There are many medical conditions that can contribute to a cat not wanting to use their litter box. Oftentimes these conditions contribute to pain, and that pain is then associated with use of the box, so instinct tells your cat that he needs to find another place to go that is not painful. This is how many owners end up finding urine or feces in many areas around the house. The cat soon finds that the dining room carpet, the kitchen counter, or the bathtub all hurt too, they just cannot find a place to go that doesn't feel uncomfortable. Here we will touch on a few of the most common reasons, medically, that a cat may choose to avoid their litter box. Please keep in mind that your particular situation may be unique and you should seek advice from your veterinarian or a feline behavior counselor if your cats is avoiding the litter box or see our column on the many behavioral reasons as to why the box may be avoided.
1.) PAINFUL URINATION: Cats are prone to a variety of urinary disorders many of which can be uncomfortable and contribute to litter box avoidance. Urinary crystals, bladder lining inflammation (cystitis), bladder stones, urinary tract infections and vaginitis are all painful conditions. Additionally, some cats are unable to reach under their tail to clean. This leads to urine and fecal matter remaining on the fur and skin causing odor, burning, itching and sometimes infection of the underlying skin. This is particularly common in both overweight and extremely arthritic cats.
2.) PAINFUL DEFECATION: The most common medical reasons that a cat may defecate outside the box are: constipation, impacted/full anal glands, or intestinal parasites. Typically, a constipated cat has an urgency to defecate but cannot get out a full bowel movement so owners find a trail of hard, dry fecal balls rather than a full pile of fecal material all in one spot. Full anal glands make it difficult for a cat to pass stool through the anus; therefore making the experience uncomfortable, and they end up straining to defecate. Cats get intestinal parasites from exposure to fleas, eating prey, ingesting grass & plant material, and from debris/soil particles we bring inside on our shoes everyday. We recommend deworming cats at least once a year, more often if they go outside. Fecal analyses only check for microscopic eggs passed in feces. They can easily be missed since only a tiny amount of fecal matter is used in a fecal analysis. It is safer and less expensive to simply deworm your cat. We recommend that all cats that are defecating outside the litter box be dewormed to simply rule out the possibility of parasites contributing to a variety of discomforts including: gut cramps, bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
3.) ARTHRITIS: We recommend most cats around 10-12 years of age start joint supplements as a preventative measure to avoid the painful condition of arthritis. When cats are arthritic they can have a difficult time posturing on a sandy surface to urinate or defecate. These cats often seek stable or softer ground to eliminate. It can be challenging for them to climb into the box, posture, or maybe even get to where the box may be located. We suggest that you set these cats up for success by providing a litter box on every floor of your home. To put in perspective; imagine being 90 years old and needing to go down 2 flights of stairs to the litter box in the basement when your favorite sleeping spot is upstairs on the bed. When cats are older, bring their basic needs closer together. Providing different substrates such as empty pans, puppy pads, or softer litters can also help increase compliance in the senior cat.
4.) PAW PAIN: Some cats can be sensitive to the chemicals used to scent litter, carpet fresh, laundry detergents etc. These sensitivities can contribute to ulcerations of the paw pads or simply a painful allergic reaction. Many declawed cats have litter box avoidance issues. Since the declaw is an amputation of the first digit, cats are walking on a bone that was never meant to bear weight. So walking on the gravel texture of litter; especially if they are arthritic, can be an extremely painful experience. Many cats will seek a softer texture such as carpet or bedding to eliminate on because because their little amputated toes are painful. Alternatively, cats with their nails, if left untrimmed for an extended period of time, can get ingrown toe nails. This can also become extremely painful especially if the paw pads become infected. Cats can also get nail bed infections, again commonly from allergic reactions to the additives in scented litter.
5.) OVERALL PAIN: Many other medical conditions can result in a cat choosing not to go to their litter box. Infected teeth, itchy skin, metabolic disorders, and cancer that can all cause discomfort may cause them to find another location to eliminate. Instinct tells your cat that if they eliminate in the same place they usually do, it will send a message to all the other cats in your home that he/she is ill. This leaves your cat in a vulnerable position. To you, your cat is just urinating on the dining room carpet; to your cat he is hiding illness from a potential threat. Alternatively, some cats will eliminate on things that are very saturated with your scent; screaming for help, hoping you will notice and help them.
