My cat won't use the litterbox! HELP!?

Question

She used to and now she doesn't. She just kind of...goes everywhere. Perhaps the litterbox is too small or she doesn't like the litter? Or is it something more serious? Does she want more attention?

HELP?!

Answer 1

There are a few reasons why you cat choose to eliminate outside his litter box.

Medical conditions: Medical conditions which result in an increased frequency of urination or defecation may be the underlying cause for this behavior problem. These conditions include: colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, kidney or liver disease, and feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). Medical conditions which cause pain urinating or defecating, or make it difficult for the cat to get in and out of the litter box, may also result in inappropriate elimination. Such conditions include arthritis, FLUTD, anal sac disease, loss of vision, and some forms of colitis. Treatment of these medical conditions may help to resolve this behavioral problem. In addition, using litter boxes with lower sides, placing the litter box in the area in which the cat spends the most time, and increasing the number of litter boxes may be helpful.

Stress: Stress can be a major cause of inappropriate elimination in cats of all ages. Stressors such as moving, changes in routine, or changes in the makeup of the family can result in inappropriate elimination. Reducing these stressors or decreasing their impact on the household will benefit your cat (and probably you, too!). For instance, when moving, attempt to keep the cat in a quiet portion of the home when packing and during the actual moving day. At the new residence, confine your cat to a quiet room at first (probably a bedroom), placing her food, water, litter box and favorite sleeping material (bed, sweatshirt, etc.) in the room. Spend time with her in that room and feed her and clean the litter box at the usual time. Gradually let her become accustomed to the rest of the house.

There is a product called 'Feliway' which was designed to help reduce anxiety in cats, and thus decrease spraying or urinating inappropriately. Feliway contains pheromones from the cat's face. Pheromones are chemicals which are used to communicate with other members of the same species. You may notice your cat rubs her face and chin on vertical surfaces. She is leaving a scent there which contains these pheromones. The pheromones from the face have a calming effect on other cats. When Feliway is sprayed onto multiple vertical surfaces which your cat may spray, the cat receives this calming effect and in many cases, spraying will be reduced.

Substrate preference: Cats of all ages may develop an aversion to the litter box or substrate (material inside of the litter box). Some of the litters with a 'perfume' or 'antiseptic' smell may dissuade some cats from using them. Trying different types of litter including clumping litter, sand, newspaper, and no litter are things that could be helpful.

Box location: Some cats may not like where a box is located. It may be located too close to their food or water. It may be in a high traffic area where they cannot have privacy. It may be in an area where they can be easily ambushed by another cat. It may be on a different level of the house than where they spend most of their time. In addition to trying various substrates, also place extra boxes around the house to see if box location makes a difference. There should always be at least one more litter box than the number of cats in the household.

Sanitary conditions: Some cats are very particular. Some will not defecate in the same box in which they urinate. Others will not go in a box which has been used by another cat. Just as we do not like to use dirty bathrooms, neither do many cats. If the litter box is not cleaned regularly, they may decide to find a different bathroom.

Possible Solutions to Inappropriate Elimination

Have your cat checked by your veterinarian for a possible medical condition, and start treatment for the condition if one exists. If the cat is extremely stressed, talk to your veterinarian about some medications which may help.

Place numerous litter boxes around the house. You do not have to use anything fancy: dishpans, large plastic containers or other items may work just as well. Try a larger litter box, some behaviorists feel litter boxes are often too small.

Use different substrates including newspaper, clumpable and nonclumpable litter, sand, sawdust (not cedar), carpet remnants, and no litter at all. Use unscented litter, since many cats do not like the scented kind. If you find the substrate that your cat prefers is not the one you do, e.g., carpet remnants, try slowly converting the cat back to litter. Place a small amount of litter on the carpet remnants the first week, and if all goes well, use more litter each week until you can finally remove the carpet remnants from the box.

Try different depths of litter. Many people put too much litter in the box. Some cats like only a small amount.

Clean any soiled areas with an enzyme cleaner designed for use on pet urine and stool. Regular detergents and other cleaners will not break down th

Answer 2

have you changed litter brands if you did change back the cat could have a medical problem take it to the vet for a check mention to the vet whats going on also it could be maybe theres a smell in the litter box it dont like also might be shy maybe put a box over it with a cut out  and staple a towel to the box (or tape it or fasten it some way)

Answer 3

Try getting a bigger litter box, one with an igloo top, some cats get really shy when they are doing their business. Make sure there is always a piece of her droppings in the box, so she knows that the box is a place she can freely go. If this doesn't help, keep her in a small area with her food, water, a bed, and the litter box. With such a small area, it will reduce the places she can go... And she won't go near her food or her bed. Do that for about a week (yes, it's sad to have to lock up the cat) then put the box where you usually keep it. Make sure she sees it there! Hopefully this helps.

Answer 4

is it clean?  do you change it?  get a bigger box, and buy better litter.

Answer 5

Have you had her to the vet- If she is in pain when she urinates or defecates they will associate that pain with the litter box- have  her urine sample and stool sample tested to rule out any medical problems-if she is okay try something called CAT ATTRACT- you sprinkle it in the litter box and it attracts them to it-if that doesn't work small areas -like crate or powder room so she has no choice-Good Luck with this-it can be difficult thing to solve-

ALSO-be sure to clean the areas that she has used before to stop any attraction.

Answer 6

you may need a bigger box. or  did you move it from its oringinale place that could be the problem

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