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Having Litter Box Issues?

Litter Box Issues in Livonia, MI

Litter box issues are a very common reason for vet visits. Our Livonia veterinarian has to look for medical, behavioral, and psychological reasons for litter box usage issues. There are a few things that may contribute to your feline friend “going” outside of their box.

How Many Litter Boxes Do You Need?

Adequacy of boxes is one thing to consider. Do you have enough litter boxes? The general rule is one litter box per cat plus one extra.  If you have 2 cats in your home, you should have 3 litter boxes.  Another factor is location, location, location. Litter boxes in the basement may have worked well for your young kitty but as cats age and arthritis sets in, the stairs can are painful to climb. Cleanliness can make a big difference too.  Cat noses are much more sensitive than ours, so a dirty litter box can be much more noticeable to them than us. It is best to scoop daily. Most cats prefer the soft clumping litters. Sometimes something as simple as a change in litter can cause an issue. Also covered litter boxes can occasionally cause issues.

Medical Help From Our Livonia Veterinarian

Medical issues can sometimes cause your feline friend to seek alternatives to their usual litter box. Bladder infections are one medical reason for inappropriate urination. Another is bladder stones.  Bladder stones are accumulations of minerals that form “rocks” in the bladder.  They can cause urgency to go and blood in the urine. These stones can be painful, and this pain can cause cats to urinate outside of their box. They associate the box with the pain. Our Livonia veterinarian will remove the bladder stones the litter box problems usually go away.

Sterile cystitis is another common reason for litter box issues. Sterile cystitis seems to occur in cats that have high anxiety levels.  This anxiety and stress can cause pain in the bladder and blood, but no infection, in the urine.  These symptoms can come and go. In these cats elimination of the cause of stress helps to resolve the litter box problem.  Sometimes we use medication, food, calming diffusers, or a combination of treatments.

Senior cats, usually 7-10 years old may have more serious health conditions such as, kidney disease or diabetes, that can cause bladder infections. Treating the infection and underlying health issues will usually resolve the litter box problem although they may be prone to recurrences due to their other health issues.

Contact Our Livonia Animal Hospital Today!

If you have any questions or concerns about your favorite felines bathroom habits please call Sheehy Animal Hospital in Livonia at %CLIENT_PHONE%. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

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Office Hours

Monday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Location

Testimonials

  • "I love this veterinary clinic. Dr. Sheehy and staff are all friendly and seem to take pride in their jobs. I enjoy taking my three rats there and would recommend them to everyone I know."
    Cheyenne H / Livonia, MI

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