Sock Chew Toy – The Easy and Free Way to Keep Your Dog Entertained

pet-adoption-sock Is your dog bored with her same old chew toys? Kongs, Bully sticks, and Raw Hides are excellent chew toys for your dog, and they also give your pooch something to do. Having an activity to work on keeps your pet mentally stimulated, which we all know is as important as keeping your pup physically stimulated as well. Here’s a new chew toy to try, and the best part? It’s free and easy to make! You can even make it with your kids to keep them involved in your dog’s care.

Find an old sock – the longer the sock the better. Put a treat at the bottom of the sock, then tie a knot. Put another treat above the first knot, and then tie another knot. Depending on the length of the sock, and if you still have fabric to work with, do it one more time – place a piece of treat above the second knot and tie a third knot. This gives your dog two to three knots to have to try to figure out and undo in order to get her treats! The smellier the treat you use, the more enticed she will be to undo those knots and stay focused on getting her treats. This easy to make, free chew toy will change things up, keep your canine busy, and let her work hard for her treats.

Just remember not to use the socks you’ll need to wear tomorrow 

Is your kitten biting you or playing too rough?

kitten-plays-too-roughRecently a friend asked me for some kitten advice. She adopted a new kitten, and was having problems with her biting behavior. I’ve fostered hundreds of kittens and cats, including many who would play bite. With the help of some knowledgeable cat behaviorists, I was able to teach them all to stop. By “play bite” I mean kitten biting that would sometimes really hurt but happened during play, not aggressive or fearful biting. (For adult cat biting, read this.) Sadly, very sweet kittens can be surrendered to shelters for play biting behavior, even though it can usually be fairly quickly stopped, if you know what to do. Read on for my friend’s email and my response with my five steps for success. I hope this will help anyone who is struggling with a feisty, play-biting kitten!

Hi Jennifer! My family rescued the most adorable kitten. She’s 3 months old, super friendly and cute, but this is THE MOST feisty kitten I have ever met! She bites bites bites all in non-stop play. She attacked my face even! I was told to only play with her with toys, but this doesn’t seem to phase her. Any advice would be soooo welcome! Thanks!

It’s so wonderful you rescued a kitten! Here are five steps I use with feisty foster kittens, to teach them not to play bite people:

  1. Adopt a kitty friend for your kitten! Ideally one around the same size and age (NOT younger or smaller, but the same age or a few months older) with an equal energy level. Spend time with potential kittens to try to adopt a kitten who plays gently with you already. After you introduce them, the kittens will play and teach each other not to play or bite so hard that it hurts. They’ll also have fun tiring each other out! You can find kittens for adoption near you here: http://adopt-a-cat.adoptapet.com
    Tip: If adopting a 2nd kitten isn’t possible, though not as effective, give your kitten a stuffed animal toy kitten, the same size, and lots of other stuffed toys that she can bite and wrestle with safely.
  2. No hands: Do not play with kitten using your hands, or toys that she plays with while they are in your hand. Don’t allow anyone else to either!
  3. Appropriate play: Get a laser toy and feather toy on a string, or any other super fun running around toys that you can play without being too close to kitten. Like a remote control mouse!! (Here’s an adorable video of a kitten playing with a remote control mouse.) Get kitten’s energy out with 3 “remote” play sessions of 5-10 minutes every day. Tire kitten out with fun!
    Tip: The frequency and intensity of the play sessions will probably need to increase as she becomes an adolescent, until she matures into an adult kitty, and then can taper down. It’s ideal to observe kitty during each session to see the moment she starts to get slightly less interested in playing, and stop before she’s totally tired/bored with the game.
  4. No punishment, instead withdraw: If kitten starts to rough-play with any part of your body, IMMEDIATELY stop playing & walk out of room. If she’s “attacking” you while you are sleeping or resting, close her out of those rooms while you are doing those activities until these steps start helping. Do not punish. Kittens are often biting for attention, and even negative attention like punishment (of any kind, even gentle) is reinforcement and likely will make the biting WORSE.
  5. Calm petting: Practice petting only when kitten is super sleepy, or eating. Kitten should learn human hands touching them is soothing, not play.

