Cat Not Using Litterbox?

Judy
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts

September 18, 20170 found this helpful

Cat not using litter box

• A declawed cat has sensitive front paws. The litter you are using may hurt him or her. Get a different brand that is soft.
Advertisement


• Have a number of litter boxes throughout the home
• Avoid putting the box in a tight space
• Make sure the litter box is clean
• The cat may not like the box. Make sure it is big enough and the walls are not too high.

coville123
Silver Post Medal for All Time! 433 Posts

September 19, 20170 found this helpful

A cat does not like change. They are creatures of habit. So you may have to move the litter box. Also, do not use kitty litter with perfumes in it. They do not like it. Make sure she does not have a health problem.

cybergrannie
Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks

September 22, 20170 found this helpful

Most cats do not like changes and this seems to be her problem. You say you moved the litter box back to the basement so that means you had it in an area that she likes and now she is refusing to go to the "other" place.

• Most likely, you would have to trap her in the basement to make her use it and then she may rebel and go elsewhere.
• Some things to try; use only unscented cat litter. Remove any top that is on her box as many cats do not like this arrangement. They rarely like an enclosed area.
• Do you ever go to the basement like for laundry or other chores? If so, that may be a good time to trap her in the basement with you.
• If it is possible you could visit together in the basement sometimes as she may feel uncomfortable in the basement alone.
• Was her food and water near her litter box before you returned it to the basement? No change in food or water dish?
• I do not know if this is possible but if there was some way to move her box back upstairs and then gradually move it closer to the basement door you may be able to retrain her after the move to the basement.
Advertisement


• The area she has been using should be thoroughly cleaned so she will not smell the urine and try to block the area so she has no access.
• Many find that vinegar works to remove the lasting odor of cat urine because vinegar is an acid that neutralizes the alkaline salts that form in dried urine stains. A solution of one part water and one part vinegar can be used to clean walls and floors.
• Do not use any product that has ammonia as an ingredient.

Is she spoiled? Most likely and she likes things the way they were. She may never like going to the bathroom in the basement.

Lizzyanny
Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 226 Feedbacks

September 22, 20170 found this helpful

I think you need to ask yourself just how important it is that the cat use a basement litterbox. For starters I would put everything back just the way she liked it. When she is happy using the litterbox again where it used to be, you could try putting a new litterbox in the basement (leave the 1st one where it is) Encourage her to use the new box in the basement.