Special Needs Kitties and Litter Boxes

By Darlene L. Norris

Do you share your home with a special needs kitty? These special cats face many challenges, one of which is using the litter box. If your cat is blind or disabled, or just getting older, he can have problems using the litter box. Even small kittens can have problems. How can you make things easier for your special friend?

Sometimes a brand new kitten just isn't big enough to climb into the litter box. This is a temporary problem which will resolve itself as your cat grows. But you want your kitten to establish good litter box habits when he's young. You may need to put a step by the box to make it easier for your little buddy to get in and out. A block of wood or even a small cardboard box may help. If your kitty is an old friend who has been with you for many years, he may start having litter box problems. Always have your older cat checked by a vet to rule out any major problems. Some older cats develop Feline Degenerative Joint Disease, which will cause his joints to become stiff and painful. Any humans who develop arthritis as they age can sympathize!

Your cat may be hurting too much to walk very far. You may need to move his litter box closer to his favorite place, or add more boxes in locations where he can reach them easier. If your special needs kitty is blind, she gets around her home by memory. I remember when our dog went blind when I was a kid. She found her way around really well and rarely ran into anything, unless we forgot and moved something!

It's the same with your blind cat. Try to avoid moving his litter box unless it's absolutely necessary. If you move to a new home, you may need to keep your cat in the room where the litter box is until he learns where it's located. A kitty who is an amputee may run into litter box problems. If your cat is missing his front leg, he can't scratch around in the litter and cover what he's just done. This may make him stop using his box.

An amputee cat may have a hard time getting into and out of his box. In this case, you can buy a large plastic box. Cut a U-shaped hold in one end, about three inches from the bottom. Your special friend will be able to get into and out of the box without having to hop around a lot, while the cat litter stays in the box. Paralyzed cats present special challenges. A paralyzed kitty can't tell when he needs to use the litter box. Keeping your home from smelling like cat urine is a constant chore. Probably the best solution is to keep your friend in one room in your home that is roomy and pleasant, but that has a tile or linoleum floor that is easy to clean.

Your vet may able to show you how to express your cat's bladder. Although this won't solve the whole problem, it will cut down on the number of accidents. You and your vet can work together to limit litter box problems with a paralyzed cat. Take these simple steps to avoid litter box problems with your special needs kitty, and keep your life together happy and pleasant.

Darlene L. Norris invites you to read How Can I Get My Cat To Use The Litterbox? for the solution to your litter box problems. Visit http://yourcatcareguide.com/wordpress now to sign up for The Cool Cat Care Ezine, and receive your free copy of Pamper Your Cat, a collection of 100 recipes for treats and main dishes for your favorite kitty. Your cat will love you for it!