I have a 2 year old (f) house cat that has quit using her litter box for uninating. She still uses it for #2.?

Question

This is something that she started about 4 months ago. She started using a throw rug in the bathroom and then when we moved it - she still went to it; then we put a towel down to get out of the shower on and she used that. She always balls them up when she is done, like she is covering it up. I have a throw rug in my bathroom where the litter boxes are and she does not mess with that one. She has urinated in our shoes? She is a total indoor cat - I have had her and her brother since they were kittens I rescued and they are both fixed. Help!! I'm at my wits end, I desperately need to have my carpets cleaned but don't want to do it until I can solve this problem. She tends to only go in one room of the house unless she can catch something on the floor in the bathroom or she uses the shoes. I really hate to put her O/S because she has always been an I/S cat - but............... She is an adorable cat and we dearly love her and her brother. It wouldn't be fair to toss him out.

Answer 1

Certainly there are many suggestions. I've lived with as many as 7 indoor cats.

The issue truly isn't rugs or towels, it's the spot, and the scent.

Cats usually resist litter evacuation due to stresses, or intrusions into what is just like for us,,, a very private, personal experience. Eliminating is obviouly natural, the process is easily taught, but also easily disrupted. That relates not only to stress inflicted by another cat, but also their accessibilty to litter, and the dominance one has over another, and the territories as defined.

Are the cats good with each other? Do you see any alpha tendencies,,IE: "aggressions" Are they both "fixed"???

Are the litter boxes easily accessible 24/7? Are they separated? Are they always clean? Or at the very least, monitored often. Is the urination excessive, as compared to past experience? How old are they?

Certainly a vet might diagnose any illness, and even suggest behavior mods.

The one female we had who began urinating in the kitchen has since stopped, but the tensions continue. In this case the alpha male is ill and may be less aggressive? They are all also over 10 years old. They eat civily together,,all 7, but eliminating is an entire other issue.

Rev. Steven

I didn't read answers before answering, but Karyn Clay may be onto something. BTW Karyn is my daughters name,,, and clay is the substance of litter,,, no corrlelations just an aside.
Cats can be trained to use the toilet. In fact there are methods and tools sold for the purpose. You certainly will still have to monitor,,,and flush, but I see it as a great training for any cat.

Answer 2

Cats Have A Keen Sense For Smell, You Have To Use A Good Cleaning Product To Get The Sent Out So She Won't Go There Again. Try Using a Cleaner Called Lestol, It Works Great At Removing The Scent So The Cat Cannot Or Will Not Use Their Again. Once You Removed Her Scent She Should Not Use There Again.

Answer 3

I used to work for a vet and I also experienced this problem as well. First i would take her to the vet to rul out a UTI becaus ethey are very common in cats second I would try buying an additional litter box many cats do not like to share litter boxes as in this was the case in my situation. I doubt it is a UTI because most cats will not go to that one room to urinate they will simply go in the room they're in.

Answer 4

I just had the same problem with my cat. I finally took her to the vet and found out that she had a kidney infection. Was told that this is the cat's way of saying, hey, I don't feel good. I was also ready to throw my cat outside too. After two weeks of medicine, she is back to the litter box.

Answer 5

I would say there is something about the litter box that is undesirable, or that has traumatized her. I think that the litter box being in the bathroom is not a good idea. Move it to another room where it's easy for her to find and is secluded. If you catch her still using the throw, move her immediatley to the litter box, as you would a dog.

Answer 6

have u tried movin the litter box in the bathroom???or get another 1 for the bathroom so u can keep the other one where its at...if shes usin towels in the bathroom, she might want u 2 put her a box in there...if that dont work, then try bringin her 2 the vet...he might b able 2 help u more, or tell u if she has anything wrong w/ her...good luck tho!!!

Answer 7

it sounds like to me that she is trying to get your attention she goes in your shoes or on the mat in front of the shower where there is a lot of traffic i would clean carpets get the smell out keep the bathroom door closed and see if you could put your shoes in a closet and maybe try changing your litter or putting it in a different location and if she only does it when you leave the house or if she is not getting enough attention give more attention and put her in a room with food water and litter when you leave the house hope that helps

Answer 8

first i would take your cat to the vet, then go from there. if no infection, remove the liter box out of the bathroom and clean the bathroom floor really good. take one step at a time , you'll figure it out.

Answer 9

Have you taken her to the vet? That is sometimes the sign of an infection, especially since she hasn't completely stopped using the box.

Answer 10

MY CAT STOP URINATING IN THE LITTER BOX ONLY TO FIND HE WAS USING THE TOILET, TRY PUTTING THE CAT UP THERE AND HOLDING IT THERE A FEW TIMES THAT MAY DO THE TRICK