The main concern of many owners of indoor cats is that their cats have stopped using their litter boxes. This is not just aggravating, but it can be very costly as trips to the vet and cleaning expenses add up quickly.

If your cat is not using his litter box, he is trying to tell you that something is wrong. It's up to us as our pet's caretakers to figure out what the problem is and then fix it! Let's look into some of the common reasons cats stop using their litter boxes.

Dirty Cat Litter Box. Indoor cats are really particular in terms of having a clean litter box. If you haven't been vigilant about keeping your cat's litter box nice and clean, then you can definitely expect litter box problems from your cat. In fact, we've probably all opted at least one time or another to go to the bathroom ourselves in the great outdoors instead of going in a filthy outhouse or gas station bathroom. It's no different for your cat.

If the box is dirty, then you'll need to thoroughly clean it along with the area around it. Empty out all the dirty litter, wash the box using a cleaning solution such as diluted bleach, and refill it with new litter. Use Nature's Miracle, an enzyme that kills odors, to wash the area around the cat litter box, including the walls. A black light will reveal where the stains are. Clean and/or replace any litter box rugs or mats you may keep outside the box.

Scoop out the litter at least once or twice daily, and change out the cat litter - taking care to completely clean the cat litter box - at least once per month.

Illness. Indoor cats frequently develop kidney and urinary tract infections. These can be painful and lead them to go outside the cat litter box. It's difficult to recognize if a cat is sick because cats are good at hiding their symptoms. So if you in the very least bit suspect your cat may be ill, please seek immediate attention from your veterinarian! Similar to humans, the longer an issue goes undetected and untreated, the more difficult it will become to treat.

One way to help prevent your cat from developing urinary complications in the first place is to ensure your cat gets drinks enough water on a daily basis. Feeding your cat high quality canned food with high water content and supplying your cat with a fountain are two of the simplest ways to make certain your cat's water intake is adequate.

Location: Cats need peace and quiet when they use their litter boxes. Maybe the cat litter box is close to an appliance which makes intermittent noises, or maybe your cat needs to walk past a grumpy old dog. See this from your cat's perspective and try to choose a better spot. Be sure your cat has free access to the location at all times (i.e., if it's in the basement, be sure that the basement door is always open). Also, ensure the litter box is nowhere near your cat's eating area.

Types of Litter and/or Cat Litter Box: If you are using scented litter, immediately switch to unscented cat litter. Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat is a great choice, as well as ScoopAway's unscented clumping cat litter. Also, there are other sorts of litter on the market, such as corn or pine based cat litters. Not all cats like these other forms of litter so if in doubt, go with clay.

Covered cat litter boxes trap odors and dust, and a dusty environment can lead to respiratory troubles. Boxes that are just too small are tough for cats to use, and self-cleaning boxes can fail to function properly and startle your cat. If any of these issues apply to your situation, switch to a roomier, uncovered litter box.

Going Forward Since we all know that bad habits are hard to break, it's much better to keep them from developing in the first place. Here are seven things you can do to prevent future litter box problems: 1) Keep the litter box clean at all times. 2) Keep an extra litter box. The rule of thumb is one box per cat plus one. 3) To help prevent urinary illnesses, ensure your cat gets enough water by feeding canned food and supplying a fountain. Get your cat regular check-ups with your veterinarian. 4) Use scent-free litter. 5) Use a large, uncovered litter box. 6) Look for a quiet spot for the cat litter box that is nowhere near your cat's eating area. 7) Praise your indoor cats for using the box! Establish a code word, such as "box" and use it with your cat when you praise him so he learns the word. Then you can remind him if troubles do arise at some point down the road.