Request: Cat Stopped Using Litter Box
Archived on 09/29/2009
My cat is three years old and just started a new habit now. He likes to poop next to the litter box instead of inside it. I have not changed litter or my litter box scooping habits (once a day scooping and once a week it is completely cleaned out with Clorox wipes and water). So I don't know what his deal is. Any ideas?
Annoyed with my cat from Omaha, NE
Feedback:
RE: Cat Stopped Using Litter Box
Please consider making this cat an outside cat. Our Siamese had been urinating in the house for awhile before we found it. He would spray the door facings outside of each bedroom and the carpet soaked it up and nobody could see it. That particular house was old and had very old nasty carpet so we thought that was the source of the smell.
When we began ripping up the carpet we discovered what had been happening. We loved that cat and didn't want to lose him so he just had to live outside. He had always been an in and out cat anyway. We set his living quarters up in the garage and he adjusted fine. He seemed (to us) to have no reason for doing what he did, just like your cat. I think you can't always figure it out. (11/11/2008)
By Glenn'sMom
RE: Cat Stopped Using Litter Box
When my one cat just out of the blue started pooping outside the litter box and after making sure he was healthy I just put down a second box. Sure enough, he just didn't want to do both in one place. Made cleaning the litter easier too. (11/11/2008)
By mamamh
RE: Cat Stopped Using Litter Box
I have the same problem, but my cat will go to the bath room right in front of me on the floor. I think that it is a sign that she wants me to clean her litter. So I do and than she is good for the time being and she will do it again the next time it is not up to her standards, but hope did helps. cat lover 1
(11/12/2008)
By
RE: Cat Stopped Using Litter Box
First of all have there been any changes in your life? Everything that happens to you happens to your pets too. Maybe use baking soda to clean and sanitize your cat box instead of Clorox wipes, the lingering smell might be to strong for her sensitive nose. Put a food dish on one side of her box and a water dish on the other side. Spend more time with her if possible, maybe she likes the attention (however) you give her when she does this. Lastly my cat did this and turned out he had a bladder infection. So maybe a trip to the vet would be in order. Remember she is not doing this to make life hard for you. (11/13/2008)
By Jann W.
RE: Cat Stopped Using Litter Box
I agree with everyone and one more thing the Clorox wipes are not good to use on the plastic cat boxes the scent stays in the plastic after awhile. I use baking soda to wash mine out with and it comes out just as clean. Throw that cat box out and get you a new one and see what happens just remember to clean it with baking soda and take your cat to the vet he might have a urinary infection. Good luck. (11/18/2008)
By candleglows
RE: Cat Stopped Using Litter Box
I have found that my cat will poop on the floor if she feels she's been overlooked or is not getting enough attention. I was going through some tough times and for some reason I did not want to pet my cat or show her any affection. She exhibited this behavior from time to time. Now that I'm feeling better she no longer poops on the floor. (02/09/2009)
By Kathy
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Request: Cat Stopped Using Litter Box
Archived on 11/11/2008
Male 8 year old cat peeing everywhere but the litter box. He has been fixed, and is a single cat. There is one clean littler box. It has been 5 months since the last time he peed in his litter box. He has been peeing on the carpet/tile for 2+ years. I took him to the vet, and he does have life long crystals in his urine. I have tried special vet food to correct and help, but it didn't work. I'm ready too take him in, too give him up.
He is ruining our new home and it smells really bad. Plus he pees on anything left on the floor in the bathroom. Its all confined to the bathroom (where his box is), its the only place away from a toddler. I tried removing the scent with unprofessional cleaners/lemon scents/foil and tried different litter/litter boxes. I don't know what to do.
Kelly from Aurora, CO
Answers:
RE: Cat Stopped Using Litter Box
I agree with everyone replying here to get to a vet ASAP, a urinary tract problem can be serious for the poor little guy. But if you are worried about the expense of the vet visit, try calling your local humane society or animal shelter and see what free alternatives they may be able to offer.
As for vet visits, when we have taken our cat the vet has given us tons of free meds in sample sizes including treatments for worms, hairballs and fleas which saved us a lot of money. I hope things work out for you. (06/02/2008)
By sbb1
RE: Cat Stopped Using Litter Box
Go to Walmart or any pet store & buy the litter or a urinary strips that are made to alert you to a bladder infection. You can sprinkle some of the litter or press the strip onto the spot where he's just peed. This will give you an idea if he has a bladder infection.
