because of stress, look for ways to de-stress your cat. Make sure they have privacy for sleeping and resting. It's important for your feline to have a quiet place to escape from the stress that other cats, dogs or children can cause. Here are some more quick things you can do to avoid stress on your cat. Provide several designated scratch posts in the house. Toys and catnip can also be a good means for stress relief. If you have an indoor cat, give them a safe place to go outdoors. A fenced yard or a porch can make a nice temporary escape. Your cat avoiding their litter box due to unfavorable conditions is a problem that is easy to solve. Consider that cats must have privacy in their bathroom area. Sometimes they even prefer a dark room to a lit one. Make sure there are not loud noises in their litter box area. A washing machine or dryer can be irritating and cause your cat to seek a quieter place to do their business. You might also try using multiple litter boxes in the house. For example, if your house has several floors then put at least one litter box on each floor. Does their litter box have a lid? Try taking the lid off or changing their litter to a different type. (Of course this could also be a cause of your cat not using the litter box as well) It is usually pointless to punish your cat for not using the litter box. Chances are, your cat will not understand why they're being punished and you will aggravate the problem. First, rule out that your cat does not have a medical condition by calling your vet. Then try a combination of the other methods and you should be well on your way to solving your cat's house soiling problem. Wait! Don't give up on your cat! A well planned behavior program may be all your kitty needs. Go here for simple tips to help you get your feline inline! Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Allen Cat - Cat Constipation Normally a cat has bowel movements once or twice a day. If the pet does not do it or strain to do it with hard feces, the cat is suffering from Constipation. It is a very common problem with cats and an occasional bout of Constipation is nothing to worry about. But when a cat is chronically constipated it needs serious attention. As the cats age they are more prone to this problem. There are quite a few causes of Cat Constipation. Obstructions like hairballs, tumors and foreign bodies stop the movement of the feces inside the colon, and the fecal matter builds up. This becomes a hard dry mass and distends the colon, which looses its ability to contract and expel feces. This condition is known as megacolon. When the cats are constipated they behave in a typical manner. They run to their litter box quite often and strain to pass stool. They make noise and start licking the anal area. They lose their appetite and become sluggish. Vomiting and passing a small amount of liquid feces is quite common. If the Constipation is not very severe, an enema will clear the colon. Hard impacted feces may have to be physically removed in a veterinary clinic under anesthesia. Intravenous liquid is also given to prevent dehydration. After the bout of Constipation is cleared, the underlying problem, like obstruction in the colon, has to be tackled. For the cats suffering from megacolon or an untreatable or unknown problem, a management regime has to be adopted. A high-fiber diet increases the bulk and assists in bowel movement. Increase the liquid consumption of the cat by feeding canned cat food rather than dry. Milk and soup can also be tried. We have to try and get the cat to consume liquid by a means that the cat likes. If the megacolon is advanced, no amount of management can make it propel the stool to the exit. The only alternative is surgery. The colon is removed, and most surgeries are successful.