5 Things To Know When Cleaning Your Dog’s Ears
Have you ever thought about cleaning your dog's ears but aren't quite sure how to go about it? What do you use? When should you go to the vet for an ear problem?
We are here to provide you with some helpful advice on cleaning your dog's ears and how to know when you really have a problem!
With that said, let's dive into 5 Things To Know When Cleaning Your Dog's Ears!
1. Use The Right Cleaner
One of the most common questions we get at our hospital is what can clients use to clean their dog's ears. This is really simple: all we recommend for most dogs is using a gentle commercial ear cleaner that can be purchased over-the-counter.
Don't use water. Don't use alcohol. Yes, there is a mixture of vinegar and water you could use, but we don't recommend it because it requires careful measuring and it's just more difficult than using a commercial cleaner.
What sets a good commercial ear cleaner apart from home remedies?
- Self-drying - usually there's some type of drying agent within the cleaner that will no moisture behind. Water left inside the ear will likely result in an ear infection.
- Non-irritating - If anything, there will be something within the cleaner that will soothe the ear canal such as salicylic acid
- Good Track Record - I always recommend products that either I've personally used or ones that have very high ratings on Amazon with hundreds or thousands of reviews.
There are a couple great ear cleaners you can get on Amazon. The Epi-Otic product is something we've used for years in our own hospital. For some reason, it apparently isn't capable of being shipped everywhere.
Another great product is from the folks at Pet MD and contains medications in it that can help to control chronic infections in dogs. Ketoconazole within the ear cleaner is a great controlling agent for many dogs that fight chronic issues.
2. Use The Correct Technique
You can search on YouTube or Google and find 100 different ways to clean a dog’s ears. The reality is very simple. Using a bottle of commercial ear cleaner, stick the open end of the bottle into the ear canal and squeeze gently. You want enough fluid into the ear canal that you can hear that distinctive squishing sound when you rub the base of the ear.
After you rubbed the base of the ear, then stand back and let them shake their head and try and dislodge as much of the fluid as possible. This is probably too late to mention maybe you want to clean those ears outside or in an area that is easily cleaned like a bathroom.
Once they’ve gotten a good shake of the head and plastered your walls, take a soft piece of tissue or gauze, cover your index finger (really any finger is okay) and wipe out the discharge you can see.
3. Don't Go Farther Into The Ear Than You Can See
While it's not easy to push a piece of tissue or cotton ball so far into the ear canal that you can no longer see it, it is possible. It's also possible that, while cleaning the ear, your dog will suddenly jerk their head or move in a way that could cause damage to their ear drum if you're too far down the ear canal.
If the ears are that bad that you feel you need to clean that far down, then you likely need to see the vet anyway. We will talk more about this further down in the article.
4. You Don't Need To Always Pluck Ear Hair
Many dog breeds (such as Poodles) naturally have big tufts of hair growing out from inside their ear canals. While it can be tempting to think you need to clean this hair out in order to keep the hair clean, the opposite is commonly true.
Dogs with lots of hair in the ear canal usually find protection in that hair. The only reason to remove the hair in the canal is if there is an ear infection and the hair is impeding your ability to instill medicine and clean the ear.
5. When You Need To See The Vet For An Ear Problem
There are a few basic issues that should prompt you to call the vet for an appointment concerning the ears:
- Pain - is your dog constantly shaking its head? Crying when he/she scratches the ears? Have you tried to look into the ear but they resist you mightily when normally they don't care? Go to the vet.
- Swelling - if the flap of the ear is swollen you should see the vet. While this is usually a condition called an ear hematoma, it requires treatment of one kind or another. This depends on the true origin of the problem so your vet will know what to do.
- Copious Discharge - Copious means that it seems like you'll never get all of the debris out of the ear. It can also mean that, while you cleaned the ear just yesterday, there's so much discharge in the ear again that you need to clean today. This usually signifies an infection.
Know When Your Dog Needs An Ear Cleaning
If your dog has chronic ear infections, I recommend weekly and sometimes bi-weekly ear cleanings to stay on top of what’s being produced in those ears.
For the regular dog that rarely has issues with the ears, you should make sure that those ears are cleaned with a commercial ear cleaner after they are bathed or after they’ve been outside in the rain or snow.