But if it were me, I'd take him straight to the vet & have him given a test to see if he has a bladder infection or if his urethra is partially blocked. My cat started peeing on plastic bags that were left on the floor (after shopping). We eventually found out its because he was sick & needed an operation.
* Cats are low on the "Perditior/Prey" totem pole, so to speak... This means that they VERY RARELY show that they are hurt or not feeling well. For example: A dog will most likely show that he is hurting because he is a predator & not a prey animal, but a cat is BOTH predator AND prey, so they MIGHT show that they are hurt, while a Bunny will NEVER show he is hurt because a rabbit is ONLY a Prey animal.
Because in the wild if you are a prey animal & show you are hurt, you will be the VERY FIRST animal that is hunted! My cat was DYING & he didn't let on one bit (& he was in SEVERE PAIN!) I only knew he MIGHT be sick because I knew he wasn't eating (& he's usually a real "pig"!).
SO thankfully, we got him into the vet on time to find out his intestines were blocked. (by something he ate) and after over $800 spent on an operation to save his life, he's all better now!
Your cat is either sick or totally stressed out... At least, that's my take on your situation. Borrow the money if you have to (like I did) & get him to the vet for a check-up... (Call around & get an estimate, as different vets cost more or less to look at your pet) You may just save his life! Or at least save him from pain. I don't know if you're like me, but I've had countless urinary infections, & they hurt.
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* To clean your area: Blot up mess with paper towel then Saturate the area with a product called "OUT!" ($4.79 at Walmart) or another "Enzyme" pet cleaning product. Then leave the Enzyme pet cleaner on overnight then blot it up. Next you can pour Hydrogen Peroxide on the area. Peroxide cleans with oxygen. And, lastly you can use a half white vinegar & half water solution. If you use one or ALL of the above, your cat-pee smell will go away.
My favorite nimber; one thing to clean up ANY pet mess (hairballs, blood, pee & poop) is OUT!, I like the light Vanilla scent it leaves behind, not like the other brands that have a strong floral scent. I sprayed a bit of the OUT! on a nasty hairball mess, then left it to sit for about 45 min, then came back to finish cleaning it up & the mess was TOTALLY gone! What a surprise THAT was! If the mess is on the carpeting, be sure to spray enough so it soaks way down in the carpet's padding!
---> A side note: NEVER use Ammonia to clean up Cat or Dog urine! Because Cats & Dogs will be attracted right back to that same spot to go again, since all urine is so strong in ammonia, this "fools the pets nose" & they thing the ammonia is pee. (which attracts them!)
For detailed directions how to remove all traces of pet odors read my post here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36405218.tip.html (06/02/2008)
By Cyinda
RE: Cat Stopped Using Litter Box
Cool, thank you for the input. I did take him in too the vet last year and he was diagnosed with having crystals in his urine for lifelong. Gave him a special cat foot and never helped it out. So I stopped giving it too him. However, me and the hubby tend to leave a few clothes/towels on the floor after we shower (that's what he was peeing on and loose paper etc.)
We pickup every time now and he seems to have stopped for a week now and finally scooping cat pee out of litter for the first time in years. I don't know why he preferred the bath rug/clothes/towels. Hopefully he will stop now for a bit? (06/03/2008)
By lifesimprerssions.Kelly
RE: Cat Stopped Using Litter Box
Is your toddler chasing him? Cats get stressed easily and develop UTI's from the stress. Make sure your toddler does not chase and only pets nicely. Definitely take him to the vet (06/03/2008)
By Tigertame4
RE: Cat Stopped Using Litter Box
Get him to the vet NOW! My male cat has lifelong crystals and will forever be on a pill every other day. Either that or he will die and it wouldn't be a gentle death. Crystals are nothing to fool with. For the odor, find a product called Urine Off. We bought it at a flooring store specifically. Cleaned up the mess and smell 100%. (06/03/2008)
By Monika
RE: Cat Stopped Using Litter Box
I feel for you! I had a female cat who did the same thing. After you have him checked out at the vet there are a few other things you could consider. Have you changed the type of litter you had been using? I've been told that there are some cats who either don't like the change or the new litter itself.