You should see improvement starting almost immediately, but definitely within a few days. If you do get bitten hard enough to draw blood, even the tiniest bit, make sure you immediately flush flush flush with clean running water at full force for 5 minutes, and then go to your doctor or urgent care immediately. They will likely prescribe antibiotics. Even tiny cat bites should not to be ignored. Not to scare you, but the infections cat bites can cause, especially to hands and wrists, can be very severe and require surgery if not immediately (the same day) treated by a doctor.

Thanks again for adopting a kitten and giving her a loving home!

Rehome by Adopt a Pet

If you can not safely keep your kitten any longer, you may feel that rehoming is the best option for you, your family, and your kitten. If this is the case, in addition to contacting local cat rescue organizations for help, consider using Rehome by Adopt a Pet. You can post your kitten on the Adopt a Pet website to connect with potential adopters near you. Get started here.

Adopt-a-Pet.com on PEOPLEPets – Adopt Chappie

PeoplePets-chappieAdopt-a-Pet.com is working with PEOPLEPets.com to bring adoptable pets more attention. Check out this post on about Chappie, age 4, who was rescued from by staffers at the Heartland Animal Shelter in Northbrook, Ill. “He has the most beautiful big brown eyes… you can’t help but fall in love with him,” volunteer Lou Basten tells PEOPLEPets.com.”He is very mellow and easygoing.”

The gentle boy loves cuddling up in blankets and beds, and particularly enjoys tummy rubs. “Look out though,” Basten says, “you are sure to get a lot of kisses while petting him!” Chappie is housetrained, neutered and up-to-date on his shots. You can see Chappie’s Adopt-a-Pet.com listing with more photos and info here too.

What Can Adopting A Pet Teach Your Children

mamapedia This week Mamapedia.com asked Adopt-a-Pet.com to shed some light on what pet adoption can teach children. Adopting from a local animal shelter or rescue organization helps teach kids about personal responsibility, community service, and their ability to make an impact as they make choices in life. Those are just a few of the powerful character-shaping lessons that come with adopting a pet! There is no limit to the great lessons that you can teach and learn when you opt to adopt; the process of saving a life benefits all involved.  Here is the story of Betsy and John who contemplated adopting a pet.

Famous baseball couple + boundless compassion = Sox For Strays

Take one fabulous powerhouse baseball couple with a major-league love of companion animals, add in the support of their team and stadium, mix in several adorable, adoptable dogs and a couple of awesome animal rescue groups, and what do you get?  Sox For Strays, an incredibly innovative event I had the pleasure of attending last week.

SoxForStrayssign Sox For Strays is an adoption-promoting program founded by Jamie and Mark Buehrle, of White Sox fame.  If you’re a baseball fan (or if you’re even remotely aware of the game), you know Mark Buehrle by his impressive accomplishments.  Last season, he became only the 18th major-leaguer since 1900 to pitch a perfect game (July 23rd at home against Tampa Bay…yeah, I’m a baseball nerd).  He’s one of just a few players in Major League history to have thrown both a no-hitter and a perfect game.  He’s an All-Star, a Gold Glover…I should stop myself, but believe me, I could go on.

Believe me when I say Jamie Buehrle is every bit as cool as her husband, and she is a force to be reckoned with.  Luckily for us, she uses her powers for good.  Every month, Jamie and Mark invite an animal shelter or rescue group to bring a few adoptable pets to a special pre-game adoption event at U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox.  Jamie records a special public service announcement featuring the pets, which is played on the stadium’s huge video screen during the game.

The July event was very special because it featured Hope Animal Rescues.  Although Mark and Jamie Buehrle support several animal shelters and rescues, they are particularly connected with Hope Animal Rescues, even donating a new facility that will be called Buehrle’s Barn in their honor.  Jamie had told me how amazing she thought Hope Animal Rescues was, and when I met Jackie Spiker, Hope’s co-founder, I could see why.  Jackie is an energetic, compassionate, tireless advocate for animal welfare.  Whenever Hope has room to take in a few more dogs, Jackie and her partner Kim Lee go to animal control and take the dogs that are on their last day.  It doesn’t matter what they look like, how old they are, if they have medical issues, or anything else: if they’re out of time, they end up in the car with Jackie and Kim.

