L.R. asks from Winchester, TN on July 28, 2008
Why Won't My Kitten Poo in Her Box????
It is very unsanitary for my 15 month old, I don't want her finding a fresh pile of poo and doing God knows what with it! Sarah (the kitten) is about 5-6 weeks old and everytime I put her in the poo box(clean or dirty), she jumps right back out or she eats a few pieces of litter. Then proceds to go on the carpet/tile/couch. UGGGHHHHHHHH How do I make her go in the box??
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K.A. answers from Nashville on July 29, 2008
We have an 18 year old cat that we have always had problems with until I made her a litter box of her own, in an area, by itself, and it doesn't have litter in it....it has a doggy pee pad in it. She use to get in the litter box and use the bathroom and then shake her feet like they were filthy. She would step out of the box and use the floor. Until I tried the doggy pee pads, I wanted to choke her. She is 18 years old now and still using her pee pads.
Hope this helps,
K.
B.H. answers from Raleigh on July 29, 2008
Have you tried using a different kind of litter? You could also ask a veterinarian, or a pet store (such as PetSmart) employee for advice.
I am a long-time cat owner, and I've had lots of pet issues, but never this particular problem. Good luck!!!
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A.C. answers from Asheville on July 29, 2008
I would try a different litter. She might be paw sensitive. Maybe cat nip in her litter box. If not call the VET. Good luck.
P.D. answers from Hickory on July 30, 2008
L.,
You may want to really consider getting another kitten.
Paula
W.M. answers from Nashville on July 29, 2008
My only advice is that when I first got my kitten she would do the same thing. She actually would slide under a door that I kept closed to do it in the guest bedroom. At first I thought it was b/c she was stubborn and wanted in and didn't want doors closed. that was part of it, at least why she chose that room, but the vet said it was cochcydia (cocksidia is how to pronounce it)- not sure the correct spelling. A bacteria and meds cleared it up. You may want to take it to the vet to have it checked out. It cleared up very quickly. To the day though, she does not want ANY doors closed! ha ha
W.
T.C. answers from Nashville on July 29, 2008
My kitten did this also. YOu need to put the kitten in a small room with only food, water, litter box and bed. And leave the kitten there for a few days. You can go love on her, pet her, etc but don't let her out till she knows where her litter box is. Also if she does mess in the house, put the poo in the box also so she will associate it with the litter box. ( I think your kitten was taken away from Momma too soon they should be around 2-3 months old)
M.T. answers from Raleigh on July 29, 2008
You have to show it what you want it to do. Pick up the poo with tissue and drop it in the litter box on top. Then place the kitten right by the poo. After sniffing a little the kitten should cover it and start going there. You may have to do it a few times for the kitten to get the picture. I dont know if they dont like the feel of liter on their feet or what the trouble is but if you watch a kitten come out of the box they are kicking their paws all the way. It does get stuck between their toes. Hope this helps.
E.R. answers from Jacksonville on July 29, 2008
Cats "go" in the same place - they do this by a sense of smell. Your kitten "smells" her potty on the carpet - sofa etc. Get a good pet odor remover product or baking soda may work to try and remove the odor. Keep the kitten "contained" in the room with her litter box for a few days and only take her out to play and cuddle. She will get the idea that this is her potty and not your sofa. It is possible that she may have an infection (UTI or bladder) which makes her have to go anywhere and everywhere so a trip to the vet might be a good idea also. Good luck!
K.A. answers from Nashville on July 29, 2008
We have an 18 year old cat that we have always had problems with until I made her a litter box of her own, in an area, by itself, and it doesn't have litter in it....it has a doggy pee pad in it. She use to get in the litter box and use the bathroom and then shake her feet like they were filthy. She would step out of the box and use the floor. Until I tried the doggy pee pads, I wanted to choke her. She is 18 years old now and still using her pee pads.
Hope this helps,
K.
L.O. answers from Nashville on July 30, 2008
Hi- I'm not an expert but we have a new kitten, too, and I had some luck with giving her a treat and a lot of petting and encouragement every time she went near the box. It was like a big party every time she actually used it properly. I also made sure that anywhere she had had an "accident" was thoroughly cleansed and odor free so that she would not return to it. I was advised not to punish her for voiding outside the box because this would just teach her not to void in front of me- however my kids (who are older) would spot the signs that she was about to go and would sometimes grab her from under the dining room table and run her to the box- then give her a treat if she did it there. This is a lot harder for you, with a curious and mobile fifteen month old- you're already busy without having to add litter box patrol to your duties! Good luck!
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