Cat selectively uses litterbox! Help!

[Corey]

I've had my cat now for 2 years. Originally she was a wild cat, but she started camping in front of my door and when I found her with frost on her in the morning I couldn't take it anymore and adopted her. However, I've had nothing but problems with her using the litterbox ever since.

She has a favorite corner in the dining room she'll use for urinating, and she has a spot for pooping. I've tried moving her food dishes there, she'll still go. We've steam cleaned both areas and tried EVERY cleaner (except Urine Gone... does that work?) and nothing seems to help. I've even got the Feliway plug-in but that didn't seem to help either however my father died at the same time and that may have stressed her out beyond what it could do.

I know she's picky about her litterbox. I've gone through so many types of litter and the kind that she seems to use more than the others is the crystal kind but she still will go outside the box with that too.

I'm at wits end and moving to a new home soon and my boyfriend isn't keen on keeping my cat inside if we can't find something to help. ANY suggestions would be wonderful. I hate to have to put her back outside, the poor thing has had rotten luck being an outdoor kitty (almost suffocated to death, bit by a coyote, shot by a neighbor kid...).

THANK YOU!!!!!

[Traci]

Has she been checked by your vet? This is the first and most important thing to do. Any underlying health issue could cause cats to eliminate inappropriately.

How old is she?

Where is the litterbox located, is is in a private area, is it cleaned and scooped on a daily basis? If she prefers one type of litter, stick with it and don't make constant changes with the type. Also provide a second box for her in another private location to see if she'll use it.

Is there an unusual amount of stress in the environment? What steps have you taken to address them?

Is your BF reprimanding her, is she fearful of him?

What is occuring before the inappropriate elimination?

Regardless of the problem, keep her Indoors ONLY, your BF must realize and understand this is not an option.

[Tina B and crew]

Can't add much more than Traci andI do concur that a vet check should be first and foremost. There is hope though. I had one who was a relentless carpet user...and she too picked a spot in the dining room. Vet checks, changes in litter, litter box placement, using everything on the carpet. We finally removed the carpet and replaced it with tile and she never ever peed on the floor again. We have since moved and have carpet again (I wish I didn't...I hate it) but she has not reverted to her old ways. Keeping the litter box immaculate is imperative though for her. Other wise she will choose spot just outside it.

Have you tried Nature's Miracle also? It always seemed to work best for me. Remember when you clean carpet with urine in it you have to get all the way through to the subfloor.

[Tambrey]

I have tried and really like Urine Off...different than Urine Gone...and it WORKS...

I got the flourescent blacklight that they offer as well...a small handheld battery operated one to really show every pee stain there is...of course, you have to use it at night, and play detective...

[Corey]

She is 2 1/2 years old and has been to the vet so many times we call her the million dollar cat.

The litterbox is in a closet in the office. I'm in there but it's tucked away and I think that it's about as private as you can get. I clean and scoop all the time but that doesn't always seem to help. I didn't mean to keep changing but the crystals weren't out when we first got her. When she was still an in and outdoor cat she seemed to LOVE to go in the neighbors pebble driveway so I thought perhaps the crystals would work. She does seem to go more often with that but it isn't that much better. I'd heard the clumping could lead to more UTI's and wanted to get away from that.

He does reprimand her but she loves him, she'll climb into his lap at will and love him so I don't think she's fearful of him.

She's had a lot of stress in her little life. She was abused by my boyfriends brother (he put her in a tidy cat container when she went on the carpet there, he took her for me at first because I couldn't keep pets in my apartment; I quickly broke THAT rule), she's been shot, she's been bit a couple times and had a pyrometra (sp). My father got cancer this summer and died and he lived with us so that was stressful for her as well. She's also skittish about anything new... we got an Ionic Breeze last year and she didn't come downstairs for about a month.

Does anyone have any reccomendations as far as the Littermaid?

Thank you all SO much!

