Oh boy, it was a doozy of a day. So, I woke up this morning, same old routine, and went to check on my cat, Mittens. Usually, she’s pretty regular with her litter box habits, you know? But today, something was off. I scooped the litter box like I always do, but it was…empty. Like, completely untouched. I thought, “Hmm, that’s weird,” but didn’t think too much of it at first. Cats can be quirky, right?
As the day went on, I kept an eye on Mittens. She was acting a little strange, a bit more restless than usual. I tried to play with her, thinking maybe she was just bored, but she wasn’t really into it. Still, no sign of her using the litter box. By lunchtime, I was starting to get a bit worried. I mean, it had been almost 12 hours, and nothing.
I decided to take a closer look at the litter box situation. I’m usually pretty good about keeping it clean, scooping it daily and changing the litter weekly. I use that clumping kind, and it’s usually pretty good. But today, I thought, “Maybe I should try something different.” So, I completely emptied the box, scrubbed it down, and put in fresh litter. I even sprinkled some of that cat attractant stuff on top, hoping it would entice her.
While I was doing all this, I also checked the location of the litter box. It’s in the laundry room, which is usually pretty quiet and away from the main hustle and bustle of the house. But we had some friends over last night, and they were hanging out in the living room, which is right next to the laundry room. Maybe the noise and commotion spooked her? So, I decided to move the litter box to the spare bathroom, a place she’s used to and feels comfortable in.
- Monitoring: I kept a close watch on Mittens throughout the afternoon and evening. I offered her food and water, which she ate and drank normally, so that was a good sign. But still, no litter box action.
- Playtime: I tried to engage her in play again, using her favorite toys. I even brought out the laser pointer, which she usually goes crazy for. She seemed a bit more interested this time, but still not her usual playful self.
- Observation: I noticed she was going to the litter box, sniffing around, but not actually using it. It was like she wanted to, but something was holding her back.
By nighttime, it had been a full 24 hours since she last used the litter box. I was really starting to freak out. I called my vet, but it was after hours, and I got the answering machine. Great, just great.
An unexpected success?
Then, just as I was about to call it a night and try again in the morning, I heard it – the sweet, sweet sound of scratching in the litter box. I rushed to the spare bathroom, and there she was, doing her business! I was so relieved, I almost cried. After she was done, she seemed so much more relaxed, like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She even came over to me for some cuddles, which she usually only does when she’s in a super good mood. Finally, I successfully made her use it!
I’m still not sure exactly what caused the issue. Maybe it was the combination of a dirty litter box, the noise from our guests, or maybe it was a sign of her having a problem with health. I’ll have to keep a close eye on her in the next few days to see if it happens again. But for now, I’m just glad she’s back to her regular routine. It’s amazing how much we worry about our furry friends, isn’t it? They’re like our babies. Anyway, I’m off to give Mittens some extra love and attention. She deserves it after today’s ordeal!