One of the wonderful things about housebreaking cats and kittens is that they tend to figure out potty training on their own quickly; most people with feline companions never have to train their kitties to use the litter box. However, very young kittens and previously outdoor cats can get a little confused. Below are some general guidelines for training a kitty to use the litter box. If your cat or kitten is eliminating outside the litter box when they usually use it without problems, please schedule a consultation with one of our Dr. Waxman. The most common cause of sudden change in litter box habits is a medical problem.

Is your mature, housebroken cat suddenly not using the litter box properly? It's time for a trip to the vet. While most people erroneously believe that not using the litter box is strictly a behavioral issue, it's usually caused by a medical problem ranging from a urinary tract infection to diabetes to arthritis. Don't bother punishing your cat or moving it to the litter box when you catch it in action. Instead, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Waxman to rule out any medical problem, and bring a fresh stool sample with you to test for intestinal parasites. If possible, please bring in your kitty earlier in the morning so that they are more likely to have a full bladder and be able to provide us with a urine sample. If you have a behavior concern with your pet, please schedule a consultation with Dr Waxman for an examination and specific treatment recommendations.

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