I have an older cat, I would say at least 12 years old(he was a stray). After we moved 8 months ago he refuses to use the cat box. Instead he goes under the couch and the bed, and sometimes on the bed. So we put him in the bathroom at night with his own litter box as we have 3 other cats. He pees on the floor anyway. I do know he is very much intimindated by our dominate male cat, and thought that may stop him from coming out to use the box, but he refuses even in a room by himself. We tryed diffrent types of litter boxes as well as litter. We also took him to the vet, they couldnt find anything wrong with him. I am running out of ideas but he cant keep peeing ang pooping every where. And we can't keep him in the bathroom all the time. Should we put him down? I am at a loss, the idea breaks my heart but I do not what else to do! Any help would be great!
2006-07-19 17:03:28 · 12 answers · asked by bluesparklecat 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
He is fixed as are all my other cats. If that helps.
2006-07-19 18:27:13 · update #1
I had a similar problem when I moved with my cat. She was only 9 but nothing I did could break her of peeing where she wanted. And as it was a carpeted rented house, she had to be put down. This was a number of years ago but now there is a place near where I live that will take cats like that (or any unwanted animal) and let them live out their life in a room filled with other animals (and people). Maybe you have a similar place near you? Try the yellow pages.... or talk to your vet.
Good luck.
2006-07-19 17:10:01 · answer #1 · answered by wd2crv 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to hear of your distress. I had a similiar thing with a younger cat 3 yrs old only but we moved last yr and her favorite place to do her business was my shower..to the point I had to block it. Having two cats they never minded sharing litter box but moving turned that around..so I got her her own litter box and when she made a "mess" I just picked it up and put it in her box. After 2 days i'm glad to say we've had no shower loads to clean.You also mentioned a dominant cat, this cat may have made claim on all the comfortable spot in your place ..so try putting him in the bathroom for a bit so your other cat can get comfortable too.. hope this helps if not give you an idea to mix with another..good luck
2006-07-20 00:22:12 · answer #2 · answered by Em City 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He evidentally doesnt feel comfortable with the location of the litter box. Put it in a different location and be sure and keep the litter changed. The problem is hes not comfortable in his new environment. Put the box in the living room, the reason hes going in the living room is because that is where you usually stay at most of the time and he doesnt feel alone....It makes sense when you think about it...lol Hes using it where hes most comfortable. Good luck. Im sure after a while he will get used to the new place and youll be able to move the box back into the bathroom.
2006-07-20 00:10:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please do not kill your pet just because it is stressed. Someone told me that they put their kitten in a cage big enough for a litterbox and food for a week and they used it. After a week they let them out and put the litter box where it was convenient and did not have the problem again.
They told me the kitten was attacked by another cat when using the litterbox and that is why it was afraid to use it again. I don't know if it would work for an older cat but it is worth a shot...better than killing the cat.
Also try Feliway it is a spray they sell that calms the cat and helps keep it from urinating in places it shouldn't. I use it all the time for I rescue cats and have to take them a distance to get them sterilized. It works great...I recommend it highly.
http://www.feliway.uk.com/feliway_uk.nsf/Page?OpenForm
Also if your cats are not spayed or neutered that would make a big difference. If you get them fixed you will not have that problem.
2006-07-20 00:33:24 · answer #4 · answered by kathyk214 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I feel bad for you and your kitty - its very likely stress related your vet can give you pills to relax him but these will slightly effect his personality...
is he and your other cats fixed? I am assuming they are....
I would continue with NON-SCENTED CLUMPING Litter (the one most cats prefer) and keep him in the bathroom for a period of a week or more.. slowly start letting him back out into the house..defininately you should have 1 box per cat and have them in at least 2 different places in the house...
good luck I am sorry I cant be of more help
2006-07-20 00:11:52 · answer #5 · answered by CF_ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like he is angry and depressed because of the move. Sometimes cats get that way when you move because you dont spend as much time with them or they arent used to the new house or a lot of reasons. We had a female cat that did the same thing. I personally would kick him out of the house and let him come and go as he pleases, feed him outside and love him. He will be fine outside, and he can come inside once in a while. It usually makes them happier. Another suggestion would be to spend a lot of time with him and put him in the box when you see him trying to go to the bathroom on the rug. It would take alot of work to get him to use it again.
2006-07-20 00:10:51 · answer #6 · answered by justmyjusrty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cats usually will avoid the boxes when they are dirty, but I am assuming by the care you take, it's clean... try different types of litter... I heard the clumping kind is VERY toxic for animals and people, maybe he realizes this and refuses to go there (like when cats don't drink water from a bowl. only from the running faucet cause it's cleaner)... maybe he is just old and set in his ways or he is trying to spray around to claim territory cause of the other cats.. good luck
2006-07-20 00:06:43 · answer #7 · answered by janmarbol 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he may be allergic to the litter. just like we are allergic to some brands of tolit paper. you need to try to catch him in the act and make him stay in the litter box until he uses it. Another option would be to buy a new litter box just for him. make sure to keep the other cats away. if you live in a area where he can go outside, let hi out more often. he may chose to go outdoors to the bathroom....
2006-07-20 01:23:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it's because of the multiple cats.
try to clean the litter box with bleach to remove any other smells
2006-07-20 00:06:57 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to put the cat in the litter and hold him there for a minute several times a day until he understands. Try to catch him when he's about to go urinate or poop
2006-07-20 00:09:00 · answer #10 · answered by supraracer87 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