There are two main categories of causes for a cat litter box problem: physical problems or behavioral issues. If your cat is experiencing difficulty, the first thing you should do is have your veterinarian rule out physical causes.

If your cat learns to link a bad experience with the litter box, she may start to resent the box. If this happens often enough, she may stop using the box altogether. You should be aware that the problem may have a physical cause at the root.

Here are four good reasons your cat won't use the box. :

• Pain While Urinating - If your cat experiences pain while urinating, she will create a bad association with the box. Your cat can't hold it in forever, so she ends up urinating on the dining room rug. Be aware that until you remove the odor completely from that spot, your cat may return there again and again.
  
  

• Painful Bowel Movements - Obviously a similar situation applies. For example, if your cat is constipated and it causes her pain to have a bowel movement, she will associate pain with the litter box. When she finally does work things out, so to speak, it may be on the living room floor instead of the box.
  
  

• Painful Joints and Muscles - If your cat can't get in and out of the litter box without experiencing pain, she won't want to use it. If there is anything causing her pain while squatting, or getting in and out of the box, it could mean trouble. Injuries, arthritis, or some other painful joint condition could create a cat litter box problem.
  
  

• Problems With Motion - Perhaps your cat has difficulty climbing up into the litter box. Older cats, or cats who are diseased or have been injured often have limited movement, and aren't able to use the box.

It's not true that your cat just doesn't want to use the box to annoy you, there is some reason, and it could be physical. Your vet will help you determine if a physical cause is your cat's problem. Once you determine the source of the problem is pain, then your vet can come up with a treatment plan. The treatments will vary for depending upon the underlying cause. Some retraining for your cat will probably be required. Just make sure to exercise a lot of patience while your cat readjusts.

If your cat has a limited mobility problem, there may be some things you can do to help that, in addition to veterinary care. In any case, make it as easy on your cat as possible. A low litter box that your cat doesn't have to step too high into is a good start. A large box that your cat can easily move around in is another idea.

Once the physical cause of a cat litter box problem is identified by your vet, you can work together to help your cat get better. Remember to address any issue that causes your cat to associate an unpleasant experience with the box as soon as possible. Catching these problems early on makes them much easier to deal with.