We're not sure that cats miss the litter box more in the winter, but we do seem to hear about the problems more at this time of year.
While diseases such as diabetes (which increases urine production) often factor into litter box problems, when the weather is cold, it's a cat's arthritis that may be worsened. Veterinarians know that arthritis is underdiagnosed in cats, largely because owners write off the symptoms as "just old age." And on the human side, we suspect that when the weather turns colder and houses close up for warmth, every little thing starts to annoy us -- like the smell of the litter box, or (worse) the smell of a cat who's not using the litter box at all.
No matter what, though: Don't blame the cat for the problem. Put your detective hat on and get to problem-solving, with the help of your veterinarian. And don't delay: The failure to use a litter box is the top behavior complaint of cat lovers, sending countless cats to shelters every year.
The first step in solving such a problem is to make sure it's not a medical condition -- and that means a trip to your veterinarian for a complete workup. You cannot hope to get your cat using the box again until any health issues have been resolved. Even old-age stiffness can be treated or accommodated, with your veterinarian's help.
If your cat checks out fine, you need to start working to make sure that everything about the box is to your cat's liking. The second rule of solving a litter box problem: If the cat isn't happy, no one will be happy. Here's what to look for.
-- Cleanliness. Cats are fastidious animals, and if the litter box is dirty, they'll look elsewhere for a place to go. Clean the box frequently -- twice a day at least -- and make sure it's completely scrubbed clean and aired out on a weekly basis. Having an additional litter box may help, too. (Multiple litter boxes are recommended for multicat households, since many cats simply will not share.)
-- Box type and filler. Many choices people make to suit their own tastes conflict with the cat's sense of what's agreeable. A covered box may seem more pleasing to you, but your cat may think it's pretty rank inside or scary. Likewise, scented litters may make you think the box smells fine, but your cat may disagree -- not only is the box dirty, he reasons, but it also has this extra "clean" odor he can't abide. Start with the basics: a large box with unscented, clumping-style litter.
-- Location. Your cat's box should be away from his food and water, in a place he can get to easily and feel safe in. Consider a location from a cat's point of view: Choose a quiet spot where he can see what's coming at him. A cat doesn't want any surprises while he's in the box.
Make the area where your cat has had mistakes less attractive by cleaning it thoroughly with a pet-odor neutralizer (available from pet-supply retailers). Discourage reuse by covering the area with foil, plastic sheeting or plastic carpet runners with the points up.
If changing things around doesn't clear up the problem in a healthy cat, you may need to retrain him by keeping your pet in a small area such as a guest bathroom for a couple of weeks.
Make sure the area you choose has no good options besides the litter box -- no carpet, no pile of dirty laundry. Block off the bathtub or keep an inch of water in it to discourage its use as a place to go. After your cat is reliably using the litter box, let him slowly expand his territory again. As long as you keep up your end of the bargain and keep the litter box clean and safe, you have a good chance the good behavior will become permanent.
If you just can't seem to get the problem resolved, ask your veterinarian for a referral to a veterinary behaviorist. These veterinarians are skilled in behavioral problem-solving and are able to prescribe medications that may make the difference during the retraining period.
SIDEBAR
New from the Pet Connection team
"The Ultimate Bird Lover" continues the tradition of its predecessors, combining true stories and stunning full-color photography from gifted contributors with "Must Know" information from the top experts in bird care and birding. Unlike the previous books, "Bird Lover" isn't just about pets: People who appreciate wild birds will love it, too.
You can download a free sampler of any of the "Ultimate" pet books at PetConnection.com.
Q&A
First-aid classes highly recommended
Q: I saw Dr. Becker on "The Dr. Oz Show" demonstrating CPR for dogs and cats. Is that something pet lovers need to know? I mean, really, I don't think I want to put my mouth over my dog's nose. But I guess I would if I had to. Are there classes in this? -- F.P., via e-mail
A: Yes, there are classes you can take in CPR and first aid. The American Red Cross offers them, and some veterinarians also provide basic first-aid training as part of their practices.
As for the rest of your questions, I reached out to our Pet Connection ER guru, Dr. Tony Johnson of the Purdue University School of Veterinarian Medicine.
"I have had many pet owners tell me that they have performed 'mouth to snout' resuscitation on their pets while en route to the hospital. Whether they have really saved their pet's life or just caused their pet to think, 'Dude, what are you doing?' is still open for debate," he writes. "The anatomical differences between people and pets makes actual CPR difficult -- it is almost impossible to form a tight seal over their mouth and nose; air blown in the nose usually just comes out the mouth rather than going down into the lungs.
"Also, many pet owners' expectation of survival after CPR has been unrealistically set too high by TV -- everyone seems to be OK after CPR when a happy ending is called for in the script," continues Dr. Johnson. "That's rarely the case in true life, and even less so with pets."