This is not a condition to be taken lightly. Elimination is communication and we MUST listen to what they are trying to say. If you have already taken your cat to your veterinarian and not found a solution, get a second opinion! Things get missed, and conditions change. There is always an answer, but much like dealing with an infant they cannot speak and it is through the process of elimination and good communication between you, the owner, and your vet/behavior counselor most problems can be solved.
1.) PAINFUL URINATION: Cats are prone to a variety of urinary disorders many of which can be uncomfortable and contribute to litter box avoidance. Urinary crystals, bladder lining inflammation (cystitis), bladder stones, urinary tract infections and vaginitis are all painful conditions. Additionally, some cats are unable to reach under their tail to clean. This leads to urine and fecal matter remaining on the fur and skin causing odor, burning, itching and sometimes infection of the underlying skin. This is particularly common in both overweight and extremely arthritic cats.
2.) PAINFUL DEFECATION: The most common medical reasons that a cat may defecate outside the box are: constipation, impacted/full anal glands, or intestinal parasites. Typically, a constipated cat has an urgency to defecate but cannot get out a full bowel movement so owners find a trail of hard, dry fecal balls rather than a full pile of fecal material all in one spot. Full anal glands make it difficult for a cat to pass stool through the anus; therefore making the experience uncomfortable, and they end up straining to defecate. Cats get intestinal parasites from exposure to fleas, eating prey, ingesting grass & plant material, and from debris/soil particles we bring inside on our shoes everyday. We recommend deworming cats at least once a year, more often if they go outside. Fecal analyses only check for microscopic eggs passed in feces. They can easily be missed since only a tiny amount of fecal matter is used in a fecal analysis. It is safer and less expensive to simply deworm your cat. We recommend that all cats that are defecating outside the litter box be dewormed to simply rule out the possibility of parasites contributing to a variety of discomforts including: gut cramps, bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
3.) ARTHRITIS: We recommend most cats around 10-12 years of age start joint supplements as a preventative measure to avoid the painful condition of arthritis. When cats are arthritic they can have a difficult time posturing on a sandy surface to urinate or defecate. These cats often seek stable or softer ground to eliminate. It can be challenging for them to climb into the box, posture, or maybe even get to where the box may be located. We suggest that you set these cats up for success by providing a litter box on every floor of your home. To put in perspective; imagine being 90 years old and needing to go down 2 flights of stairs to the litter box in the basement when your favorite sleeping spot is upstairs on the bed. When cats are older, bring their basic needs closer together. Providing different substrates such as empty pans, puppy pads, or softer litters can also help increase compliance in the senior cat.
4.) PAW PAIN: Some cats can be sensitive to the chemicals used to scent litter, carpet fresh, laundry detergents etc. These sensitivities can contribute to ulcerations of the paw pads or simply a painful allergic reaction. Many declawed cats have litter box avoidance issues. Since the declaw is an amputation of the first digit, cats are walking on a bone that was never meant to bear weight. So walking on the gravel texture of litter; especially if they are arthritic, can be an extremely painful experience. Many cats will seek a softer texture such as carpet or bedding to eliminate on because because their little amputated toes are painful. Alternatively, cats with their nails, if left untrimmed for an extended period of time, can get ingrown toe nails. This can also become extremely painful especially if the paw pads become infected. Cats can also get nail bed infections, again commonly from allergic reactions to the additives in scented litter.
5.) OVERALL PAIN: Many other medical conditions can result in a cat choosing not to go to their litter box. Infected teeth, itchy skin, metabolic disorders, and cancer that can all cause discomfort may cause them to find another location to eliminate. Instinct tells your cat that if they eliminate in the same place they usually do, it will send a message to all the other cats in your home that he/she is ill. This leaves your cat in a vulnerable position. To you, your cat is just urinating on the dining room carpet; to your cat he is hiding illness from a potential threat. Alternatively, some cats will eliminate on things that are very saturated with your scent; screaming for help, hoping you will notice and help them.
This is not a condition to be taken lightly. Elimination is communication and we MUST listen to what they are trying to say. If you have already taken your cat to your veterinarian and not found a solution, get a second opinion! Things get missed, and conditions change. There is always an answer, but much like dealing with an infant they cannot speak and it is through the process of elimination and good communication between you, the owner, and your vet/behavior counselor most problems can be solved.
No comments:
Post a Comment