Dang CAT won't use her LITTER BOX....Need help!?

Question

Hey, my girlfriend brought home a really cute little cat a couple months ago, to add to our other two cats. She's between 1 and 2 years old.

The new cat won't poop in her box! We have a separate box for each cat, but the cat poops on the garage floor, mere steps away from her box! Needless to say, it's annoying at best, and borders on disgusting.

She's a sweet little cat, so drowning her is out of the question.

We've tried a few things, like holding her, and showing her where to poop, whilst picking up her floor-poop and dropping it in the box, then covering it.....We've kept the boxes clean, so no nasty paw-clingers, and we've tried scolding her, etc.

My next move, if she doesn't comply, will be to cook her into a stew.....I don't want to do that. Please help!

Answer 1

It sounds to me that the problem is either a learning problem, a medical problem, or a behavior problem.

Cats learn voiding behavior in kittenhood from their mother. If the kitten is from a feral cat, or was taken from it's mother when very young, it might not have learned to properly use a litterbox. However, since the kitten is going near the litterbox, it seems to me that she knows where she is supposed to eliminate waste.

With regard to a medical problem, typically that is associated with a cat that has always used a litterbox, who suddenly starts going in odd places. In this case, it sounds like this kitten has always gone outside of the litterbox, so I would not think it was a medical condition. It still would not hurt to consult a veterinarian to rule out medical problems.

I would think this is a behavior problem. I have always read and heard that a good rule of thumb is you should always have enough litterboxes for each cat plus one (4 total in your case). And each cat has its own personality. If I were to switch from clay litter to clumping litter with mine, I guarantee they would not use the litterbox. I have one cat now that uses a litterbox, but will not allow his feet to touch the litter, instead carefully balancing himself on the edge. My mother has a cat that will only urinate in one litterbox and defecate in another, and would have accidents when I came to visit and my cats used her litterbox.

I think your kitten is trying to tell you that she is not happy with something...maybe the type of cat litter, or the fact that another cat uses the same litterbox. You may be able to try separating the cats for a few days and seeing if the kitten will use the litterbox when no other cats have access to it. If that fails, I would consult a behavior specialist (stores like PetsMart, Petco, and even websites like Purina and Hills can easily put you in touch with a trained behavior specialist).

Good luck!

Answer 2

My mom went house breaking the cats would put a litter pan where the cat may have an accident and gradually move it where the cat can still see if. Hopefully the cat will learn where to use the litter box. Oh and praise your cat when it goes in the right place.

Answer 3

Sauteed with mushrooms and a little garlic would taste better.
Just kidding.
I have a new kitten who occasionally urinates NEXT to the cat box.
Does this cat have any health problems? Maybe she has all the best intentions but does not make it to the box. She could be constipated or have loose stools? Either situation could cause her to miss the box.

Answer 4

I think you could try to pick her up and take her paws and move them in the litter like shes covering her poop or pee. Or mabe its in a inconvinent place. i hope you know not to put the food and water next to the box.rite?

Answer 5

Our cat won't use the box if the litter is scented. We use "dirt" scented litter that you can get at a pet supply store. I can't remember the name, but it's in a red bag and it's by Dr. something.....

Answer 6

Sounds crazy but try adding one more litter box the the house. Maybe she needs that extra box. I've heard it working before.

Answer 7

some cats are very picky...i once had one cat that would pee in one litter box a poo in the other. Try giving her one more box it might help...Some cats even won't go if the litter box is dirty...try cleaning more often..it might help..

Answer 8

it is really simple all you have to do is pick your cat up and push its nose into the cat litterbox so it smells the litter. after that it is just a natural thing to do.

Answer 9

A bag a brick and a walk to the canal springs to mind lmfao.Or stick a cork up it's ***...

Answer 10

Make her sniff it. Place cat in litterbox after she drinks water and eat.