Make checking your dog’s ears a regular part of your daily routine. Everyone rubs on their dogs heads and it’s becoming more and more common to see people applying toothpaste to their dog’s mouth daily. Why not add in an ear check that literally takes three seconds?
Just flip the ear flap up so you can see if there’s any discharge or redness. Does the ear seem painful? Does it smell?
Should I Clean The Ear If I Know I’m Going To The Vet
If you’re going into the vet that day, don’t clean the ear. We like to see just how bad the ears truly are in order to give us a sense of how aggressively we need to treat the ears.
It can also affect test results. Many times we like to get a sample of that discharge to examine under a microscope. We can see bacteria and/or yeast organisms that way and if you clean the ear right before the visit it can present an altered picture of what is really happening.
My Dog Always Seems To Have Ear Infections
When a patient of mine comes in with an infection seemingly every few months or at least I see them 3-4 times a year with an ear infection (especially if it’s in the same ear), I think one of two things:
- We never finished eliminating the prior ear infection. Just because the ear smells and look clean doesn’t mean an infection isn’t there. A vet will have to utilize their fancy otoscope (that device that they use to look down into the ear canal) to look deep into the ear canal down to the eardrum to certify an eye truly clean.
- A cytology can be very beneficial to identifying what type of infection is present and to guide the vet in their treatment decisions. You can’t just treat based on the way the discharge appears.
- If you've been treating an infection and it’s not going away, it could be because your dog is being treated mostly for a yeast infection when it’s actually bacterial.
- There’s An Underlying Cause That Hasn’t Been Addressed. See our article on Why Does My Dog Have an Ear Infection (coming soon) for a more in-depth look at what causes ear infections.
In Conclusion
We hope you got some great insights about your dog's ears in this video. We highly recommend following up with your vet if you dog has any ear problems.
4 Ways To Keep Your Dog's Feet Healthy When It Snows
Many dogs love to play in the snow and here in Colorado they get plenty of opportunities to do that! However, the snow also presents certain challenges to dog owners to keep those dog feet safe and clean.
There are ways to both protect and treat dog paws that are easy and safe. We are going to discuss some basic management tips as well as mention a few products that we think can be very helpful when it snows.
Keep The Feet Trimmed
Some dog breeds have quite a lot of hair that grows out from under the paw and between the toes. This hair likes to gather clumps of ice and snow and track that all through your house.
If the feet stay too consistently wet from the snow then they are also prone to irritation and potentially skin infections in that area.
We recommend not just trimming the hair under the feet and between the toes but also drying off the feet with a dry towel when the dogs came back in after a walk or a play session outside.
Boots For The Paws
If you like to take your dog for long walks or hikes in the snow, then you may need to protect those feet a bit more. The snow can not only be rather cold to those pads, but it tends to hide sharper objects that normally a dog would avoid stepping on.
We really like the Qumy Dog Boots that you can purchase directly from Amazon. They are easy to put on the feet and have velcro closures so that they are adjustable for any dog. While the boots are waterproof, you should still dry off the feet once you get back after a long walk in these boots.
The Qumy dog boots are also an excellent choice for any dog who has to wear a bandage on their foot for a while because they are waterproof and rugged.
For more everyday usage, these lightweight Bark Brite boots may be a better choice. They are a bit longer meaning they will cover more of the leg.
Musher's Secret
If you have a dog that loves the outdoors, and you've never heard of Musher's Secret, then continue reading. Used for years to protect working dog paws (think sled dog teams and hunting dogs), it also is a fantastic supplement to help heal dog paws in general.
It's a thick wax-based cream that also contains substance such as Vitamin E and it's usually recommended to apply prior to going outside for any activity. It can also be used on a daily basis for dogs that are dealing with dry, cracked paws as well.
Dry Them Off
Once you're home, you need to dry off those cold dog tootsies right away. That will help them not only avoid any moisture-related issues later but also warm them up quickly.
If drying the feet is difficult because your dog is either far too excited or you physically can't reach down and do it, consider this super-absorbent doorway mat instead.
A microfiber shaggy mat will help remove a lot of that mud, ice, and water that your dog has packed its paws with while outside. They also come in a variety of sizes to fit your needs.
Final Word
There are specific health concerns that every dog owner should have when there's snow on the ground. Whether you use dog boots or just a microfiber mat at home, be mindful of your dog's paws whenever they go outside in the winter.
Why Is Chocolate So Bad For Dogs?
