Is your cat thinking outside the litter box?

More and more, people are keeping their cats safe by making them indoor-only cats. Precious kitty lives are saved from getting hit by cars, being attacked by other animals and becoming lost simply by keeping them inside. You’re also saving countless birds and other small animals when your cat’s prey is merely a wand toy.

But let’s face it, cleaning the litter box is no fun. And if your cat is “thinking outside the box,” it’s even worse. The No.

1 reason people surrender cats is because of litter box issues. The good news is, there’s help! First, figure out why your cat isn’t using the litter box. There can be a variety of reasons: • Medical problems.

Your cat’s inappropriate urination may be their way of letting you know they aren’t feeling well. Urinary tract inflammation or infections are serious conditions that may result in death if not treated in a timely manner. The only way to find out if your cat has a medical issue is to take them to your veterinarian.

• A dirty litter box. Cats are like us; they like a clean bathroom. Their noses are far more sensitive than ours and they’re fastidious creatures.

Most cats prefer clumping, unscented litter scooped twice a day. The golden rule is one litter box per cat plus one. If you’re using non-clumping litter, the box should be completely emptied at least every other day.

Boxes should be washed with unscented soap every three to four weeks. Yes, this is the icky part of cat care but I promise it’ll g.