Litter box problems

[Carol A Teitler]

Well, we did the urine analysis and it came back clean. No problem there, thank goodness! Now we have the original problem...what would make him use the living room carpet instead of his box. We haven't changed litter; the box is the same one he's had for the past couple of years (one of the automatic self-cleaning boxes); nothing has changed in the home; he gets plenty of attention and affection; and, he is using the box now that he's confined in one room. We will try the product you recommended. Our Vet said to try just vinegar and water -- we'll probably do that next. As far as the food is concerned, the Vet seems to think it's not necessary to keep him on the CD/S but to definitely keep him on the WD (for weight control). He's doing real well on the CD/S so I'm not in any hurry to take him off it. Thanks to all of you who showed concern. If anyone has any other suggestions on this behavior problem, we'd love to hear from you!

[prettykitten]

Hi Brutus, what u playing at? How about if mom tried locking you in your litter room for 10 mins evry hour or so with NO food or water so you get to know it's a toilet room! Has your mom get a different room you could go in at night where you could have your food and drink. And lastly, tell mom to put some small pebbles in a tin and shake it if you look like you're going to pee and take you for your ten minutes. Mom may have to do this a LOT for awhile. But not if you are a clever cat. Also ask her for lots of love, good food and cuddles to counteract the downside! Hugs Ann x

[Traci]

Thanks for your interest! We are starting with a urine analysis and then see where we are. At least I can do this at home (which I'm sure Brutus will greatly appreciate!) I'll get back to you and let you know what the latest situation is...

Carol, could you please humor me here and elaborate? You didn't actually do a urinalysis at home did you? You didn't use urine regent strips, by chance did you? The urinalysis was done at your vet's clinic, right?

[Jen]

Hopefully she means that she can collect the urine at home.

[Carol Teitler]

Jen & Traci: Yes, I only collected the urine at home and brought it to my vet for analysis.

Ann: Brutus says, "Thanks." Mom keeps me in the room with box and food when she's not home. When she is home, she lets me roam (but watches me like a hawk!!) I never pee when she's around, though!

[Shadowfein]

I don't know if this helps - on another web site - someone was having a problem with her cat not using the litter box at all... They were very concerned and on a completely separate issue, bought a new litter box and the problem magically resolved itself....

[Carol Teitler]

Thanks so much for taking the time to write...Brutus has no problem with the litterbox...he uses it all the time, except when he chooses to use my living room carpet. As long as he's confined in one room with his litterbox, he never has an "accident"...pretty suspicious if you ask me!! As long as there's no physical problem (which we ruled out), we'll have to keep trying to treat it as a behavioral problem. Boy! Who said cats were low maintenance pets? Bet they never had a cat!!! But, we love him and we're stuck with him and him with us!!