Jackie told me about a very special puppy named Soldier who currently needs a foster home in the Madison County, Illinois area.  Soldier is a 4-month-old lab/basset hound mix with a deformed front paw that will need to be removed.  Although Soldier’s veterinary costs will be covered, he is currently being boarded and desperately  needs a loving foster home where he can recuperate.  After that, he will be available for adoption.  If you can help, please go here and apply to be a foster home.

The dog who most captured my heart at the Sox For Strays event was a really special guy named Truman.  I’m not alone, either.  When Jamie and Mark Buehrle heard about Truman, they really stepped up to the plate, so to speak, and took financial and emotional responsibility for his care.  Truman has an amazing story: he was found on the street, guarding the body his friend, a dachshund who had been killed by a car.  He was terrified, and it took Jackie and Kim of Hope Animal Rescues three days to catch him and take him into their care.  You can read all about Truman’s story here.  Warning: have some tissues handy.  Since this story was written, Truman has made so much progress.  He’s in a foster home, he’s working with a trainer and doing agility, and he’s ready for the right forever home.  Truman will need a very patient, calm, and kind family to love him.  I think you’ll agree that Truman is a study in loyalty, and I was honored to be able to spend some time cuddling with this amazing being.  I can’t get his beautiful face out of my mind.

If you’re in the Chicago area, don’t miss the next Sox For Strays events, which will be at U.S. Cellular Field on August 11 and September 17.  If you bring a donation to the featured animal welfare group, you’ll be entered to win a signed item from Mark Buehrle himself!

Below are some pictures of the day, including a couple of Truman:

Jamie Buehrle, the co-mastermind (along with Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle) behind Sox For Strays
Jamie Buehrle, the co-mastermind (along with Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle) behind Sox For Strays
Sounds like a good deal to me!
Sounds like a good deal to me!
Jamie Buehrle hands over a puppy to his new family.  A beautiful, exciting moment!
Jamie Buehrle hands over a puppy to his new family. A beautiful, exciting moment!
Jackie Spiker, Co-Founder of Hope Animal Rescues, makes yet another successful match! This family drove a long distance to pick up their new family member.
Jackie Spiker, Co-Founder of Hope Animal Rescues, makes yet another successful match! This family drove a long distance to pick up their new family member.
Jamie Buehrle pets Truman, a very special dog sponsored by the Buehrles.  See Truman's story above.
Jamie Buehrle pets Truman, a very special dog sponsored by the Buehrles.
Truman, the dog who was found on the street, guarding the body of a little dachshund who had been killed by a car.  Truman needs a very loving, peaceful home...yours, perhaps?
Truman, the dog who was found on the street, guarding the body of a little dachshund who had been killed by a car. Truman needs a very loving, peaceful home...yours, perhaps?
Fans who donated cash or pet-care items were entered to win an autographed Mark Buehrle item.  Some were surprised to find out they were talking to Jamie Buehrle herself!
Fans who donated cash or pet-care items were entered to win an autographed Mark Buehrle item. Some were surprised to find out they were talking to Jamie Buehrle herself!
So many fans brought items from Hope Rescue's wish list.  The bags and boxes piled up.
So many fans brought items from Hope Rescue's wish list. The bags and boxes piled up.

Video: Our own Katya Friedman on "My Life on the D-List" with Kathy Griffin

MyLifeOnTheD-ListFabulous A-List (in our book, anyway) actress and comedian Kathy Griffin is an animal lover with a huge heart.  So when her beloved 12-year-old dog Chance passed away recently, Griffin was absolutely devastated.  Her other dog, Pom Pom, was also grieving, so Kathy decided to add a new member to her family.  Always one for fashion AND compassion,Kathy wanted to adopt her new dog from a shelter or rescue group.

Choosing the right companion for herself and Pom Pom was daunting. As Kathy so eloquently put it, “I want to save the right dog, and I need the right dog to save me.”  So, on the most recent episode of Griffin’s series “My Life On The D-List”, a panel of experts was assembled, including Adopt-a-Pet.com’s own Katya Friedman, who introduced Kathy to three wonderful dogs.  See the heartwarming (and hilarious) meeting here.  The adoption story begins about 40 seconds in, and Katya, of course, is the one wearing the Adopt-a-Pet.com t-shirt!

Crazy Sexy Adoption! (We love Kris Carr.)

