Litter box issues can make or break a pet parent/cat relationship.
In fact, some say inappropriate elimination is the number one reason cats are relinquished to shelters.
That said, litter boxes are not always the best option for every cat. While there are litter box best practices every cat owner should keep in mind, not to mention a variety of reasons why your cat may be eliminating outside of the litter box, if you’re at your wit’s end, you may want to consider providing pee pads.
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Photo courtesy Fifth World Art
Pee pads, also known as training pads or puppy pads, are disposable, plastic-backed, absorbent pads that are used as a place for pets to eliminate while in the house. Some folks use them while housebreaking a dog, others keep pee pads out around their home in case of an accident.
Many love how convenient they are, since they can be easy to clean up: simply fold and throw in the trash. Plus, pee pads have a scent that also attracts cats, which makes pee pads a great option for felines, too.
But how do you know if a pee pad is right for your cat? Here are some things to consider:
Pee pads have become a popular option in the cerebellar hypoplasia cat community for young, uncoordinated kittens and cat who have severe CH. Often kittens and cats with severe CH have considerable mobility issues, which can limit their ability to get into a litter box – if they can even get into one – in time.
If you face one of these challenges, there may be other solutions, too. For example, there are many litter box types that may better suit your cat than the one you’re currently using. Other pet parents may want to consider diapering their cat.
If neither of those options work for you and your cat, you may want to give pee pads a try.
In fact, Jillybean’s pet parent Lisa, says that CH cats are highly adoptable especially if they are trained to use the litter box or pee pad. The ones who are not trained are a little harder to place, but still find homes, she says.
Pee pads can also be a great solution for cats who face other challenges like medical or behavioral issues.
Older cats, such as those with arthritis, may prefer to use pee pads since it may be difficult for them to get to – not to mention climb in and out of – a litter box. Pee pads can also come in handy if a cat’s mobility is limited after a surgery.
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Photo courtesy Fifth World Art
Plus, if your cat has suddenly decided that her favorite place to go to the bathroom is now behind your favorite plant, consider laying a pee pad down in that spot while you figure out what’s going on. While you’ll certainly want to get to the root of the behavior to help her, providing pee pads may provide a temporary solution.
Along those lines, if your cat starts to spray or mark around your home, you can tape pee pads to your wall (etc.) for easy clean-up until he is neutered.
Lastly, if your cat is prone to litter box “misses,” you may want to consider placing a large pee pad under your cat’s litter box to catch those misses.
And here’s one final tip: If you’ve found your cat had an accident, consider looking into a product like Nature’s Miracle. It can help eliminate the smell of cat urine from hardwood and carpet.
If you think pee pads sound like a great option for your cat, stay tuned! In my next post I’ll provide a few tips on how to train your cat to use a pee pad.
Does your cat use a pee pad or do you think your cat could benefit from using a pee pad? Please share in the comments!
Image may be NSFW.
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Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
