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.
Why Does My Dog Eat Grass?
Does your dog like to race outside every morning, eat some grass, and then vomit? What if they just like to graze from time to time? Is this a problem and should you be worried as a pet owner.
There are no easy answers when it comes to just about anything in veterinary medicine and this seemingly simple topic is yet another example. Make sure you talk to your vet if your dog eats grass regularly as only they will truly be able to tell you if it's a potential problem or not.
Let's start by looking at the 3 major reasons why dogs will eat grass:
- They Eat Everything
- They Like The Taste
- Their Stomach Is Bothering Them
They Eat Everything
Some dogs will literally put anything and everything into their mouth. If your dog is ingesting things constantly, then it could be a condition called pica.
Pica is a medication condition in which an animal (or person) will eat things that have absolutely no nutritional value. Think rocks, dirt, plastic toys, etc.
How can you distinguish if this is the case with your dog? You likely already know because you're constantly pulling things out of their mouths. That's how it is with my golden retriever. She's always putting things in her mouth that I have to remove. When she eats grass, I don't worry that it's an actual medical issue.
They Like The Taste
When spring comes along and the grass is lush and green, some dogs love to graze in the backyard. That can be totally normal. Dogs are omnivores, meaning they eat both meat and plant products, and they like the taste of grass at times.
If it's spring or early summer grass covered with the morning dew, it can be quite tasty to some dogs. Some wolves have even been observed in the wild eating grass.
Not every dog will eat grass and vomit. I'd estimate that it's a smaller percentage than you actually think. However, it's when your dog runs directly outside in the morning, eats grass like they are on a mission, and then vomits up a pile of bile and fluid along with that grass that may signal there's an issue.
Their Stomach Is Bothering Them
Now we are down to the nitty gritty of why you're likely reading this post. You think that your dog is actually telling you there's a problem by eating grass and then vomiting.
What are some other ways that you can tell if their stomach is actually bothering them?
- They also don't eat breakfast like they normally do
- They act lethargic or just "off"
- They may vomit more than once
- They also have diarrhea
At this point, if you see that your dog is actually exhibiting the above behaviors more than a few days a week, contact your vet and go in for a thorough evaluation. There are so many possible reasons for this behavior.
- Bacterial imbalance in the stomach
- Their diet is causing irritation and inflammation
- They ate a foreign object and it's sitting in their stomach
- Liver disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease...
- We're stopping here because we don't want to scare you. Go see your vet.
Ways To Keep The Stomach Healthy
If you're trying to keep your dog in tip-top shape and they don't have any current issues with their stomach, there are definitely some things that you can do to keep the stomach healthy and functioning perfectly.
Probiotics
The gastrointestinal tract of a dog is filled with a multitide of different kinds of bacteria. Most of them are good and are there to help your system digest, absorb, and transport food through the body. Some of them, however, are bad.
When that balance between good and bad bacteria gets thrown off, problems like vomiting and diarrhea can develop. This can happen in any dog at any time. Dogs like to walk around the yard and lick things on the ground. Who knows what they're actually putting into their bodies at this time?
Probiotics are the good bacteria in a concentrated form. The usage of probiotics is intended to maintain the optimal bacterial environment to keep a dog healthy.
Some of our favorite probiotics found on Amazon are Fortiflora (which we have carried in our practice for the past few years and Zesty Paws Probiotic.
Look At Their Diet
The more recent trend towards high-protein dog food diets were rooted in a marketing campaign to equate dog food diets with their ancient wolf ancestors. However, dogs have evolved over centuries and have developed a digestive tract far different from their wolf counterparts.
It's not uncommon to look at a lot of the "boutique" dog food diets and find protein contents of 40% or more. There are some dogs that simply can't handle that level of protein. How do I know? I've treated several dogs over the past 3-4 years with chronic GI symptoms of intermittent anorexia and vomiting. The first few times I ran a multitude of tests to determine the cause.
Now I simply ask what food the otherwise seemingly healthy dog is one and make diet change one of my first treatment recommendations. Those dogs that had intermittent GI issues with their high-proteins diets have their issue resolve on a new diet with a more reasonable level of protein.
How much protein does a common domesticated dog really need? No more than about 33% protein. Anything more and you're likely going to run into situations where the dog isn't really absorbing all that extra protein. Instead your dog is going to expel some super stinky gas and may even have abnormal stools.
Other Considerations
Some of the other ways that you can keep your dog's stomach healthy and working well include not giving it treats that are high in fat or calories, keeping your pet at an optimal weight, and exercising them often.