The uber-fabulous Kris Carr, whose story was told in the documentary Crazy Sexy Cancer (which she wrote and directed,KrisCarr too) is a woman on a mission to defeat disease and educate people how to be their healthiest.  Through her inspiring books, Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips and Crazy Sexy Cancer Survivor, and her amazing blog, Crazy Sexy Life she’s training an army of “wellness warriors” to achieve radiant health…and to have a great time while doing it.

In her most recent vlog, Kris–and her adorable adopted pooch Lola–tout pet adoption (and give Adopt-a-Pet.com a huge shout-out!) as a component of a healthier life.  How does adopting a pet make you healthier?  Check out her video.  While you’re there, leave a comment and let Kris know you support pet adoption, too!

Creating a Dog-Friendly Backyard

barkbusters-logo Creating a dog-friendly backyard brings many benefits such as the dog’s safety, prevention of boredom and attendant misbehaviors, exercise, and enjoyment of nature. Remember, though, that while letting your dog have a free romp in your yard keeps him exercised, active and happy, the yard should be used only as a temporary retreat. Nothing can replace the time you spend with your furry pal to enhance your relationship and seal your special bond.

Dogs kept in a bland backyard all day are far more likely to misbehave with chewing, digging, excessive barking, pacing along the fence, or fence fighting with other dogs. Adapting your yard to make it more comfortable and appealing to your dog will go a long way toward making for a more contented, relaxed canine companion.

Poisonous Ingestibles

Dogs which are bored or hungry will be tempted to eat anything they find in your yard, including plants or flowers. Dogs can become extremely ill or even die from eating poisonous plants. Ask your vet for a list of plants to avoid. To help prevent your dog from eating plants, don’t garden with him present — otherwise he may conclude that playing with plants and digging are acceptable activities.

Mulch can also be problematic. Many types of mulch are toxic, especially cocoa bean mulch. Large-size wood mulch can harm your dog if he chews on it, creating wood splinters that could lodge in his mouth or stomach.

Don’t leave out any products meant for outdoor use where your pet can get into them. This includes lawn chemicals like fertilizers and weed killers, antifreeze, pesticides, and outdoor grilling supplies like charcoal and lighter fluid.

Chewing

Dogs chew for various reasons, such as stress, boredom, teething or diet deficiency. There are different things you can try to prevent this behavior, depending on your dog and what he is chewing. The easiest way to stop your dog from chewing is to have the item itself give the correction by applying a foul-tasting product such as Bitter Apple spray, citronella or hot chili sauce to it. However, since dogs’ tastes vary, you’ll need to experiment to see what works best.

Keep your dog entertained by providing high-quality puzzle toys that reward him with treats, such as the Buster Cube® and KONG®. Every few days, rotate what toys are available to him, so that he has something new and fun to hold his interest.

Never give your dog old shoes or clothing items to chew, as he may not distinguish between these old items and new ones. Also be aware that plastic drink bottles may inadvertently teach your dog that plastic is okay to chew, which means plastic planters, hoses and garden furniture become likely targets for his teeth.

Water

Water is always essential to your pooch, so be sure the yard includes a large water bowl filled with fresh water in all seasons.

If you choose to incorporate a water feature such as a small pond, be sure to use the kind which circulates water to help avoid mosquitoes. Still-water ponds need chemical additives to kill the larvae that will grow there, and is unhealthy for household pets.

If you have a swimming pool, consider constructing a barrier to prevent accidents. Or, teach your dog to swim and show him where to exit the pool.

Shade

While being outside can make for a happy dog, being stuck in the blazing sun is unhealthy. Create a cool spot for your pooch by scraping an indented area in a shady place where he can relax in comfort. Without such a place, your dog may create his own spot in an area not of your choosing.

Digging

Digging is a normal behavior for dogs. They dig in search of food, to investigate sounds and smells, to improve their shelter, or to escape. Digging can be triggered by boredom, separation anxiety, chasing rodents or bugs, and/or a nutritional deficiency. The reason for the digging must be determined before a possible training solution can be tried. A qualified dog behavioral therapist such as a Bark Busters trainer can help you with this tricky behavioral issue.

Scratching at Back Door

A dog will scratch at the back door because all the good, fun stuff is kept inside – including you. Give your dog a bone or scatter food (see below) when you put him outside. Whether he is outside or inside, he must know that he is always in safe territory with an abundance of food.