It's soon to be the holiday season where lots of gooey, tasty chocolate desserts will be plentiful and abundant. Your dog knows that. He/she has been looking forward to this time of year as well because they love the same sweet treats that you do and will do anything to get their mouths on some.
Most of you should already know that eating chocolate is very bad for dogs. It can cause problems like vomiting and diarrhea and it can even kill them. But why is that? What makes chocolate so dangerous for dogs?
Chocolate contains two certain substances, caffeine and theobromine, that dogs simply can not handle. They cause all kinds of bad symptoms such as:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Increased heart rate
- Increased body temperature
- Rapid breathing
- Low blood pressure
- Seizures
- Coma
- Heart Failure
If you're having an emergency or a situation right now, click through on the link just below this sentence to find out how serious it is!
Chocolate Toxicity Meter
What Is The Toxic Dosage Of Chocolate?
The toxic dosage varies with the dog. Some dogs are capable of getting very sick on less than the posted toxic level.
In general, however, toxic doses of chocolate can start as low as 20 mg/kg of dog. Let's make it easy on us and do some math:
Toxic dosage = 20 mg/kg x 1 kg/2.2 lbs = 9 mg of theobromine per lb of dog.
A toxic dosage simply means that certain symptoms are more likely such as increased heart rate, hyperactivity, diarrhea.
| Amount of Theobromine Ingested (per lb of dog) |
GI Signs (Diarrhea, Vomiting) |
Cardiac Signs (Elevated heart rate, blood pressure) |
Neurological Signs (tremors, seizures) |
| 9 mg/lb | Possible | Unlikely | Unlikely |
| 18 mg/lb | Likely | Possible | Unlikely |
| 27 mg/lb | Certain | Certain | Likely |
When that dosage goes higher, such as 40 mg/kg or 18 mg theobromine per lb of dog, the signs becomes much more severe. The heart rate is racing, the blood pressure is elevated...these are all reasons to rush straight to the ER.
At even higher levels of ingestion such as 60 mg/kg or 27 mg of theobromine per lb of dog, neurological symptoms appear. Tremors, twitching, and even seizures are all possible.
Fatal doses occur when the dogs are ingesting 200 mg/kg or 90 mg of theobromine per lb of dog.
Not sure but need someone to call 24/7 who is an expert and quick at these kind of calculations?? Call the Pet Poison Hotline!!
Which Chocolate Is The Worst??
The darker the chocolate, the more theobromine is contains and the more dangerous it is to ingest. Therefore, baker's chocolate and dark chocolate is much more likely to cause toxicity than milk chocolate. White chocolate contains no theobromine and is therefore unlikely to cause serious issues.
Let's list the types of chocolate in order of how dangerous they are to dogs:
- Cocoa Powder
- Unsweetened baker's chocolate
- Semisweet Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate
Chocolate Content Of Common Products
Let's look at how toxic some chocolate products are as compared to others to give you a better idea of what to watch out for.
| Product | Serving Size | Theobromine Content |
| Cocoa, Dry Powder, Unsweetened |
1 cup | 1,760 mg |
| Baking Chocolate Unsweetened, squares |
1 cup | 1,729 mg |
| Dark Chocolate Candies | 1 bar (110 grams) | 810 mg |
| Chocolate Pudding Mix | 1 package | 189 mg |
| Ice Cream - Rich Chocolate | 1 cup | 178 mg |
| Peanut M&Ms | 1 cup | 84 mg |
| Ready to Eat Chocolate Pudding |
4 oz | 75.6 mg |
| Hershey's Milk Chocolate Kisses |
9 pieces | 61 mg |
How Much Chocolate Is Too Much??
Thanks to the Chelmsford Dog Association for the very succinct and easy to understand table above.
There's also a nifty calculator from PetMd that you can also use, especially if you want a bit more detail and user-friendliness:
Home Remedies For Chocolate Ingestion
Everyone has heard about using hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting in your dog. Some may want to jump right to this treatment and skip the call to the vet first.
Don't! Call your vet first, make them aware of what is going on, and follow their instructions.
When To Call Your Vet Or Go To The ER
If you come home to chocolate wrappers strewn around the house and your dog exhibiting any of the signs above, seek a veterinarian's help immediately. Time is of the essence when treating chocolate toxicity.
We are located at 10225 S. Parker Rd in Parker, Colorado (303)-841-2120
When Is It Too Cold For Your Dog To Be Outside?