Conclusion
Your dog eating grass may or may not be an issue. If you're seeing it on a more chronic basis and it's associated with other symptoms, call your veterinarian to schedule an exam.
Parker Animal Hospital - 303-841-2120
Blue-Green Algae And Your Dog
Dog owners in Colorado have recently been concerned by news reports of blue-green algae in local lakes and are worried. Should they not take their dogs to these lakes? How can they protect their dogs? How worried should they be?
Let's dig into what we know about blue-green algae and find out what you can do to keep yourself and your dog safe!
Speaking of safe, do you have a Pet First Aid Kit in your car for small emergencies? Check this one out on Amazon. Vet recommended!
What is Blue-Green Algae?
Actually, it's not algae at all. It's a particular type of bacteria called cyanobacteria. This bacteria is normally found in lakes all over the country, especially when the water is rich in nutrients it needs to grow. It's most common in the late-summer months when it's still warm and the water levels in slow-moving water (like lakes and ponds) are shallow.
Blue-green algae can be described as looking like "pea soup" and can cover a large area or just a small little pocket of standing water. Sometimes it can also be associated with a funky smell.
However, blue-green algae can also be hidden more under the water and in small spots so you never really know if you're exposed to it or not in many cases.
Why Has It Suddenly Seemed To Be A Problem?
There's a couple different reasons why blue-green algae is on everyone's minds:
- Dog Deaths
Reports from Georgia and North Carolina over the past few weeks have described the sudden deaths of several dogs after swimming and playing in ponds and lakes containing blue-green algae.
- Media Coverage
Because of the dog deaths described above, this situation has sparked a large amount of media coverage. It's crossed into the general news feed of a lot of people and is now on everyone's minds.
- It's Late Summer
Late summer is the typical time for blue-green algae to bloom in many locations across the country.
Why Is It Dangerous?
Let's first point out that in the vast majority of blue-green algae are NOT dangerous!
However, because you can't tell if the blue-green algae blooming in front of you is toxic or not, it's best just to steer clear.
Some types of blue-green algae actually produce harmful toxins like microcystins or anatoxins (more info below). Symptoms of a toxic exposure will vary depending on what type of toxin was ingested.
It's also important to note that even just a few mouthfuls of toxin-infested water can cause potentially fatal issues so again...steer clear of anything that looks like blue-green algae!!
What Symptoms Appear If My Dog Gets Sick?
The two major types of toxins and the clinical signs that they cause are as follows:
- Microcystins - This nasty toxin goes after the liver and can cause massive damage or even liver failure. Clinical signs include vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stool, weakness, pale gums, seizures, shock, and coma.
- Anatoxins - This one goes after the nervous system. Clinical signs include excessive salivation and lacrimation (runny eyes), muscle tremors, muscle rigidity, and paralysis. Because this spreads to the respiratory muscles quickly, the breathing is greatly impaired. Imminent signs of respiratory failure include difficulty breathing and a bluish discoloration to the gums and skin.
My Dog Is Showing The Clinical Signs - What Do I Do?
Head to the nearest animal emergency hospital immediately. The rate at which these clinical signs progress is very rapid and very frightening. In the case of liver damage done by microcystins, aggressive treatment needs to be started as soon as possible.
If your dog has ingested anatoxins, you may not even have enough time to get to the emergency clinic. That's been the situation with the dog deaths described above. If you are able to get to an emergency clinic, aggressive immediate treatment is your dog's only chance. Even then, death is very likely.
For more information, check out the Pet Poison Helpline.
For more information about this issue in people, check out the CDC's section on Harmful Algal Bloom-Associated Illness.
Where In Colorado Has Blue-Green Algae Been Reported In 2019?
To be perfectly honest, blue-green algae is very common this time of year. It's been reported from Boulder down to Colorado Springs in several reservoirs and lakes.
So far no cases linked to ingestion of the toxins that can be produced by blue-green algae have been reported in Colorado in 2019.
How To Prevent Algae Blooms
- Pick up after your dog!!! Not only is this just common courtesy and better for human health, but dog excrement around lakes can contribute to the nitrogen levels that create algae blooms.
- Use Phosphate-free fertilizer! Phosphate-containing fertilizer are another source of nutrients for blue-green algae.
Take Home Point
If you spot what looks like blue-green algae in your local pond or lake, just stay away.
Local Dog Parks
New to town and want to try out one of our local dog parks?
We've compiled a list and summarized the features of each dog park that is within a 10 minute drive of Parker.
