She was using it before, then had a bladder infection which has been cured, but still won't use the litter box
2006-08-03 03:45:58 · 11 answers · asked by Scott G 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Try changing out the box and going to a different type of litter.
The box may still have the 'odor' of the infection even though you may have changed out the litter and washed it. Litter boxes are cheap.. toss the old one and buy a new one... preferrably a different type/color.
Sometimes kitty's associate certain things with bad experiences. In your kitty's case, it may be associating the painful experience with the smell / texture of the kitty litter it was using. Changing out the litter will help eliminate this association.
Hope this helps!
2006-08-03 03:52:28 · answer #1 · answered by wrkey 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ive found thast after an infection a cat will not return to use the same litter box.
Perhaps it associates the smell of the infected urine in the box to the disscomfort involved.
The second thing i've learned that when we want a cat to urinate in a new place "or new box" we will place some of the old disscarded litter in the box a few times, this has worked before.
You may try awhole new litter box.
2006-08-03 10:54:22 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thoroughly wash the box with a water/bleach solution and rinse well. Switch brands of litter and relocate the box to another part of the house. She has associated the box with the pain from the bladder infection so you need to change the environment for a while. If she starts using it again, you can gradually move the box back to its original spot. Try to use a litter that has a low dust factor (the self-clumping brands are notorious infection-starters), change it often and make sure she always has plenty of fresh water; both things will help to prevent another infection.
Good luck. :)
2006-08-03 10:53:08 · answer #3 · answered by Word Game Addict 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Show her where it is again. Rub her front 2 paws in the litter box so she knows it is there and she should begin to use it again. If not then she still may have something wrong with her.
2006-08-03 10:51:17 · answer #4 · answered by couriousk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
move the litter box to like a different room and keep her in there for a couple days. during that time take her 2 front paws and scratch the litter with them and watch her to she if she goes!! good luck!
2006-08-03 11:22:11 · answer #5 · answered by kittylovswim 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you keep it clean?
Do you use the really soft litter?
Try using the newspaper litter, my vet recommended that after I got my cat spayed. Then I was able to switch to regular litter after. You can get it at most vet places, Petsmart, Petco, etc.
Good luck and be patient!
2006-08-03 10:50:41 · answer #6 · answered by aloneinga 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
every time you see the cat start to do her business somewhere other than the litter box, put her in the litter box she will use it. it will also come with time.
2006-08-03 12:00:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well if you know she is clear of the infection then confine her to like the bathroom and have her litter box and some water in there, put her in there a few times so she knows where it is.
2006-08-03 11:11:03 · answer #8 · answered by macleod709 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same problem with one of my cats who kept on using the bed instead of his box after he was cured. I finally ended up covering the bed with a plastic tarp. He went back to his box after that.
2006-08-03 11:19:12 · answer #9 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This might help:
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/resources/brochure/Housesoiling.html
2006-08-03 11:04:47 · answer #10 · answered by Mick 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