Over the past few days, our little area here in Colorado has seen quite the vicious winter blast despite it being just late October. Winter is surely coming hard and, for many pet owners, that brings special considerations.
When is it too cold to take my dog for a walk? How long can they stay outside in the backyard before it's too much?
The answer is not always straightforward. It depends on your dog's size, age, breed, tolerance to cold, and whether or not it is snowing.
For an easy guide, check out this great graph from Dogtopia. The information was collected from a study done by the veterinary school at Tufts.
What Makes Your Dog More Susceptible To Cold Weather?
Size
Smaller dogs tend to feel cold more than bigger dogs. The less body mass, the more easy it is for cold outdoor temps to sink in and cause a problem. Also the leaner your dog is, the more likely that they will feel the cold quicker and more intensely.
Age
Young puppies and old dogs are both very sensitive to the cold and can develop cold-related issues very quickly.
Breed
We've all heard of how northern breeds like Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes can tolerate (and love) extremely low temperatures. In fact, your northern breed dog may refuse to come inside when it's truly this cold.
However, dogs with little to no hair are going to likely hate the cold and want to come right back inside almost as soon as they go out!
There's also plenty of dogs that are right in the middle of the pack that have thick, double-layered coats (like Terrier breeds) that may do quite well in the cold.
Tolerance To Cold
This continues from the last paragraph about how some animals just love the cold. They may have a thick coat or a thin one, but they love the cold and would rather be outside in it no matter what.
Then there's my Border Terrier who, despite having a super thick double coat, hates being outside.
Is It Snowing?
When it's snowing, you add the element of getting wet into the situation. Just like with people, your chances of hypothermia go up dramatically if you're wet.
This is a bigger warning for the short-coated breeds. Northern breeds have that natural double-thick coat that's meant for this type of weather. While the snow may wet the exterior coat, that undercoat stays warm and dry.
What Are The Signs Of Hypothermia?
The following are the types of symptoms you can see when hypothermia is beginning to be an issue:
- Shivering that increases in intensity as time goes on
- Lethargy or weakness
- Slow heart rate
- Shallow breathing
If you have the ability to check the rectal temperature on your dog, typically you should see a range of 100.5 - 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
If your dog is showing any of the above signs and the temperature is below 99 degrees, then call your veterinarian.
When To Go To The ER With A Possibly Hypothermic Dog
Your regular family veterinarian can certainly help you out when there's hypothermia, but if it's late at night or the weekend you might need to visit the ER. There are certain situations where a visit to the emergency room is necessary to save your dog's life when it comes to hypothermia.
- If your dog has fallen into a pond or lake and is soaked with freezing water and is showing the signs listed above, go to the ER immediately
- Your dog isn't wet, but isn't responding well to you, go to the ER
- If you're checking the temperature of your dog that's been outside too long and dropping down to 98 and below, go to the ER
- If you're warming up your dog at home and they're not becoming more alert and active after you've been performing the suggestions below for 20 minutes, go to the ER
- If you're worried and think your dog could be hypothermic and possibly frostbitten, go to the ER
How To Warm A Cold Dog
If your dog is just pretty cold and needs to warm up, there are things you can do to help out.
- Dry the coat, if wet, with some dry towels. Doing this once inside will also help the blood circulate throughout your dog's body and revive your dog.
- Wrap the dog in thick blankets or towels, making sure to get under the dog as well. Pop those blankets or towels in the dryer for a few minutes before using in order to get an even toastier experience.
- Hot water bottles are okay to use as long as there's some barrier between the bottle and the dog. Wrap one in a smaller towel and place it on the abdomen where the heat will certainly absorb faster than almost any other location. Check the skin in that area every 10 minutes or so to make sure it doesn't feel too hot.
- If you don't have a lot of towels, bring your dog into the bathroom and turn on the hot water in the shower. Shut the door and keep the fan off. Don't put your dog in the water, but just let it lay on the floor wrapped up as much as you can. The room will become heated quickly and the warm, moist air will help to warm your dogs
How To Protect Your Dog When Outside In The Cold
- Basic rule: If it's too cold for you, it's too cold for your dog. Use common sense.
- Suit up! Your dog may need booties to protect its feet from the ice and cold. Other dogs will benefit from wearing a jacket or coat to keep it warm.
We are located at 10225 S. Parker Rd in Parker, Colorado.