[Tambrey]

is your home a multi level home....or a long ranch style home...you might want to consider just putting a second litterbox somewhere near or even in the dining room area...

maybe the office is too far away when she has to go...

just another idea to try...

[Traci]

Were all of her injuries treated appropriately by a vet? Where on the body was she shot, and was it a pellet or a bullet? Were any bones or muscle groups affected? Trauma can leave affects well after the incident and treatment, especially in the pelvic region that could cause problems with urination or defecation. These traumas usually include nerve or muscle damage. Inappropriate elimination could indicate that she has a long-term muscle, etc problem, was this ruled out by your vet?

Is she spayed now?

You mentioned litter types and UTI's, did she in fact ever have one or more occurances of a UTI?

The closet may not be the most appropriate location for a litterbox, since it is enclosed, it may retain odors and she may be avoiding it. The litterbox should be placed in an area that is private, yet not dark or enclosed, and away from heavy foot traffic, etc.

It's possible she prefers a certain texture from the litter, and/or may be sensitive to most litters, so either stick to the crystals, or slowly change to a more textured litter. You can add a new box in a different location and use a new type litter, one that does not resemble the current one, to see which one she prefers.

Nature's Miracle is now Petastic. If you buy the current Nature's Miracle, it isn't going to work, because when the company changed brands, the "formula" was retained by Petastic. So, use only Petastic. (if you can't find it in your local stores, you can order it online here.

Exactly how does your BF reprimand kitty? She shouldn't be reprimanded at all, but rather you need to take steps to reduce stresses in her environment (the litterbox placement is one step).

A word about the Ionic Breeze....a year or so ago, there were reports that this air "purifier" actually produced ozone levels beyond EPA and federal acceptance, they are usually also a waste of money, since they don't actually clean the air enough to substantiate their claims. They were also sued for unscrupulous business practices. There is also a concern with these products when used near children and pets, especially when the product is used in a small area. Buyer beware. Your kitty's reluctance to go near the product for nearly a month may be indicative of a problem...she may be able to smell/detect emissions from the ionic breeze whereas you may not. I'd not take chances and would cease using it (or get rid of it, IMHO).

Most importantly, is getting her completely evaluated by your vet, especially investigating the potential for problems due to her previous injuries. I realize you noted she's been seen many times, but is the vet competent and comitted to her health? Your vet should be making every effort to be helping you determine exactly why she is not using the litterbox, ruling out health problems or long-term effects from a previous injury are first priority. If he isn't taking this seriously or is not comitted to kitty's health, see a new, more competent vet immediately.

Please make every effort to reduce stresses in her environment. If it's not a medical issue, it's most likely due to stress. You have to be the investigator and detemine what is in the environment that she is not happy with....whether it is the litterbox, changes in the environment or your routine, visitors, yours or your BF's method of reprimanding, other factors of stress. Remember, cats cannot handle stress as humans do, so even the slightest changes in the environment can be hard on a cat to adjust to.

[Tina B and crew]

I didn't know that about Nature's Miracle Traci...thanks for mentioning it! Unfortunately Petsmart only carries Nature's Miracle (and fortunately I rarely need it, but do use it to clean litter boxes). I'll keep my eye out for the Petastice. Now that I think about it, Nature's Miracle didn't seem to be working as well for me in the last 8 months or so.

[Traci]

I doubt Petsmart even realizes, in my opinion they would be the first to carry it. I do know the current Nature's Miracle does absolutely nothing, and it doesn't smell good either! (I had a relatively new bottle before I found out about the Petastic)

[anneryan]

Hi Corey,

Bless you for giving this poor kitty a chance and for trying to figure out what is going on in her little mind!

I noticed that you mentioned a Littermaid in one of your previous posts. I have heard that some kitties don't like the Littermaid boxes--the noise from the motor scares or startles them. If that is the type of box you are using, you may try just a regular litter box. Just a suggestion!...

Good luck and I hope your vet can help you resolve your problem with her. She sounds like such a sweet kitty.