Litter box problems are the number one reason cats are surrendered to shelters, and the saddest part is that most cases are fixable in a weekend. A cat who avoids the box is communicating, not misbehaving. Run down this checklist before assuming the worst.

The five fixes

One: scoop daily — a cat’s nose is fourteen times more sensitive than yours. Two: follow the n-plus-one rule, one box per cat plus one spare, on different floors if you can. Three: rethink the location; boxes next to noisy laundry machines or in dead-end corners make cats feel trapped. Four: go unscented — perfumed litter pleases humans, not cats. Five: size up; the box should be one and a half times your cat’s body length.

When to call the vet

If a reliable cat suddenly stops using the box, rule out medical causes first — urinary issues are common, painful and treatable. A same-week vet visit beats weeks of frustration for both of you. One exception: a cat who is straining with little or nothing coming out, crying in the box, or making trip after trip — especially a male cat — may have a urinary blockage. A blocked cat can be in real danger within a day: that one is a go-today emergency, not a book-an-appointment problem.

A bigger uncovered box, a quiet corner and unscented clumping litter solve the majority of cases. Sometimes the cheapest fix really is the answer.