We have had cats for 13 years but adopted a Persian cat 7 years ago. She never consistently used the little box but lately it's gotten worse. She just peed in the study on the hard wood floor, which makes no sense. We have 2 litter boxes which are very private and undisturbed. They are cleaned regularly so there is no issue with the litter boxes. I joke with my husband that she is retarded but I am beginning to think it's true. She never grooms herself, does not recognize danger or learn from past experiences, she allows my son to hold her and carry her around and even bounce her endlessly, and I have seen her try to swat at the air. She recently had a full workup at the vet and for 13 years old, she is very healthy. What can I do? She really is very sweet in spite of the fact that she is not a clean cat.
Nothing has changed, and yes, she loves to poop and pee in the bathtub. I clean the litterbox several times a day and I think you ladies are right, she seems to like flat surfaces...maybe she doesn't even like litter? I have added another litterbox in a place she peed so I really appreciate the advice. I will try that pee attract litter...thank you!
How many cats do you have? I've always heard to have 1 more litter box than cat. My maine coon cat (long hair) is picky about the litter boxes and if they are just a tad too messy for his liking, he goes outside of them on the floor.
And/or she might just be crazy! :)
If she's always been this way, for the past 7 years, I can't be sure there is going to be a quick easy fix. I know you said she had a full work-up at the vet, but did that include any labwork? Blood tests to check for things like kidney disease or diabetes? And a urinalysis?
Is she the only cat in the house? I always recommend 1 more litter box than you have cats. Usually cats like boxes that are uncovered but not all. They usually like the soft sand-like clumping/scoopable type litter that is unscented. They also like having a box that is large enough to hold them if they are stretching out to scratch and dig in the litter. With the scooping litter, I recommend scooping out any waste 1 to 2 times a day, and then dumping the whole thing once a week. She may like a different kind of litter, so you could try different litters in different boxes and see if there is one she goes for more. There is a litter additive called Dr. Easley's Cat Attract that you can add to the box and see if it makes a difference. It's good the boxes are out of the way, but they shouldn't be so out of the way that it's inconvenient for her to use them. For example, if they are down in the cellar, and she's older, it may be getting harder for her to use the stairs.
If she's a Persian, she may be getting litter stuck in the fur in her paws and around her back end. If she is not good about keeping herself clean, have her coat clipped or shaved down shorter.
In the end though, if her preference is to go in places that are hard flat surfaces with no litter to dig in, that may just be the way she is. You could always try having a litter box with nothing in it and see if she goes in it. Another option would be seeing if your vet can refer you to a behavior specialist if everything else medically is normal.
Try Cat Attract brand litter! Look it up, it has helped many people with cats that don't want to use their litter box.
Some cats are VERY picky about their litter box and litter. Some won't use it if it has a top, some won't use certain fragrances of litter, some won't use it if there is one tiny bit of feces or pee in there.
If she never learned to clean herself, then she was taken from her mother too early. One of my cats doesn't properly clean her butt so we have to clean it for her. I just take a damp paper towel and swab her booty. Usually she stalks indignantly away, but then takes the time to clean herself. You can try encouraging her to clean herself by wiping her fur with a damp paper towel. Usually that triggers the grooming reflex.
You might look into getting a different food. What she's eating may be upsetting her digestive system. You can try switching to a different brand, or one with simpler ingredients.
Good luck!
Has anything changed? We have a cat who is healthy but stupid. Well, stupid in a "why do you do these things??!" way. She will pee in the bathroom sink or tub (not sure why - once she did it in the tub during a house party. I was so angry) or if we leave the bowl down for the other cat's food, she'll pee in it if it's left empty overnight.
Persians are notoriously temperamental. We have a very old half Persian who often refuses to use the litter box, especially if its even the tiniest bit dirty. My calico, on the other hand, will happily go in a box that hasn't been cleaned in weeks. (Yes, gross, but that has happened, I'm ashamed to say.) Not sure what the solution for your cat is, alas.
ETA: d'oh I just realized you said Persian and I was thinking Siamese. So I've got nothing at all now, sorry!
get help from catsinternational.org they are awesome with issues like this
You say the box is cleaned 'regularly', how often is that? We had to start cleaning the box for ours EVERY day. That's how temperamental she had become to using the box. It solved a similar problem for us.
She doesn't sound "retarded" at all. She sounds like a normal cat. Cats can be particular about small stuff, stuburn, persistant, and just don't seem to remember stuff; which is why you have the old saying, "Curosity killed the cat." Since she's an older cat, you have no idea of what her life was like when she was growing up. The biggest thing with cats is their litter box. If you have a cat that never used clumpig litter, you might have a problem since they are used to the regular non-clumping litter. Cats usually prefer the brand of litter they grew up with and may not be able to get used to a different brand. My cat has to have scented littler:otherwise, she will drive me nuts. Clumping litter and non-clumping litter feel very different on their little feet. Another problem can be a litter tray cover. Some cats feel too confined in those things. I can't have a litter cover, because my cat is an "edge pooper." An "edge pooper" uses a littler box just like we use a toilet and balances herself on the edge of the litter box when she goes potty. She refuses to get in there. We had her since she was 7 weeks old, so there was no training involved. She came from my sister's barn cat, so why is she an "edge pooper?" My sister told me that most cats get completely into the litter box to potty, but sometimes you get an "edge pooper." She said it's just a matter of the cat's personal preference. (My sister was a vet assist.) I guess I got lucky. My little queen didn't clean herself a lot either, but now that she's older she does. (She's 16 yro.) As for your cat allowing your son to carry her around, while she swatts the air....That's normal too. I guess cats are forgiving.