Scatter food appeals to a dog’s natural instinct to forage. Dogs enjoy looking for food on the ground and will literally spend hours doing so. Scatter a variety of foods — bits of raw vegetables, dog kibble, and other foods that won’t attract wasps — around the yard when you leave. Try hiding a few treats so your dog spends extra time looking for them.

If your dog scratches at the door and cries to come in, ignore him. Let him in only when he stops. If he begins to stress, correct him from inside the house. Do not go out.

Fences and Gates

A fence helps to keep your dog safely on your property and out of harm’s way. If your yard has a traditional fence (chain link or wood), be sure all gates latch correctly each time they are closed. Check the fence for holes or other openings. If there are gaps, place bricks or large stones in front of the holes, otherwise your pet might find a way out of the yard.

Because some homeowner’s associations do not allow traditional fences, a popular alternative is the electronic or “invisible” dog fence. Choosing this type of barrier has many benefits – it keeps the landscape tidy — as well as drawbacks — while the fence may keep your pet in, it doesn’t keep other animals or people out.

Maintaining the Yard

Maintain the yard’s cleanliness by regularly picking up after your dog. Some dogs can be trained to use one area for toileting. While the nitrogen in dog urine can be very hard on lawns, watering the area after the dog has urinated can help to minimize damage.

Keep your dog (and anyone else) off the lawn after any yard treatments — fertilizers, herbicides or insecticides – until the chemicals have dried completely.

Also, be careful of metal lawn edging. Metal edging invites great risk of your dog stepping on it and seriously cutting his paw.

Dog Houses

If your dog is kept outside, make sure he has shelter in which to get out of the weather. Dogs are more relaxed when they are covered and in familiar surroundings. Place the dog house next to your family’s house so that your dog feels like it is an extension of the larger “den.” Provide a blanket or other comfy bedding, and be sure he has access to fresh water.

Choose a house made of a naturally rot-resistant material such as plastic or red cedar, but do not use pressure-treated wood, which can contain arsenic. Use rust-proof galvanized nails and screws.

The house should be raised from the ground to insulate the dog from moisture and chills, and should be large enough for him to comfortably turn around but small enough to retain his body heat. In colder climates, your dog may appreciate a heated dog house, whether created by a dog house heater or a solar panel.

Training Your Dog Can Save Your Yard Too!

Training your dog correctly and regularly will keep him mentally stimulated and help to decrease his overall level of stress. Remember, you can correct your dog for digging, barking, scratching at the door, etc., only if you catch him in the act; correcting after the event is pointless.

A qualified dog behavioral therapist such as a Bark Busters trainer can help you discover the source of the reasons for your dog’s outdoor misbehaviors and can provide ways to correct the problems. Your dog and your family will be happier for it!

Liam Crowe is the CEO and grand master dog behavioral therapist of Bark Busters USA (www.BarkBusters.com), the world’s largest dog training company. Since inception, over 500,000 dogs have been trained worldwide using Bark Busters’ dog-friendly, natural methods, which focus on fostering a positive relationship between owner and dog to establish a lasting emotional bond based on respect and trust.

Find a Dog Trainer – http://www.barkbusters.com/page.cfm/ID/50/FetchATrainer
Dog Behavior Quiz – http://www.barkbusters.com/page.cfm/ID/3/BehaviorialQuiz

Adopt-a-Pet.com Encourages Department of Homeland Security to Consider Recruiting Shelter Dogs for Sniffer Duty, Offers Help

North America’s largest non-profit pet-adoption web service, Adopt-a-Pet.com, expressed hope today that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security would include qualified shelter dogs in its plan to add 3,000 new sniffer canines to its ranks, and offered to head up a nationwide search on behalf of the Department.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) July 23, 2010

North America’s largest non-profit pet-adoption web service, Adopt-a-Pet.com, expressed hope today that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security would include qualified shelter dogs in its plan to add 3,000 new sniffer canines to its ranks, and offered to head up a nationwide search on behalf of the Department.

Commenting on the Los Angeles Times story, which outlines the Department’s plans to purchase 3,000 additional sniffer dogs at an average cost of $4,535 each, Adopt-a-Pet.com executive director Abbie Moore said, “There are thousands of wonderful, energetic, and highly-trainable dogs in U.S. animal shelters who would be perfect for the Department of Homeland Security’s current needs. In addition to saving 3,000 worthy lives, recruiting shelter dogs makes fiscal sense and stands to save taxpayers well over $1 million. I can’t think of a downside to adopting versus buying these dogs. It’s the humane and prudent thing to do.”

