Coming home to an unwelcome “surprise” on the floor is an unavoidable occurrence for any cat owner. Cats, unfortunately, do not always connect with the litter box.
Even if your cat is well-behaved, she may occasionally pick a different location at home, especially if she becomes afraid or becomes trapped in a room.
So, is a cat not using a litter box after giving birth normal?
No, it is not normal for a cat to not use a litter box after giving birth, a vet must be visited if this happens.
Keep reading this article to know more how why your cat is not using a litter box after giving birth.
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Why Is My Cat Not Using The Litter Box After Giving Birth?
Here are some reasons why your cat is not using the litter box after giving birth: –
1. Health Issues
The first step is to take your cat to the veterinarian for a full physical examination.
Several medical illnesses can cause a cat to stop using the litter box, so rule these out before looking into other possibilities.
The good news is that most medical issues that cause litter box lapses can be simply and cheaply treated.
Some indicators that your cat may require an urgent vet visit include straining to urinate, excessive licking of the genital area, and blood in the urine.
Here’s the next thing to consider: Are all your cats spayed or neutered? Kitties who aren’t neutered may be more likely to urinate inappropriately.
2. Declawed Cats And Litter
Litter box and other behavioral difficulties are not uncommon in cats whose front claws have been removed.
Cats who have had their front claws removed may develop an aversion to the litter box because their paws are still sensitive or painful from the procedure, so they avoid scratching in their litter and may begin eliminating elsewhere instead.
Look for aspen or pine wood shavings (which are typically used for guinea pigs or mice) or soft paper litter.
3. Number Of Litter Boxes
Each cat in the house should have one litter box, plus one extra (more if you have many cats).
Because some cats prefer to urinate in one box and defecate in another, having more than one box per cat can assist.
4. Litter Preferences
It’s possible that the problem stems from a recent change of litter brand or type. Many cats have distinct litter preferences.
Cats have sensitive noses and dislike chemical or perfume odors.
According to studies, unscented clumping litter with the consistency of fine sand is the most enticing form of litter to most cats.
It’s best to buy several sorts and place them side by side so your cat can choose; try clay litters, shredded paper, sawdust, wood pellets, and even sand or mud.
If you need to switch to a different type of litter, do so gradually by adding a little more of the new product each time you change the litter until your kitty is used to it.
5. Litter Box Preferences
Most commercial litter boxes are too small to properly accommodate adult cats, so experiment with a large plastic storage box (such as one made to fit under a bed) to see if a little additional space makes a difference.
Furthermore, some cats, particularly older or overweight cats, have trouble entering litter boxes with high walls.
Covered litter boxes may feel too restrictive to a stressed cat, so remove the covers unless your kitten is extremely shy.
Also, while plastic liners are convenient for people, some cats dislike them.
6. Location Of Litter Box
Since cats are creatures of habit, do not relocate the litter box abruptly.
If you must relocate a box from its current place, do so gradually (in extreme circumstances, only a few inches per day) to give your cat time to acclimate.
Place the boxes in quiet areas with some seclusion, away from your cat’s food and water stations.
Avoid high-traffic areas and noisy locations, such as laundry facilities.
You may need to use baby gates or pet doors to keep humans (especially small ones) and other animals out of the litter box area.
Avoid putting litter boxes in closet corners or in tight spaces, such as between the toilet and bathtub.
Your cat may believe there is no way out of such a precarious situation. Place the boxes in a variety of locations.
The cat will use the litter box in the location where he or she feels most secure.
7. Cleanliness
Since cats are extremely picky, you should keep the litter boxes as clean as possible to encourage their use.
Some cats will only use a box once before it needs to be cleaned, so it’s critical to scoop on a frequent basis, especially if you live with numerous cats.
Scrub the boxes with mild, low-fragrance soap at least once a week, and more frequently if they are particularly popular.
Instead of using bleach or ammonia-based treatments, soak your boxes in diluted vinegar water to remove odors when necessary.
Also, check out Why is your Cat Sitting In Litter Box Doing Nothing?
What Do You Do If Your Cat Stops Using The Litter Box After Giving Birth?
Here are some things you can do if your cat stops using the litter box after giving birth: –
- As soon as the boxes arrive, place the cat inside and let them sniff and inspect them. To minimize confusion, don’t move the boxes once you’ve shown them to your cat.
- Place your cat in one of the boxes immediately after eating and after waking up from naps. Pick them up and place them in the litter box if you notice them acting like they need to go, such as sniffing or crouching in a certain location.
- When you notice them using it, reward them. Praise them and reward them with a treat or a toy.
- Don’t penalize or scold for mishaps. This will just increase stress and worry, exacerbating the condition and making training more difficult. Cats do not identify punishment with the incident at hand, so it does not assist train them not to do it again.
Also, check out Why Is My Nursing Cat Not Peeing Or Pooping After Birth?
Frequently Asked Questions
How to litter train older cats?
Typically, older cats will be seasoned litter box users by the time they come to live with you, but if the cat in issue was previously an outdoor cat, you may face a litter box training difficulty. Even yet, cats have all the instincts they need to quickly learn what a litter box is for. The most difficult thing may be getting them used to the litter. In such instances, experts recommend starting by filling the box with outdoor soil. As your cat becomes accustomed to using the litter box, gradually replace more and more of the soil with cat litter to allow them to grow acquainted with the new surface.
How to diagnose cat’s litter problems?
If your cat continues to eliminate outside of her litter box, take her to the doctor to determine the cause and treatment options. Your veterinarian should perform a thorough physical examination, full blood count, blood chemistry panel, and urinalysis on your cat. Litter box training may be required to return her to regular behaviors after she has been treated for medical issues. Make sure to compliment her every time she uses her litter box correctly.
What are the signs that your cat may have a problem beyond the Litter Box?
Here are the following signs: – 1. A pattern of urinating and/or defecating outside the litter box 2. Urine spraying, including evidence of vertical urine marks around doorways, walls, windows, or objects in the house 3. Spending too much time in the litter box 4. Vocalizing while in the litter box 5. Lethargy 6. Increased water intake 7. Poor appetite 8. Weight loss 9. Poor hair coat 10. Visiting the litter box more often than usual.
Final Words
If your cat is not using the litter box after giving birth, then it is a cause for concern and you must take her to the vet to get her treatment started.
If you have any questions, ask us in the comments section
Also, check out When To Change Bedding After Cat Gives Birth
