Cat Behavior Help: Litter Box Avoidance, Aggression & Scratching

From General Guidance to an Individual Behavior Plan

Litter box avoidance, aggression and scratching can have different causes, even when two cats appear to show the same behavior. Observe the setting, timing and changes in your household. Mieshelle Nagelschneider’s The Cat Whisperer book and fundamentals provide educational context; The Cat Behavior Clinic provides current consultation information.

Cat Behavior Questions and Answers

What should I do if my cat avoids the litter box?

Start with a veterinary assessment, especially when the change is new or accompanied by discomfort. After medical causes are considered, review cleanliness, box access, litter preferences and possible conflict with other cats. Record when and where accidents happen so a behavior consultation can address the pattern without punishment.

What can help when cats in the same home are aggressive toward each other?

Do not force the cats together or let them fight it out. Give them safe separate spaces and separate resources while you seek guidance on a gradual plan. Sudden behavior changes or injuries need veterinary attention. Repeated chasing, guarding or fighting may require an individualized behavior assessment.

How can I redirect scratching away from furniture?

Place sturdy scratching posts or pads near the furniture your cat uses and try textures and orientations your cat prefers. Reward scratching on those alternatives and protect the furniture while the new habit develops. Avoid punishment and never force a cat’s paws against a scratching surface.

Further reading: ASPCA guidance on litter box problems, aggression between household cats and scratching.