The Department of Homeland security has expressed a preference for Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, German shepherd dogs, and Dutch shepherds. A search of the Adopt-a-Pet.com site alone reveals over 4,000 purebred adoptable dogs matching that criteria, and another 12,000 qualified mixed-breed shepherds and retrievers. Says Moore, “We at Adopt-a-Pet.com would be honored to assist the Department of Homeland Security in locating and screening potential canine candidates in animal shelters nationwide.”

Help my cat stopped using the litterbox!

Cat Sniffing LitterboxOne of the most frustrating behaviors for a cat owner is litterbox issues. If only cats could talk to tell us why they weren’t using their litterbox! There are so many reasons cats stop or won’t use their litterbox 100% of the time, it can take some detective work to figure out the reason or reasons. This blog article will give you a step-by-step process to figure out why and fix the problem. Myself and many cat owners I know have personally used these steps to solve litterbox problems with many cats, from young kittens to seniors. Litterbox issues are one of the main reasons cats are surrendered to shelters, but often it doesn’t have to be that way. To make these steps easier to understand, I’ll call your litterbox-avoiding cat Kitty.

PLEASE NOTE!!

This article was originally published in 2010. Since then, with two more years of using these steps, we tweaked them for slightly FASTER and easier (on both you and your cat) fixing of litterbox problems. So…

Click here for our current improved steps to help your cat litterbox issues!

Our original steps still do work! We’ve kept them here for archival purpose:

Cats can be sensitive and effected by your mood. They might not show it in a way you understand, but if you are stressed or unhappy when your are cleaning their litterbox, Kitty will pick up on that and may think that’s a reason to avoid the litterbox! Can you change your litterbox habits? Sometimes buying a pretty new litterbox and scented litter makes you feel better, and then “miraculously” your cat will start using it again! Also, as your Kitty gets back on track, don’t forget to lavishly praise Kitty each time they get it right, and reward him or her with their favorite treat.

Step 1.
The easiest and instant thing you can try is a second, brand new litterbox with new litter in a new location. If possible, remove any items they went on outside the box (carpets, etc), clean the area with an enzyme pet-cleaner, and keep them way from that area by covering it with a plant, coffe table, or best yet, close them out of that room.

Sometimes the new location is not where you want the litterbox, but you may have to start with it there, and try gradually (one foot a day) move it back to where you want it located. Many cats prefer scented (or unscented) clay litter, or even potting soil or sandy dirt. Nothing fancy! There is even a litter product called “Cat Attract” that is specially scented to attract cats to use it, and it worked instantly for my friends new foster cat who was peeing on all her dog’s beds. But I’ve had the same instant “fix” with regular clay clumping litter. I prefer the all-natural litters for the health of my cats, but some cats just don’t like them!

Step 2.
If the brand new box, litter & location didn’t fix your problem in one day, next you should take Kitty to your vet ASAP to rule out any medical causes. Often times cats will stop using their box when something is medically wrong and they aren’t feeling well. Once you’ve ruled out a medical problem, you can continue the detective work it takes to find out what is the problem, and then be able to fix it! Here are the steps most vets will recommend:

1. Your vet does a urinalysis to check for infection.

2. Your vet does for urine CULTURE for elevated bacteria.

3. While you’re waiting for the culture test results (they can take up to a week) confine Kitty in your bathroom with their litterbox, bed, food water. Kitty will likely not be happy being locked in the bathroom, but this step is essential, and it is only for  a week – by comparison, if you boarded your cat at the vet, they would be kept in a kennel smaller than most bathrooms.

4. Make sure the box is REALLY clean. Dump all the litter out, scrub it with a cat enzyme cleaner (not an ammonia product!), start with 100% fresh new litter.

If Kitty’s two test results both come back negative, and the vet says Kitty is healthy, then see if Step 3a or 3b applies to your cat…

Step 3a. Kitty did NOT use the box while confined (skip to 3b if he did)

Kitty may not like the type of litter, the depth of litter, or the style of litterbox. Try one of these changes for a couple of days, then try another one if that didn’t work. Yes, this takes a while, but there are so many options! In this order, try:

  1. A brand new litter box – as big as possible, uncovered, with the lowest sides possible.
  2. A different type of litter – unscented, clay, pine, clumping, etc.
  3. Use plain dirt. Potting soil is often irresistible.
  4. A different depth of litter (shallower, deeper).

