If you can’t find a box that is large enough, use a plastic bin instead. Make sure that you cut a hole in the side so that the cat can go in and out. Be sure to leave the lid off. [6] X Research source
Keep an eye on your cat whenever you add more litter to the soil. If your cat refuses to use the litter box, he or she might not be ready for the change. Add in a little bit more soil. If you don’t know what sort of litter to use, consider buying a few different types and placing each one in a separate box. Choose the one that the cat uses. [8] X Research source Consider using a natural litter, such as wood bark pellet, ground corn, or walnut shell pellet. These may appeal more to an outdoor cat. You can also sprinkle a little bit of cat attract litter on top of your regular litter. This might get your cat to use the litter box. [9] X Expert Source Rita ReimersCat Behaviorist Expert Interview. 22 June 2021.
Another rule of thumb is having 1 litter box per cat plus 1 extra. [10] X Expert Source Rita ReimersCat Behaviorist Expert Interview. 22 June 2021.
Never place the litter box in the same room as the cat’s food and water. Cats are clean animals and may refuse to eat if their food is too close to their bathroom area. Avoid placing the litter box near “scary” areas. If a cat has to pass a dog’s kennel or a noisy washing machine in order to get to the litter box, he or she may find some other place to go. Consider placing the box near the door. That way, if your cat tries to go outside to go to the bathroom, he or she will see the litter box and may try to use it instead. [11] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source If your cat has trouble getting to the litter box, he won’t want to use it. [12] X Expert Source Rita ReimersCat Behaviorist Expert Interview. 22 June 2021.
You can also place catnip along the opposite of the litter box rim. This way, your cat has to step into the box to smell it. [15] X Expert Source Rita ReimersCat Behaviorist Expert Interview. 22 June 2021.
Do not use an ammonia-based product to clean cat urine. Ammonia smells similar to urine to a cat’s nose. If you use that to clean, your cat may return to the same spot the next time it needs to go.
Make sure that you are cleaning up the places where the cat eliminates. Any trace smell of feces or urine will tell the cat that this is a bathroom spot, and the cat is more likely to return to it.
If your cat keeps avoiding the box, study its urine and feces. A red or pink tint to the urine usually signifies an infection. If the poop is tarry or has black or red streaks in it, your cat could be very sick. You should take your cat to the vet immediately.
