Cat Not Using Litterbox!

Updated on May 04, 2007
S.P. asks from Cedar Hill, TX
7 answers

I'm at a total loss. My almost 5 yr old cat has started urinating and pooing in the house. Her main target is the corner of my daughter's bedroom, and sometimes the front entry hall. I've taken her to the vet for an exam and blood work up, and every thing is fine. My husband has about had it with her. We've tried confining her to the area around her litter box for a few days (several attempts), to no avail. I have to constantly check all the bedroom doors to make sure they are shut, and watch her like a hawk. I LOVE her so much, but I don't know what else to do. Anyone have advice?

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J.D.

answers from Dallas on

My cat is 7 years old and a picky one at times. If his litter box is not cleaned every 2 days he will not use it! So rather than cleaning up a bunch of messes I keep it clean. Also when we change little or litter box locations he gets fussy and puts up a fuss and won't use it till we either fix the problem or move his box back. We had moved it to the laundry room so that we could not have it in the guest roon any longer and all the traffice of people and the machines scared him and he would not use it. :( Those are the problems our cat has had. When we take the top off his box he won't use it either. LOL

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A.B.

answers from Dallas on

Has anything changed in your home environment? Are you using any different products on the cat (i.e. litter, food, new litter box). Cats are just like us and when something changes it takes them a little bit to get adjusted. Good Luck! I am a cat lover as well and I know how much we love them and treat them like our kids.

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T.H.

answers from Dallas on

A few other examples of other atmosphere type changes can be added to the list. Any change in how much quality time cat is used to? Any changes to how much cat stays home alone during the day? New job or school activity? Did any other things change in the house? Spring Cleaning furniture relocation in Cats favorite sleeping spot or other areas. Kids bringing home new playmates cat is not used to. Over night visits from strangers to the cat. Cats are also very sensitive to emotions. Is there a change in emotions in anyone in the house? The cat can act out in response to tension in the home atmosphere. Example of emotional change: Young child hits the tantrum stage and is crying allot more can make a person tense. It can do the same to the cat. Another example: someone has a few bad days in a row at school or work is coming home grumpy. Example: Grandma is coming for a visit and atmosphere is tense with the happy excitement the cat is not used to. Or your moving to a new house soon and emotions are high. With cats it can be anything that can cause them to quite using the litter box and it is not always a health reason. It may take awhile to figure out exactly what it was that set your cat off. In the meantime, don't give up, you love your cat, and for now have a little patients. Best wishes to you.

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S.

answers from Dallas on

I have cats of my own, so I understand. My cat was left with my Mommie cat at 1 week old. So I have raised her from a very small kitten, so she is very spoiled.

She will go on the floor, if my husband gets behind on the litter box. If its getting full and he put if off 1 day
for trash day she let him know and leave a surprise,
and would go in the kids room.

Also she is very picky about the litter we use. She will only go in Fresh Step or Crystal Blends, anyother kind forget it.

As long as you use the right cat litter and it doesn't get full than she happy. My husband even tells her you have a fresh box. She goes crazy when you eat ice cream !
Cats are funny.

Good luck hope you can find the reason, I am sure there is a reason.

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D.R.

answers from Dallas on

She is probably jelous. My cat does the same thing, even after I spent an arm and leg to get the carpets cleaned. Have you tried locking her in a small room, like the bathroom, for several days? Maybe 2 weeks, and do not let her out just feed her and clean the box and leave. I know it is so hard I love my kitty to and Im trying this now, let you know if it works.

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C.F.

answers from Dallas on

My female cat had a similar problem last year. For months she kept urinating on the floor and bed. We took her to the vet and they thought it was behavior issues, but she kept doing it after we followed their advice. We took her back again and it endedup that she had a urinary tract infection (UTI). In cats they can come and go so it was hard to detect, but it finally showed up. After 2 weeks of antibiotics she has never done it again. Also, you need to buy a cleaner that removes the smell way down in the carpet. PetSmart has a good one (I can't remember what it is called) but it is made just for cat urine. Just ask them. If the smell is still there even slightly they will continue to use the same spot no matter what. Good luck!

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A.

answers from Dallas on

I had a cat that had urinary issues and when he started getting an infection he would go #1 on the floor, never #2. You may want to call your vet just to rule that out. I had to use a special food for prevention and anytime I ran out and had to get another brand he would let me know by leaving puddles.
I also had another cat that sprayed, unfortunaely it was due to behavioral issues is what the vet told me. I changed everything, tried everything but he would still spray.
Good luck to you and your cat ( :

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