Give us a call at 303-841-2120 to set up an appointment!
What Is Old Dog Vestibular Disease?
I got a call the other morning from a very worried client who needed me to see her dog, Toby, right away. Toby was acting very strange with his head tilted to one side and struggling to walk in a straight line. When he got to my practice, this is what he looked like:
I believe Toby has idiopathic vestibular disease, also called old dog vestibular disease. Let's discuss what that is and what Toby can expect to feel over the coming days.
What Is Vestibular Disease?
Vestibular disease is another name for vertigo, which is the more common term used in human medicine. It happens when a nerve that controls balance gets affected by infection, inflammation, stroke, trauma, or something else that we may never know (that's why it's also called "idiopathic").
That nerve affects the ability of the dog to sense where their balance lies. When it's not working right it throws the dog off balance. They may feel like they are spinning which is why you sometimes see the corresponding clinical signs of nystagmus (when the eyes dance back and forth) and circling in one direction almost constantly.
What Are The Symptoms Of Vestibular Disease?
The most common symptoms that we see include:
- Head tilt
- Inability to stand up or walk
- Circling to one side frequently if they can get up
- Eyes dancing back and forth (we use the fancy term "nystagmus")
- Not eating
Not every dog will have all of these symptoms, and not every dog that has all of these symptoms will have old dog vestibular disease. That's the frustrating part about medicine. The dogs don't always read the books and know what they should be doing when they have certain problems.
There aren't really any diagnostic tests that can be done to confirm the disease. It's usually a case of "ruling out" other issues. That means that there's no additional signs of any other issues (for instance, if one ear has a really bad ear infection that could have been the instigator for the vestibular symptoms).
Why Do They Call It "Old Dog" Vestibular Disease?
In the vast majority of cases we see at our clinic, it's usually an older dog that's affected. Truthfully any dog can have vestibular signs but the type of symptoms we're describing in this article is attributable typically to senior dogs.
But why is it that older dogs seem to get it? No one really knows.
I once had a veterinary neurologist comment to me that she tends to see most of these cases in the fall when the weather starts to turn cold. Why that happens she couldn't really guess other to say that perhaps it's just a reaction an old dog body has to an incoming winter.
Can It Be Treated?
Old dog vestibular disease itself doesn't need too much treatment beyond time. I've sometimes prescribed certain medications when my patients needed some additional help for some reason.
That's why an exam is also a good thing to do when you see the symptoms listed above. If the vertigo sensation is bad enough, some dogs won't eat for days and could get dehydrated. There are things that veterinarians can do to help with the symptoms.
However, the fact that these dogs frequently just get better on their own over the course of a week or two is confirmation enough that the problem was old dog vestibular disease. If it's something far worse, the situation will steadily get worse and not better.
Sometimes it takes just a few days to see massive improvement and sometimes it takes a few weeks. They also may never totally recover from the problem. Some dogs may always have a bit of a head tilt or walk slightly off.
Conclusion
If you think your dog is exhibiting signs that their balance is off, don't just assume that everything will be okay because it's just old dog vestibular disease. Take your dog in for a full examination by your family veterinarian. Make sure that there aren't any other issues that you might not see that could be a sign of something more serious going on.
We are located at 10225 S. Parker Rd in Parker, Colorado.
Leptospirosis In Colorado - Is Your Dog Protected?
A recent news article from a local Denver news channel has prompted a new round of concern for an old disease - Leptospirosis. What is it, and are your dogs protected from it?
Leptospirosis (or Lepto) is a bacterial disease that can be transmitted through the urine of affected wildlife (coyote, deer, raccoons, etc). It is not only potentially fatal to dogs but it has the potential to spread to their humans as well.
If you've been a patient of our hospital for the last 30 years, your dogs should be protected. Lepto is not a new disease. There have been risks present in our area of Douglas County for quite a while. Parker was known as more of a rural area up til the last decade or so and saw frequent visitations from a large variety of wildlife.
However, since the massive and fast development of our town's residential areas into areas that were previously rural, our pets are even more exposed than they used to be because contact with wildlife is even more common now.
In the past at our hospital, your dog was protected by getting a combination vaccine that contained protection against Distemper, Parvo, and Lepto (among a few other things). That vaccine was given annually.
