help!! cat won't use litter box
help!! cat won't use litter box
I have had multiple cats for years and know the resistance some have to using the litter bax after a new addition to the family. This isn't the case here. This cat was brought inot the household as a stray adapted slowly but well into the group, used the litter pan but has since stopped. Taco spends alot of time outdoors but is good to come in at night. Duirng the night he uses the bathroom behind the sofa in the living room. My carpet can't take this! I have tried putting down vinyl carpet runner- UPSIDE DOWN so the pointy grippers will prevent him - good idea? Well, it didn't work. Then I tried putting down plastic shopping bags or aluminum foil to create some noise, didn't work. I even tried sitting the covered litter pan back there! Now I have plastic sheeting down to try to protect my carpet. That is unsightly and not a solution. Is there anything I can do to retrain him? What other suggestions do you have? Others are sure to have had this problem before---what can I do? I won't banish him to the outdoors, I won't give him away. Are there any ideas you can share? Thank you.
Re: help!! cat won't use litter box
How old is he, is he neutered, and how long have you had him?
The first problem is most likely because you allow him outdoors. Those outdoor "habits" will continue to the indoors.
Indoors ONLY. For ALL of the cats.
The first and most important thing you should do right now is get him to your vet for a full exam and urinalysis to rule out health problem or UTI.
Stop putting plastic or other material on the areas, this will SURELY invite them to mark on those things. Instead, use an enzymatic cleaner for carpets to thoroughly clean the area. (like Petastic, or even Woolite Oxy-Clean for rugs).
Provide a new litterbox in another area of the home, preferrably in a private location, AWAY FROM heavy foot traffic, away from large noisy appliances, easily accessible and keep it scooped on a daily basis as well as thoroughly cleaned and rinsed on a weekly basis. Rule of thumb is one to two boxes per cat.
There could be animosity between one or more cats, and if one or more cats is intimidated by another for any reason, this will prevent them from using the litterbox. Observe carefully, who is using the boxes, and who is displaying signs of intimidation or fearfulness around another cat? Observe all the cats, their daily activities, their sleeping arrangements, their eating routines, their play routines, which one might be agressive toward this cat? Which one might be terrorizing or intimidating this cat in some way? The best way to observe litterbox behavior is right after the morning meal, when they are most likely to have to use the litterbox. Is this cat searching for a more private area? Away from the other cats? Does one or more cats "gaurd" a litterbox area?
As for changing email in your profile, one must PM me with the email address they wish to change, I will change it in the profile (this is noted in the Support Forum).
The first problem is most likely because you allow him outdoors. Those outdoor "habits" will continue to the indoors.
Indoors ONLY. For ALL of the cats.
The first and most important thing you should do right now is get him to your vet for a full exam and urinalysis to rule out health problem or UTI.
Stop putting plastic or other material on the areas, this will SURELY invite them to mark on those things. Instead, use an enzymatic cleaner for carpets to thoroughly clean the area. (like Petastic, or even Woolite Oxy-Clean for rugs).
Provide a new litterbox in another area of the home, preferrably in a private location, AWAY FROM heavy foot traffic, away from large noisy appliances, easily accessible and keep it scooped on a daily basis as well as thoroughly cleaned and rinsed on a weekly basis. Rule of thumb is one to two boxes per cat.
There could be animosity between one or more cats, and if one or more cats is intimidated by another for any reason, this will prevent them from using the litterbox. Observe carefully, who is using the boxes, and who is displaying signs of intimidation or fearfulness around another cat? Observe all the cats, their daily activities, their sleeping arrangements, their eating routines, their play routines, which one might be agressive toward this cat? Which one might be terrorizing or intimidating this cat in some way? The best way to observe litterbox behavior is right after the morning meal, when they are most likely to have to use the litterbox. Is this cat searching for a more private area? Away from the other cats? Does one or more cats "gaurd" a litterbox area?
As for changing email in your profile, one must PM me with the email address they wish to change, I will change it in the profile (this is noted in the Support Forum).
..........Traci