Barker Days - 5 Tips To Make Your Dog's Day Great
Every September the town of Parker, Colorado shuts down the pool to humans at O'Brien Park downtown on the weekend after Labor Day and opens it to all the local dogs and their families!
There's also areas for agility contests and plenty of vendors on-hand to represent the variety of pet services available in Parker!
Worried about your dog in the water? Dog life vests can help make it easy for your dog to stay afloat as well as give you a handle to help him/her out of the water easier!
For 2019, the event is on September 7. Click here to check it out!
Pre-registration will guarantee your spot on the day, but if you show up at 11 a.m. without a registration, you might still be able to get in based on the current capacity.
It's a fun-filled day, but if you've never gone you might wonder what it's like and whether your dog would like it. As not only a local veterinarian but also a local resident, I can give you the lowdown on what to expect.
Here's 5 Tips To Make Barker Days Great!
1. Make Sure Your Dog Is Sociable
How well does your dog (or dogs) get along with other dogs? Do they visit any local dog parks? Go to doggy daycare?
If they are a good canine citizen with lots of experience making friends, then they will be happy and comfortable in the crazy, hectic setting of Barker Days.
On the other hand, if your dog gets nervous even when on a walk in the neighborhood and doesn't have much outside dog experience, then you're better off not going.
Conversely, if your dog is always trying to boss other dogs around and dominate them, they will likely not be welcome at Barker Days.
In the end, what's most important is that the dogs are happy and safe while they're at the event.
2. Register Ahead And Know The Rules
Pre-registration is found here. All dogs must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older! Your dog must have a collar on with an I.D. tag and a current rabies tag.
Abide by any visibly posted rules during the event! There is a Dog First Aid station in the vendor area if your dog gets injured playing.
3. Don't Bring Any Extra Treats Or Food
There are a multitude of vendors that will be present during the event on the ball field. They have plenty of treats for your dog to try as well as lots of information about pet-related services found around Parker!
You also don't want to attract a crowd around you if you do decide to bring your own treats. The dogs are always very excitable and eager to meet and greet everyone (and everything they can).
4. Don't Try And Control Your Dog Constantly
Barker Days is an off-leash event. You should not plan on keeping your dog on a leash once you're inside the blocked-off area. Dogs who need to be kept on leashes to keep under control should just not attend.
What I've witnessed at past Barker Days (and I've gone for many years) is that a dog on a leash will attract other dogs. That dog who is on a leash will feel confined and trapped because they can't move very much. Give your dog the freedom to have all the fun he/she wants.
5. Leave When He/She Is Tired
For some dogs, they can only last for many an hour or two before they become exhausted. The excitement of the morning combined with some vigorous swimming can easily exhaust most dogs.
While some dogs make it very evident that they are tired by lying down and not wanting to interact anymore, other dogs might have to be monitored if they're the kind to play until they drop.
Keep an eye on your dog while it is in the pool. The event does have plenty of human lifeguards on hand to prevent any water accidents, but nothing replaces keeping an eye on your own dog.
If they start to struggle while swimming and are having a hard time, it's time to get out of the pool for sure!
At The End Of The Day...
You should have had a fun experience and your dog should look something like this...
Grain-Free Dog Foods And Heart Disease
Recent news broke that linked dog diets that are grain-free as being linked to the development of a heart disease called Dilated Cardiomyopathy in certain dog breeds that aren't normally prone to the problem.
For those dogs that are on grain-free foods and do not need to be because of any food allergy issue, we recommend changing their diet to a diet that does contain grains.
**Check out this great article from Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine about nutritional needs of dogs with heart disease**
The grain-free diet trend was started a few years back as a response to the issue in humans regarding gluten and diet sensitivities. There has never been a study or any proof that dogs themselves need to have grains restricted from their diets.
Before this news broke, we felt that the grain-free foods, while not recommended by us, weren't a cause for concern. Now it appears that opinion is false. The grain-free foods are likely deficient in some type of nutrient that is causing the development of this heart disease.
A safe heart supplement may ease your mind about the heart health of your dog. We like Vetriscience products and carry them in our clinic. You can find their Cardiac supplement on Amazon.
This is similar to the rash of heart disease (the same dilated cardiomyopathy) that developed in cats in the mid-1980's in regards to dietary changes made to cat foods back then. We discovered that taurine was an essential amino acid in cats that they needed for proper heart health.
How did we find that out? Unfortunately, it took quite a few cats eating cat food deficient in taurine and developing a subsequent heart condition for this to become known.
Until the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) figures out exactly what is causing this issue with these foods, it's highly recommended to switch off that grain-free food you're feeding your dog.