We've now switched our Canine Distemper and Parvo vaccine to a 3-year variant over the last few years. Removing Lepto, which is a vaccine that needs to be given annually, allows us to use that longer-acting vaccine. Lepto is now given by itself on an annual basis to dogs that are at risk for exposure.
Which Dogs Are At Risk?
Any dog that has exposure to anywhere wildlife have been are at risk. Because the method of transmission is urine, if your dog goes into the backyard on a regular basis, they are at risk for exposure.
Yes, that also means that puppies who play outside are at risk of the disease as well. We routinely vaccinate puppies with Leptospirosis at around 12 weeks and 16 weeks of age in the combination vaccine with distemper and parvo.
Who would we not vaccinate?
- Dogs with allergic reactions to vaccines
- Dogs with certain pre-existing health conditions for which vaccines are not recommended (talk to us when you come in for your annual visit)
- Dogs that never step foot outdoors (that also includes the very elderly dog)
What Are The Symptoms of Leptospirosis?
- Anorexia (not eating)
- Drinking and urinating a great deal in the beginning
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
There are certain values which will usually be elevated in any lab work that we perform that will help to point us to the diagnosis of Lepto. Special blood tests are used to confirm the diagnosis.
People Can Get Leptospirosis?
Yes!! They can get infected from urine as well, so if your dog gets it and they have a urinary accident in the house and you clean it up, you're at risk. At the emergency clinics where it is most commonly treated, personnel there wear protective clothing, gloves, and eye protection to prevent their own exposure when dealing with dogs who have Lepto.
I've Heard The Lepto Vaccine Is Dangerous...
In my 20 years of practice, that used to be a correct statement in my mind. It seemed years ago that Lepto would cause more vaccine reactions than any other vaccine we used. However, as vaccine technology and protocols have improved, the vaccines produced now are far safer than they've ever been.
Can Leptospirosis Be Treated?
Yes, if caught soon enough, it can be treated with strong antibiotics and intravenous fluids. For those dogs that have been severely affected and come in with evidence of organ damage already, treatment is less effective.
In Conclusion
All dogs who go outside in this area of Colorado for any reason should be vaccinated for Leptospirosis annually. If there are any concerns about whether or not your dog should get this vaccine, check with your veterinarian!
We are located at 10225 S. Parker Rd in Parker, Colorado (303)-841-2120
What To Do When Your Cat Stops Using The Litter Box
It's easily one of the worst things a cat owner can experience. Everything has been fine for years and then suddenly your cat (or multiple cats) stop using their litter boxes. It's a frustrating and unsanitary problem that can be difficult to overcome.
In our practice we see this fairly commonly. In this article we will break down the causes of this issue into its two major components (physical and mental). Then we will go over the common "rules" of litter boxes as well as give some sound and practical ways to get your cat to start using the litter box again.
Is It A Physical Or Mental Problem?
The causes of "inappropriate elimination" (whether it's urine and/or stool) can be broken down into two general categories: physical and mental. Determining which is the cause is the key to figuring out a quick resolution to this problem.
Physical Causes
As a veterinarian, unless the cause is something truly simple such as no one ever empties the litter box, we always recommend first looking into the physical causes of not using the litter box. These can include:
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Urinary Tract Pain
- Constipation
- Anything that can cause diarrhea
- Arthritis
- Lethargy from diseases outside the urinary tract
Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections are typically fairly common. Not only is your cat urinating in very inappropriate places (and I've been told by clients before that they've even had cat urinate on them while sleeping) to signal to their owners that there's a problem, but the urine itself usually has a foul odor (more foul than usual) and may have a tinge of blood in it.
A urinalysis is the only way to confirm an infection is present or if it's something else like crystals or other urinary tract issues.
How do you bring a urine sample to your vet?
There are different ways you can collect a urine sample at home from your cat. Sometimes you can simply use a syringe to collect the sample (most vets will let you just have one) if the cat is urinating frequently on a hard-surfaced floor. Try to get at least a one full mL and bring it to the vet within a few hours at most.
You can also empty out your litter box and see if your cat (if they are still somewhat using the litter box) will pee in an empty box. Some actually will. Otherwise you can also put some non-absorbing styrofoam pieces (for packing) or utilize a product that can be used temporarily as a litter replacement that won't soak up the urine.
Sometimes the easiest way is to simply line the top of the litter and the insides of the walls of the box with a product like plastic wrap. Cats will generally be okay with walking on it and the urine can be then poured into a clean plastic container and brought into the vet.
