Cat not using the litter box.

Question
Hi. I have a 2 year old cat that will not use her litter box. We have changed her diet and also changed her litter. But nothing seems to be working. She won't urinate or have a bowel movement in the box. She also meows alot at night (she's been fixed), but she sounds like a cat in heat. We are at our wits end. Her litter box is in the basement (we have three kids who NEVER go down there). I'm at my wits end in trying to figure out what's wrong with her. The vet says nothing is wrong with her...but there must be.  

Answer
Sarah -

There are several reasons why a cat will not use its litter box.   A change in diet and a change in the litter can surely make a cat apprehensive about its new bathroom.  

Make sure you are cleaning out the litter box on a regular basis.  Some cats are very picky about their litter box and will not use a litter box that they perceive to be dirty.  

Some cats prefer clumping litter and some cats prefer litter that does not clump.  Cats also prefer having more than one place to use the bathroom - cat experts recommend having one extra litter box per the number of cats you have.  That is, if you have one cat then should have two litter boxes.   If you have two cats, then you should have three litter boxes, etc.

Most litter boxes are plastic and will retain odors.  If you have used the same litter box for some time, it would be prudent to throw it away and purchase a new litter box.  Remember, the cats sense of smell is much more advanced than humans; even if the litter box smells clean to  you, the odors  retained in an old litter box may be detectable to a cat.  

Most importantly, a cat may not use its litter box if it experiences pain when urinating.  Cats have very sensitive urinary systems and tend to develop urinary problems that can make them very uncomfortable.

Cats can also develop a syndrome known as interstitial cystitis where the bladder is inflamed.  Humans, especially females, experience this condition, too. We are not sure what causes some cats to develpp this constion, but we do know tha it can cause a great deal of discomfort  Even though the cat does not have a bladder infection, the cat feels the urge to urinate and may become very uncomfortable. There is  medication that can help to ease the discomfort if interstitial cystitis.

Ask your veterinarian to fully evaluate your cat.  Radiographs may be necessary to help evaluate the bladder.  A urinalysius mis absolutely necessary to determine if the cat has a bladder infection.

If your cat is found to be physically healthy,  it may be experiencing bouts of anxiety.  Your vet has access to meds that can help ease the anxiety that cats tend to experience.

If you have access to a veterinarian that specializes in cats, you should consider a consultation.

Best Regards,

Charlotte Sherrell, DVM