Please help.

[LuvMyBabyBoy]

Starting recently my cat has been becoming wildly violent while I'm changing his litter box. He attacks both the trash bag that holds the dirty litter and myself. This just started the past 2 times I've changed the litter. I haven't changed litter brands. All his hair on his back and tail stands on end, his tail goes between his legs and he hisses, growls, and screams at me and the garbage bag until I remove it and wash my hands and/or take a shower. Even after I remove the bag and shower he remains violent for several hours, and he just looks scared to death. I've fiddled with the idea that he doesn't know his own scent and when I empty the litter it stirs up the scent of his urine in the air and he sees it as an opposing male's scent. Just a theory. I have no idea what is going on or what to do about it. If anyone knows anything about the situation, please help. Some other informtaion that might be useful: He is 1.5 years old, male, indoor cat, unfixed, I use Cat's Pride (c) disposable litter trays, except for when I change the litter he is a very lovable, playful and active cat. I couldn't ask for a better boy. Thank you in advance!

John C., proud parent of Tigger.

[Cindy]

Can you put him in another room and close the door while you clean his box?

[Traci]

Does the litter stir up dust?

Where is the litterbox located?

Think back and try to determine if something happened regarding the litter, the box, or the area, an unpleasant event that may be upsetting him, therefore he could be associating that with the current behavior. It doesn't necessarily have to have anything to do with the litter, but perhaps something else entirely. Did you drop something? Were loud noises scaring him around the area? Is the box near any heavy or noisy appliances? Is he afraid of the trash bag? Are you using heavy or perfumed chemicals to clean the area? (please don't, as these will cause cats to avoid the area and are detrimental to kitty's respiratory system, use only mild cleaners, like dishsoap or a solution of 1 part bleach to 32 parts water and rinsed/dried thoroughly). Are there other family members that may have inadvertently scared him with something in that particular area or the box, etc? Is it near a door?

[E's]

How long since the last complete physical exam? With urine/bowel/blood samples plus examination of the genital area, a vet should be able to determine if there is a present problem or abnormality, or signs that some problem has existed and/or is in process of healing itself (which natural recovery does sometimes happen.) If your cat gets a clean bill of health, the "psychological" problem would be easier for you to deal with.

A couple months ago my 2 year old neutered male had what at first seemed to me to be a SUDDEN severe UTI. Thus, I answered the emergency vet's question with, no, there had been no evidence of blood or crystals... turned out later what the cat had done some time before his pain became obvious to me was to open the undersink cabinet in the bathroom and use a spare litter box I had stored there, empty and leaned up against the cabinet wall... crystals and all had gone into the rim of the upturned box. Had the cat tried to hide his trouble because there is another male cat in the household or for some other reason? Who knows... cats are complicated critters

[Cleo]

Along with the other thoughts posted, click below:

Love your pets, spay & neuter

[Cindy]

oh geez, I completely missed the part that said he wasn't neutered!!!! How can anyone live with an un-neutered male as an indoor cat??? He must stink to high heaven!

[LuvMyBabyBoy]

oh geez, I completely missed the part that said he wasn't neutered!!!! How can anyone live with an un-neutered male as an indoor cat??? He must stink to high heaven!

He doesn't. Nor does he spray.

[Cleo]

^^ Okay, well beyond that, do any of the suggestions or the advice above make sense to your situation?

[Cindy]

oh geez, I completely missed the part that said he wasn't neutered!!!! How can anyone live with an un-neutered male as an indoor cat??? He must stink to high heaven!

He doesn't. Nor does he spray.

He will, give him time!

[LuvMyBabyBoy]

Does the litter stir up dust?

Where is the litterbox located?

Think back and try to determine if something happened regarding the litter, the box, or the area, an unpleasant event that may be upsetting him, therefore he could be associating that with the current behavior. It doesn't necessarily have to have anything to do with the litter, but perhaps something else entirely. Did you drop something? Were loud noises scaring him around the area? Is the box near any heavy or noisy appliances? Is he afraid of the trash bag? Are you using heavy or perfumed chemicals to clean the area? (please don't, as these will cause cats to avoid the area and are detrimental to kitty's respiratory system, use only mild cleaners, like dishsoap or a solution of 1 part bleach to 32 parts water and rinsed/dried thoroughly). Are there other family members that may have inadvertently scared him with something in that particular area or the box, etc? Is it near a door?

It's located near the bathroom door, by itself. I use dust-free litter but none-the-less it does get dusty sometimes. I don't clean the box since I use disposable ones, he gets a new box 1-2 times weekly (that's with regular scooping of course). He's not afraid of trash bags, just the one that holds the used box. As far as I know nothing has happened to scare him in that area, nor can I recall any reason he would have to be afraid of the litter. Something obviously did happen however. Do you think changing the location of the box might help?

Also, Cindy I'm choosing to ignore your comments from this point on whereas they have no benefit to the situation and are completely off-topic. But thank you for your.... consideration.