Do you have a covered litter box? A friend who was having a problem finally realized that one of her cats was too large to comfortably fit through the opening and once she removed the lid, the problem fixed itself. And I have found that cats do like privacy. Is the litter box in a place "off the beaten path" where he w
ill not be disturbed when trying to do his business? The female cat I had a problem with also would urinate on any piece of clothing left on the floor anywhere! We quickly stopped leaving anything like that on the floor. Sadly, she died two years ago from old age:( I wish you luck in finding a solution. I am a huge cat lover and have 5 myself. They are all brothers from the same litter that I rescued.
My plan was to find homes for them but I fell in love with every one of them and their different personalities! Cats are strange loving creatures and it is a challenge trying to figure out why they do some of the things they do! (06/03/2008)
By klup99
RE: Cat Stopped Using Litter Box
One of my males cats is/was prone to urinary infections, & twice had blockages. He's been on an oral 2-pills-daily dosage of DL-Meth (Methionine, 200 mg each) now for 2 years or more, without any new complications. He hates the expensive urinary-tract foods and, besides, since I have 7 other indoor cats who also dislike these formulas, the pills were the way for us to go. Success, so far. Good luck. (06/06/2008)
By Nica
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Request: Cat Stops Using Litter Box
Archived on 06/02/2008
Help with my male cat I have had him since he was a baby he is now 3 years old been fixed about a year ago I moved about a month ago and he was doing well until the last 3-4 days and he just stopped using his litter box and it is in the same location with nothing different.
Donnarae from , Elmira NY
RE: Cat Stops Using Litter Box
He could have kidney stones. My advise is to take him to the vet, ASAP!
Denise
www.automaticbuilder.com/kyss (09/07/2007)
By
RE: Cat Stops Using Litter Box
The cats are probably nervous about being in a new place. Pets get as nervous as kids do when you move, and they're young, especially if they've lived in one place their entire life. If you notice they're going in one spot, all the time, try moving the litter box to that spot, keep telling them "you have to use the litter box, you can't go on the floor (I know its silly, but I always felt cats understood you.) But, they're probably just scared and nervous about the new place, it'll take time but I'm sure they'll get used to it and once you find a "comfortable" spot for their boxes, they'll start using them again. Good luck! (Note: I'm not a vet, just have had experiences with pets.) (09/07/2007)
By Candreya
RE: Cat Stops Using Litter Box
I had a male cat, stopped using litter box. He was ill because he was straining and unable to
urinate. Please take him to your vet early on. A quick check over could save his life and you a broken heart.
(09/07/2007)
By Mary
RE: Cat Stops Using Litter Box
It could be a urinary tract infection as we had with our kitties. Also, we were told to change the litter we were using as the litter dust was aggravating the problem. After antibiotics and a few varieties of litter to see what worked, we got our kitties all sorted out. Now they are just fine! After a move, be sure to pay special attention to him. Who knows, it may also be that he scents another cat and is annoyed by the lingering scent? As mentioned in previous posts, definitely go to the vet for a check-up. Better safe than sorry. (09/07/2007)
By Trisch
RE: Cat Stops Using Litter Box
A urination problem in a male cat is not something to be taken lightly. Get him to a vet ASAP. UTIs in male cats if left untreated will cause (a painful) death.
If he's not defecating then it could be a major hairball and/or his stool is impacted. Again, a trip to the vet is a must! (09/07/2007)
By Maryeileen
RE: Cat Stops Using Litter Box
I've just got a couple of cats, and the shelter gave me lots of info about how to take care of cats, including this problem. It could be that your cat is sick, or upset because of the move. Check the ASPCA website at aspca.org, under the Expert Advise caption, then click on Animal Behavior for some helpful tips
good luck.
Anna (09/09/2007)
By aw_$mgr96
RE: Cat Stops Using Litter Box
I agree with taking him to the vet. The timing could all be coincidence and has nothing to do with the move. Sometimes if it's too painful to urinate they won't use the litter box because they associate it with the pain. (09/10/2007)
By Lynn Beth
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