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Litterbox and toileting issues in cats can be a complex and frustrating challenge for pet guardians. Below, we’ve put together some resources to help you manage your cat’s litterbox problems.
The resources below are quite varied; you may find some more applicable to your situation than others. Let's see how we can make things better for you and your furry family members!
The PetRescue article Why your cat isn’t using their litterbox is a great place to start. It gives a great overview of feline toileting behaviour and identifies the most common reasons for litterbox issues in cats, which are:
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A non-cat-friendly litterbox setup and management
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Medical problems
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Stress
Because stress and medical issues often go hand in hand in pet cats, especially those toileting outside the litterbox, we strongly recommend consulting a feline-friendly veterinary clinic if possible. They can provide a thorough health check and discuss your cat’s lifestyle to help identify any underlying issues. You’ll find a list of cat clinics at the bottom of this page.
If you are not sure what the cause of your cat’s litterbox issues may be, you might like to check out the iCatCare advice for Soiling Indoors and the ASPCA article on Litter Box Problems.
Another handy resource that may assist with any concerns or queries is Pet Circle’s free online vet advice. They have a team of Australian veterinarians available to chat from 6am to 10pm, 7 days a week.
If you prefer video content, Jackson Galaxy has a great YouTube video on litterbox hygiene and cat preferences that you can watch - getting it right with litterbox can be tricky and sometimes visual advice makes the most sense! Jackson Galaxy also has many other helpful videos on YouTube about all things cat-related.
Lastly, it’s also not uncommon for the cause of litterbox problems to be something totally unrelated to the litterbox! Read all about the Five Pillars of a Feline-Friendly Environment over on the Cat Friendly Homes website.
Cat-centric Veterinary Clinics
General Practice vet clinics or veterinarians that specialise in cat care can be an excellent and affordable resource for cat owners experiencing challenges with their cat’s wellbeing and behaviour.
Cat health and behaviour are intricately connected, so often veterinarians with a passion for cats are also skilled with assessing and treating behaviour cases. Below are some cat-centric vet services that you may wish to consider
Canberra
The Village Vet Cat Veterinary Centre
New South Wales
Dr Lauren Poulsom, Veterinarian BVSc MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats) at PetStock West Gosford and Petstock Erina
Northern Territory
The Ark Animal Hospital Darwin
Queensland
The Cat Clinic (4 locations across Brisbane and the Gold Coast)
Tropical Queensland Cat Clinic
South Australia
Tasmania
Animal Medical Centre - Cat Clinic
Victoria
Cat Protection Society Victoria Vet Clinic
Catlovers Veterinary Clinic Frankston
Western Australia
The Pet Practice Cat Friendly Clinic
Image: Raffy, Home2Home
