If whiskers is suddenly refusing to use his litter box, reassess your cleaning methods. Although clumping litter is easy to scoop and minimizes odor, the clumps can dry and stick to the box if you don' t use enough litter. When this happens, some elbow grease can eliminate the clumps.
Step 1
Pour the contents of litter box in a trash bag and discard it. Alternatively, scoop feces and clumps out of the litter with a slotted scoop, and save the remaining litter in a trash bag so you can reuse it.
Step 2
Remove and discard any dried cement-like litter from the bottom and sides of the box with a paint scraper. Run the scraper under the clumps to loosen them.
Step 3
Scrub the box with a hard-bristle brush, using hot water and dish-washing detergent. Avoid using strong-scented products or ammonia to wash the litter box, because the smell might trigger your cat to go potty elsewhere.
Step 4
Disinfect the litter box with a mixture of 1 part bleach to 10 parts hot water. Rinse the box thoroughly, and let it dry in the sun or use paper towels to dry it.
Step 5
Fill the box with a 3.5- to 4-inch layer of clumping litter. Use the saved clumping litter from the trash bag and add fresh clumping litter to this. Alternatively, use only fresh clumping litter. Avoid using less litter, because your pet companion's urine will quickly reach the bottom of the litter box and stick to it, making it hard to remove.
Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.
References
Tips
- Scoop feces and clumped balls of urine daily, and refresh the litter and clean the box completely at least once every two weeks.
Writer Bio
Kimberly Caines is a well traveled model, writer and licensed physical fitness trainer who was first published in 1997. Her work has appeared in the Dutch newspaper "De Overschiese Krant" and on various websites. Caines holds a degree in journalism from Mercurius College in Holland and is writing her first novel.