My kitten cries to be placed in the litterbox!

[candylilacs]

My 4-month-old kitten will sit in the kitchen and cry loudly. If you do not place her in the litterbox she will pee on the kitchen rug.

She does this a few times a week with my husband always putting her there. I think she may do this because one of my grown cats, a female, is jealous of her and tries to intimidate her. Sometimes she's between the kitten and the litterbox but other times she's not. I know the kitten does go by herself since I've seen her.

Any help here? We have two litterboxes in our 750 sq. ft. apartment.

c.

[Traci]

I think you just answered your own question....that being the older cat is intimidating her.

Try placing the litterbox in an area nowhere near the other one, and train her (patiently) to use that one. Also work with the other cat in training her that aggressive/intimidating behavior is not acceptable. Try encouraging more bonding between them, involve them in interactive playtime together, paying equal amounts of attention to both.

[Guest]

Traci,

I can't see that happening.

Ana, the five-year-old, merely tolerates her brother, Miguel. The new kitten, however, she will not play with just as she won't with any other cat.

I'm at a loss. I tried doing the kitten's urine on her and it just annoyed her.

c.

[Traci]

Forgive me, did I misunderstand your last sentence....did you actually place urine on the older cat? (sorry, I'm confused, in any event, that's not the thing to do)

I'm not one to ever say give up on introductions and working with them to continue acclimating them and hoping for some sort of bond. Some cats refuse to bond with a sibling, and sometimes, there is nothing more you can do other than shower each of them with equal attention. However, since your kitten is only 4 months old, it's not too late to start with her. Your older kitty might be feeling alittle intimidated herself by the kitten, so for this reason, I wouldn't give up trying to establish some harmony in the environment. It does take time, patience and a whole lot of love and understanding.

On another note, we of course always recommend a vet check whenever there are urination problems, so you might want to make an appointment just so that urinary tract infections are ruled out.

[MA]

I would go along with the vet check as well. Although there are cats who announce that they are using the litterbox, sometimes when they cry there is an underlying health issue. If your kitten was ambushed in the litterbox, the kitten may be afraid to use it, so offer yet another litter pan in a secure location that also allows for a quick escape route. But please take your kitten to the vet to rule out any UTI.