A cat owner’s biggest fear, however is the day the cat decides not to use the litter box. Cat urine can destroy carpets and wood floors, as well as peace of mind in the household. Cat feces emits a horrible odor and causes stains to the surfaces cats have been known to use such as beds, closets, laundry baskets, sinks, bathtubs, etc., when they stop using their litter boxes. Alternatively called inappropriate elimination, house soiling or non-use of the litter box, it’s a universal and often misunderstood condition that is a problem with nearly 13 percent of all domestic cats. It is one of the leading reasons cats are taken to shelters or, even worse, are abandoned. As a cat owner with the problem, you are not alone! Your veterinarian knows about problem cats. More often than not, the diagnosis is your cat is healthy, but has a behavioral problem. Unfortunately, behavioral problems cannot be cured with pills, shots or surgery, but with a behavioral modification product such as Litter Magnet™. A healthy cat may stop using a litter box for a variety of reasons and once it does, it is a bad habit Litter Magnet™ can help break. Completely safe for all cats, Litter Magnet™ is an all natural solution to encourage litter box use. Litter Magnet™ takes advantage of a cat’s superior sense of smell. Its rich, earthy fragrance attracts the “problem cat” to the litter box as if it were freshly tilled earth, a favorite “bathroom” for cats when given the opportunity. Use of the following LM Solutions and Litter Magnet™ in the litter box will modify your cat’s behavior and help turn your “problem cat” back into a loving cat. How to Use Litter Magnet™ 1. Clean everything, including the existing litter box, and any spots where the cat has urinated or defecated. A cat’s sense of smell is many times better than yours and it will likely re-soil the area if it is not cleaned. If you are unsure of the “spots” use a black light in a darkened room to highlight soiled areas. Use an enzymatic cleaner; your veterinarian can recommend one. Never use ammonia based cleaners, as their urine-like sent may actually encourage the cat to return. 2. Once you have neutralized the all the “spots” you can concentrate on getting your cat back to the box. The size of the litter box, the type of litter you put in it, and using the Litter Magnet™ are keys to success in correcting the problem. • Make sure the litter box is large enough for the cat to turn around; it is better for the litter box to be too large than too small. Replace the box if it is too small or if it is permeated with an offensive odor. Remove the hood; hoods trap odors in the bod and may make it offensive to the cat. • Refill the box with two to three inches of a medium grain, clumping litter. Scoop Away, or PETsMART and PETCO house brands are ideal. Clumping litter has a more ideal texture than conventional clay litters or litters made of paper, corn, wheat, silica or pine. Switch to an unscented, clumping litter and add Litter Magnet™ • DO NOT USE SCENTED LITTERS! Perfumes or other scents will interfere with the effectiveness of Litter Magnet™ • Mix one cup of Litter Magnet™ to 20 pounds of litter. The all natural scent of Litter Magnet™ lures the cat to the freshened litter box. The clean and more desirable substrate will encourage use. 3. Keep the litter box clean, removing feces and urine clumps daily. Add an additional 1/8 to 1/4 cup of Litter Magnet™ with each cleaning. As the cat begins using the litter box on a regular basis, you may clean it less often, but don’t let more than three days pass. Add a proportional amount of Litter Magnet™ to the litter with every cleaning. Scoop the litter box daily and add a tablespoon or more of Litter Magnet™ with every cleaning. 4. Do not hide the litter box. Place the litter box in a room that has easy access and where the scent of Litter Magnet™ can attract the cat. Place the box in a room where the cat will not be disturbed or “chased away” by loud noises or vibrations from furnaces or household appliances. Also avoid ares in which the cat will be annoyed by small children or other pets. Consider having at least one litter box on each floor in your house, all filled with clumping litter and Litter Magnet™. If you have a multi-cat household, you should have at least one litter box per cat, using Litter Magnet™ in all of them, even if only one cat has the problem. 5. Stress can also be a factor in litter box aversion. Some cats are just more prone to stress and are more timid than others. A content cat is less likely to have behavioral problems. Along with using Litter Magnet™ there are several things you can do to keep your cat happy. Make the litter box easy to find. Have at least one litter box per cat in the house. • Create a cat friendly environment with an elevated cat condo, warm beds and hiding places. • Play with your cat daily. • Leave toys out whenever you are not at home. • Make sure your cat has plenty of water and food. 6. Litter Magnet™ is especially good for training kittens. Naturally curious, kittens are drawn to the litter box and the scent of Litter Magnet™. Litter Magnet™ will help kittens form good litter box habits from the very start. • If a kitten is eliminating just outside the litter box, it may be because it can’t get in the box. Build a “ramp” out of sturdy cardboard to give the kitten easy access. Once the kitten is large enough, remove the ramp. A ramp may also be a good idea for an older, less mobile cat. • Kittens have a natural elimination reflex after a meal. Knowing this, place your new kitten in the litter box after it eats. It will get the idea and form good litter box habits. continued on reverse side