Of course, your veterinarian may want to collect the sample themselves. They do this in a process called cystocentesis which involves aspirating out a small sample of urine directly from the bladder. Cats handle this very well and a cystocentesis sample is a more sterile and accurate urine sample to test.
Urinary Tract Pain
Pain in the urinary tract of a cat can be caused by diseases such as infections, inflammation, crystals, and stones (among other things). When a cat feels pain in their bladder or urethra, they will reflexively want to urinate. This results in them urinating wherever they happen to be at the moment.
You may even catch your cat straining to urinate. If you see this, take your cat into the vet immediately. While it could be pain from a simple urinary tract infection, it could also signal a blockage in the urinary tract that could be life-threatening. Your vet will be able to quickly determine which it is.
Know that when your vet thinks that there's pain in the urinary tract, tests such as a urinalysis, lab work, and xrays are the minimum starting point to figure out what is wrong.
Constipation
Constipation in cats is fairly common in older, senior cats and you should start noticing a problem if either the litter box isn't filling up as much as it usually does or the cat starts to defecate in inappropriate places.
Why does constipation cause a cat to not use the litter box? Well, if the cat has been constipated for a bit and suddenly it feels like it's time to go...well, it's time to go! Doesn't matter where they are!
Anything That Causes Diarrhea
If your cat is having loose stool, then they likely can't always make it to the litter box in time. If your cat has diarrhea for more than a day, contact your veterinarian.
Arthritis
Arthritis in the back or the rear legs can cause problems with the litter box. Why? Because it may hurt or be difficult for a cat with arthritis to get into a litter box or to enter the elimination "position" if there's a ceiling on the box.
The best way to test this is to use a open-top litter box like this one. We like the bigger ones that are easier for cats to get in and out.
Lethargy
Is your cat lying around and not wanting to get up and do its normal activities? It may have nothing at all to do with the urinary or GI tract, but that lethargy causes them to be so weak that they don't want to go use the litter box. If your cat is that lethargic that it eliminates near where it is laying, call your vet immediately.
Mental Causes Of Inappropriate Elimination
If all medical/health-related issues have been ruled out, then it's likely that your cat is having some sort of mental/emotional issues related to the litter box.
Here are things to check to see if this is the case:
- How often do you clean your litter box? Daily is best, but at least every other day is needed to keep your cat happy with this situation. Don't want to do that? Consider a self-cleaning litter box and take yourself out of the issue.
- How many litter boxes do you have? The general recommendation is one litter box per floor of your house if you have multiple floors. If you have multiple cats, you also need at least one box per floor.
- Have you recently changed litter? Cat like routine, and if you throw off their routine by getting a new type of litter that feels and smells different to them they might not want to use it.
- If you have multiple cats, is everyone getting along? A bully cat will pick on the more submissive cat when they are in the litter box sometimes. You might also have a problem if two cats that just don't get along are suddenly confronting each other at the entrance to the litter box. This is why multiple litter boxes are key with multi-cat households.
So if it's not any of the above litter box-related issues and you think that your cat is having some kind of mental issue, check with your vet. Your cat is not happy and your vet will hopefully be able to help with that.
Without knowing more about the individual history of your cat, it's impossible for us to diagnose and know how to treat your feline buddy.
How To Get Your Cat To Start Using A Litter Box Again
Once you have identified the reason why your cat isn't using the litter box and have started treating it, then now it's time to expect your cat to go back to the box.
But what if they don't? What if they decide that going on your pillow is just as easy and fun as the litter box?
Then you need to train your cat to use the litter box unlike you had to when they were kittens. They just went right to the box then, didn't they?
When you're retraining, my general recommendation is to do two things:
- Limit the space your cat can move for about a week. That means keeping him/her in a small room such as a bathroom so there's no access to areas like the bed or the basement to eliminate. Give the cat a litter box, water, food, and any normal toes or treats that they like.
- Add a litter attractant to the normal litter to draw your cat to the box and encourage it to "mark" the litter.
Conclusion
When cats aren't utilizing the litter box, no one is happy. Make sure you have your feline friend checked out by your veterinarian first to identify any physical ailments they may have. If all that checks out, make sure you are doing what you should be to keep the litter box a safe and clean place. Finally, if your cat is really unhappy call your vet to discuss it.
