Dear Porky & Buddy,
I just adopted Gordo, a new cat, and I was told he was litter box trained, but he won’t use mine. It’s getting a little messy in the “cat room.†What can I do? Help!
Lynn
Dear Lynn,
It sounds like you have more than one cat and that is a wonderful thing, but remember that Gordo has a lot of adjusting to do and having to use someone else’s toilet may be just too much for him. Here are some basic rules for getting all your cats to be better about using their litter boxes.
1. Provide one litter box for each cat plus one extra. Yes that’s a lot but it’s better than little “accidents†all over the house.
2. If you have more than one story in your house, put at least one box in each story.
3. Never put a litter box near the food and water bowls. You don’t eat in your bathroom, right?
4. Scoop the pans at least once a day. The more often the better
5. The depth of the litter should be at least 2 to 3 inches so “stuff†can be buried.
6. At least once a month, discard all the litter in the pan, wash it out, allow it to dry and put in fresh.
7. Use unscented litter brands. All the perfume in some litter is just disgusting to cats and they won’t use it.
8. If you don’t know what kind of litter Gordo was using before, experiment with different litters (clay based, crystal based, clumping or not, and then there are wheat, pine, newspaper, corn, and wood based litters) to find one that he likes. Cats can be picky. That’s why we love them.
And as long as you are getting your litter boxes in order, why not think about adopting another cat? June is Adopt a Cat Month and at our “Money Can’t Buy Happiness Adoption Day†our usual adoption fees will be completely waived for all adult cats! Our elegant and interesting grown up cats need homes more than we need the adoption fees. The adoption day will be on Saturday, June 12th from 11 to 2 pm at the Tractor Supply Company, 293 State Route 104, in Oswego. And yes there will be lots of rambunctious kittens too and dogs if we have any available that day. Come join us.
The Oswego County Humane Society provides spay/neuter services and assistance, fostering and adoption of animals in urgent need, humane education programs, and information and referrals to animal lovers throughout Oswego County. Our office is located at 265 West First Street, Oswego, New York. Phone (315) 207-1070. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.oswegohumane.org.
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