Released on October 28, 2021, 2:20 PM EST

Cats are fickle animals. Anyone who has ever raised a cat can tell you that they are very particular about every aspect of daily life. Where they sleep, what they eat, and where they choose to go to the bathroom can all change at any given moment based on the cat's whimsy. Nonetheless, some pet parents may find themselves confused about why their cats do not use litter boxes.

Read on for some common reasons why this might happen, and what you can do to help.

It is generally believed that for pet cats, paw removal is an unnecessary cruel operation, and some negative behavior problems are related to this brutal process. According to Best Friends, cats that lose their front paws may hate litter boxes. In most cases, this disgust is caused by lingering pain or sensitivity during surgery, and may cause the cat to start doing business elsewhere.

If you notice that cats show an overly sensitive reaction when entering the litter box, Best Friends recommends that you look for alternative brands or types of cat litter to replace the common silicon-based cat litter. Aspen or pine shavings, such as shavings or shredded paper commonly used in rodent pets such as guinea pigs, may work. These are also more environmentally friendly options than traditional cat litter.

Cats are very sensitive to changes in daily life, so changes in the environment can completely change their behavior. According to Hill, newborns, new pets, remodeling or moving house will put extra stress on your poor kitten, which may cause them to urinate or defecate in unusual places. Even the sudden appearance of outdoor cats can make cats uneasy.

Please note that the stress caused by age and physical illness can also cause cats to do things outside the litter box. This is especially true for older cats, whose mobility and cognitive decline may cause them to get lost in the box or just not get there in time.

According to ASPCA, for cats, easy access is everything. We don’t want to say that cats are lazy, but placing the litter box in a hard-to-reach or hard-to-find location is a good way to prevent your cat from looking for it when the gastrointestinal tract is under stress. The same is true for bins that are too small, uncovered, too covered, too deep, or too shallow. A litter box that is not cleaned properly or frequently is also unattractive to picky kittens.

If your cat suddenly stops using boxes that they have used for months or even years, the cause may be medical in nature. According to the American Association of Animal Hospitals (AAHA), cats with bladder stones, constipation, cystitis, or urinary tract infections may not be able to use the litter box for a long time.

However, more serious diseases such as cancer, diabetes, hyperthyroidism or kidney disease may also be at work. If you notice any abnormal behavior or signs of pain in your cat, please contact your veterinarian. As medical professionals, they are best qualified to advise you in this area.

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