Dear Fisher,
My name is Stasch and I am in the picture with roommate Emmy. Emmy gets really mad at me because I cause problems in our household when I don’t use the litter box. I don’t know why. Sometimes I just get busy, I think, and I don’t want to take time out to go to you know where, so I just go where I am. I guess it is training or something, but this has always been my way, and now I find all my housemates are getting pretty disgusted with this habit of mine. Can you help?
Stasch
Dear Stasch,
There are those who insist cats are un-trainable. That is not true at all. Training a cat just takes more time than training a dog, and it is not so much that dogs are smarter, it is just that cats have had it pretty good by acting like training is beyond them. Not such a bad plan overall. But, when bad manners are interfering with the happiness of one’s household, something needs to change.
Oftentimes, when two cats share a litter box, one party objects. It is not vocal, but pretty matter-of-fact when housemates notice wet spots and/or little piles on the floor. It can get even worse if the mess is found on, oh, I don’t know, the bed linens? Time to make some changes and I strongly recommend you take it very seriously.
You could coax your people into adding another litter box to the mix. It will become apparent to your people early on that the problem you have is the result of having to share this very personal duty. If that is the case, the problem is solved.
Are you just inconsiderate? You must undergo an attitude adjustment and learn to comply with the rules set forth by those in charge. There is only one rule here. If you need to eliminate digested products from your body, use the litter box! End of rule.
You and your people have several options here. It can simply be a process of elimination (no pun intended):
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• First off, get a physical. Make sure you do not have a urinary tract problem.
• If you are put off by an unclean litter box, your refusal to use it will get noticed and your housemates will do well to schedule regular cleanings.
• Are you under stress? Kids home for the summer or unfamiliar guests arriving to visit for extended periods of time? Work with your people on stress relief.
• If your potty of choice is a potted plant, it should be removed from easy access.
• If carpet is your preference, confinement to a non-plush area with food, water and a clean litter box is a good training technique.
• Bad habits are hard to break, but praise for doing a good deed instead of scolding and punishment will go a long way to help you get over your unsavory behavior.
• Visit Perfect Paws to find practical training information for cats.
Your life will become much easier as soon as you learn to comply with the house rules. Count on it!
Your friend,
Fisher