So does that mean you shouldn't bother to learn more about emergency care? That's not Dr. Johnson's opinion at all. Your pet will have a better chance at survival in an emergency the more you know about what to do, after all. (And the "what to do" should include knowing the location, directions to and phone number of your nearest emergency-care veterinary clinic.)
"Knowing CPR is fine," says Dr. Johnson, "but more general first-aid information is even better to know. I encourage pet owners to take a basic first-aid course, or brush up on pet first aid once they know it through available books and good Web sites. Knowing how to stop bleeding, treat choking, prevent hypothermia and safely transport a pet to the hospital are essential to know -- and may make a life or death difference for your pet one day."
So there you have it! -- Dr. Marty Becker
(Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.)
THE BUZZ
Exercise is for the dogs
-- Dogs are the key to exercise motivation. A survey from the United Kingdom found that 3,000 dog owners spent an average of eight hours and 11 minutes weekly exercising their pets. The survey also looked at 2,000 pet-less people and found their average weekly exercise at only one hour and 20 minutes. Even more, 86 percent of pet owners said they enjoyed walking their dogs. Dog owners were also less likely to come up with excuses not to exercise than those who don't own dogs. Only 16 percent of people said they enjoyed working out in the gym.
-- The world record for the most tennis balls held in the mouth of a dog is five, a record held by Augie, a golden retriever from Dallas who successfully gathered and held five regulation-sized tennis balls.
-- A horse's whinny not only provides information on sex, height and weight, but also plays an important social role. According to a study in the journal Animal Cognition, the whinny is more important than visual cues to horses. Whinnies vary in frequency according to sex, with stallions having lower-pitched frequencies, and mares and geldings having a higher frequency. Horses were also able to identify the social status of the horse neighing, whether or not the study horse knew the neighing horse. Horses recognize their equine friends as long as they are within hearing distance.
-- Egyptians revered cats for their relation to their cat goddess, Bastet. Whenever a cat would die, ancient Egyptians were said to shave their eyebrows in mourning. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon
ABOUT PET CONNECTION
Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of several best-selling pet-care books.
On PetConnection.com there's more information on pets and their care, reviews of products, books and more. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.
THE SCOOP
Little dogs can have big problems
While no one can say how many small dogs there are, any casual observer will notice shoe-button eyes peering out from more shoulder bags these days.
Small breeds such as Yorkshire terriers have boomed in popularity, according to purebred dog registries. But that doesn't take into account popular mixes such as Yorkipoos (Yorkie-poodle crosses) and Maltipoos (Maltese-poodle crosses). And Chihuahuas have become so overly popular that the best place to adopt one is at a shelter!
But small dogs require special care. The list of things that can go wrong with tiny dogs is a long one, and veterinarians see it all: Defective knees, hips and shoulders. Heart and liver problems. Collapsing cartilage in the neck. Troublesome teeth. Overall fragility, including easily broken bones.
Some problems can be prevented through ethical breeding practices such as screening for genetic defects or with more careful handling to prevent injury. But many medical issues just come with being little.
The most vulnerable of these dogs are the smallest ones. Health problems don't stop the unscrupulous from breeding, but they should stop dog owners from buying. Pet lovers will do best by avoiding those who sell the tiniest of the tiny, or sell any small dog too young. Reputable breeders usually won't let small-breed puppies go until they're 12 weeks old, since younger puppies can die if not fed every four hours.
Tiny dogs can also be hard to house-train, since they have small bladders and need to go outside more often.
That doesn't mean they're not wonderful pets -- they are! -- but it does mean that owning a small dog means learning about their special needs so they can stay healthy and happy. -- Dr. Marty Becker
BY THE NUMBERS
People first, but not by much
If you had to choose only one companion if stranded on a deserted island, what would it be? According to a survey of pet lovers, the highest number would choose a person over a particular kind of pet -- but if you tally all pets together, people lose. The results:
Human 47 percent
Dog 40 percent
Cat 10 percent
Other 2 percent
None 1 percent
Source: American Animal Hospital Association
ON GOOD BEHAVIOR
Cats need more variety
Cats may become fixated on certain food shapes and textures, not accepting anything unfamiliar as food. When cats eat only certain textures and tastes of food, they'll suffer if put on special diets or if a favorite brand becomes unavailable. And good luck trying to trick the food-fixated cat by hiding pills!
Avoid the problem by feeding kittens and cats a variety of foods. Introduce new foods by hand when the kitten or cat is very hungry. Mix a small amount of new food in with favorites to encourage acceptance.
Feed kittens and cats a wide selection of foods in various flavors, sizes, textures and shapes. Vary treats and flavors to keep your feline flexible in the food department.
(Animal behavior experts Susan and Dr. Rolan Tripp are the authors of "On Good Behavior." For more information, visit their Web site at AnimalBehavior.net.)
Pet Connection is produced by a team of team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of several best-selling pet-care books. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper, by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.