Ragdoll Cats

Your Ragdoll kitten learned how to use the litter box from his or her mother. Most cats pick up litter box behaviors quickly and easily. Occasionally, problems with the litter box arise and need to be corrected.

There are a number of reasons your cat may have problems with the litter box. Your first stop on the way to correcting these problems should be with your veterinarian. Make sure your cat is not suffering from a medical condition; urinary tract infections, worms, intestinal problems, and cystitis could all contribute to problems with the litter box. If the veterinarian has ruled out a medical condition you will need to focus on the behavioral problem. Your cat knows that you are frustrated and upset; cats read your emotions very easily and you don’t want this to prevent you from getting to the root of the problem. Never punish a cat for not going in the litter box. That means no hitting, spanking, yelling, being angry, throwing things, or stamping your feet. You’ll only scare your cat.

Make sure your litter box is kept clean. You don’t like using a filthy toilet and neither does your cat. You need to scoop the box at least twice daily. Also, don’t change the environment of the litter box. Changes can confuse your cat. Use the same type of cat litter, the same kind of box, and the same litter box arrangement. If you have recently changed any of these, switching back may solve your problem. According to a University Study, most cats favor unscented varieties of cat litter. Your cat can distinguish smells a thousand times better than you can; cat litter that smells perfumed to you may overwhelm your cats senses. Many cat litters on the market today are perfumed to reduce litter box odor. Purchasing cat litter branded as “natural” or “clay litter” offer you an unscented variety. Keeping the litter box and surrounding area clean on a daily basis will go along way to alleviating your problem. Use an enzyme type cleaning solution to remove stains; this enzyme cleaner will eliminate odors and is available from your local pet supply store. When your cat has an accident clean the area thoroughly with this enzyme cleaner so your cat will not smell the odor and return to that area the next time nature calls.