Some cats have a painful association with going inside a box. So if all the above fails, cover the floor with newspaper-  every square inch! If Kitty was going in the tub, put the newspaper in there. Most cats will go in one spot on the floor. Gradually pick up the newspaper where the cat is not going (one or two sheets removed a day). When you are down to two sheets where Kitty is going regularly, take a sheet that has some urine on it and put it on top of a flat piece of cardboard box, or on a cookie tray.

Now there should be newspaper only on top of the box/tray, and none on the floor. If Kitty continues to go on the paper on the box/tray, try a brand new low-sided uncovered litterbox (so it won’t smell anything like litter) in the same spot, and put some urine scented newspaper in it. Then the next day, try putting a handful of a new kind of litter in it, that doesn’t smell anything like their old litter. So if they were using clay litter, try the pine dust or ground up corn litter. Often with baby steps you can have them graduate back up to a real litterbox with litter, but sometimes you may have to stick to newspaper or dirt. Its better than your laundry basket! If at any point during the re-introduction process they revert to going on the uncovered floor, do not panic. An accident or two may happen. But if it’s more than once or twice, you should take a few steps back and proceed more slowly. If the cat was really traumatized, it can take weeks. But a few weeks in a bathroom, while not fun, is worth the chance of getting your cat back to using his litterbox (and it’s a lot nicer than returning your cat to the shelter).

Step 3b. Kitty DID use the box while confined

  • Location issue. If that is not where you had the litterboxes before, try letting the cat out and leaving the box in the bathroom. If they continue to use the box there, that means they did not like the other non-bathroom locations. If you don’t want the box in the bathroom, try a 2nd box in other new locations (not the old location) until they start using the 2nd box, then take up the bathroom box.
  • Stress. He could be upset over a change in his routine, by someone or something new in the house, or something you can’t figure out! Whatever the cause, you can try these three stress-fixers:
    1. Daily dose of the homeopathic remedy Rescue Remedy, available in most health food stores (it’s for people too) and some pet stores. Effects are immediate.
    2. A spray on or plugin that has helped many litterbox-avoiding cats is Feliway www.feliway.com
    3. Your vet can prescribe Kitty the cat version of prozac while you “retrain” them to use the box. This generally takes a couple of weeks to take full effect.
  • Stress over your absence. If he only does it while you are gone, it might be your absence that is causing the stress. The cat may need bathroom time (close him in the bathroom with a litter box, food, water and a bed) even if you only go out for five minutes. Also try the remedies in the above ‘stress’ bullet point above.
  • Cleanliness. Your old litterbox may not have been kept clean enough for him. Continue to keep the box super clean, with weekly scrubbing.What are you cleaning up with?  If the old smell is not removed, he may continue to go on that spot. There are articles and articles on getting cat urine smell out of household items – a lot of finding one that works for your cat is trial and error. We’ve hear that a biological laundry detergent with water soaking the area for 24 hours and then flushing it can remove it. With carpets, often the only solution is to remove them. Clean all the areas where your cat has gone and then rub a soft cloth over his cheeks, then rub the cloth where he went to the bathroom. This spread the cat’s pheromones and scent onto that surface, and should stop your cat from feeling the need to put them there himself.
  • Smell. There may have been something the cat smelled it was trying to mark or cover up. If the cat is urinating in a particular place it could be new smells it feels must be covered up, such as a garbage bin, a door leading to the outside, laundry, a new bag of groceries, even a new family moving in next door whose smells are now coming into your home. If this is the case, you can either wait it out, confining the cat to a smaller room where the urinating will not be as much of a problem (a bathroom), or medication from your vet might help until he gets used to the change (a few months) or is confident his old routine is established.
  • Territory. Does Kitty go on the door, or the rug by the door?  It could be territorial marking. Try blocking off where Kitty can see/hear/smell any other cats or dogs outside.

Step 4.
If you’ve tried the first 3 steps without success

With patience, deductive powers and our suggestions, we hope your cat will be using his litterbox very soon!
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