Cats do NOT need to go outside to do their business.
Cats are almost always naturally housebroken and will use a litter box even at an early age. Keep your cat inside your home with you to keep them safe. Cats that are outside often get lost, hurt, and sometimes get killed by cars, poisons, and local wildlife.
Preventing a Litter Box Problem
#1 Clean Box
Cats will often refuse to use the litter box if it isn’t kept clean. For some cats, this means cleaning out the box after each use. For others, once a day is more than enough. If the cat thinks the box is dirty, they may use the area around the box (throw rug, carpet, wood floor, or even in the tub).
#2 Cat Litter
There are several different types of cat litter on the market. The most popular ones are traditional clay litter, scooping/clumping types, plant-based, bio-degradable litters, and others. If your cat will not use the box, try another type of litter. Once you find the purrfect litter, use it and don’t keep switching brands or types.
#3 Types of litter boxes
To discover which type your cat prefers, you may want to experiment by offering both types at first.
Some cats may prefer a covered litter box. Others will not, especially if it’s not clean.
Covered boxes can decrease the amount of litter that flies from the box when your cat buries his business. Although it may be beneficial for you to trap odors inside, your cat may not be happy with it!
Open cat pans should be large enough for your cat. There needs to be plenty of room to turn around, dig, scratch, and cover his deposits without hanging out of the litter pan.
Fancy cat pans, boxes, and motorized wonders! A lot of the newest litter box innovations are for the owner’s convenience, not your cat’s. So be careful when considering spending a lot of money on something that your cat may or may not use.
Help! My Cat’s Not Using the Litterbox