Cat Litter Problems (need help!)?

Question

My cat used to pee outside of my old litter box. He would literally stick his butt over the edge and pee on the side of the box, getting pee on the floor. So I bought a spacious litter box with a cover on it. It can't be a size issue, because my other cat of the same size has no problems with it. He's gone in it before, because I found pee lingering on the sides of the lid to the new box. I keep it clean and scoop it twice a day. Even so, he's been pooping in front of the entrance of it and now he's just started peeing in front of it too! I've had to clean it up three times in the past 12 hours! I didn't change the litter, so I can't think of anything else that could be the problem! Please help.

I have 5 cats, so getting a litter box for each one would be impractical. Also, I can't get a regular litter box because he'll just stick his butt over the edge and pee on the floor.

I'd love a self-cleaning litter box, but it's impractical with five cats. The one I'm having a problem with is skittish about certain things and it'd problably scare him. I'm not willing to risk $90 on something like that.

Well, I just added one of the old, open litter boxes back. The cat I've been having problems with just did his usual thing and stuck his butt over the edge to pee on the floor.

Answer 1

Hi there...generally when a cat begins to eliminate outside of the litterbox it signifies a medical problem such as a bladder infection (UTI), constipation or another problem. When they are are relieving themselves and there is pain while using the box they associate the box with this avoid it.

With a multi-cat household it's recommended that there's one box for each cat since some cats are notably territorial.

Additionally, if/when there's been any changes within the home, new family member, furniture, etc. or change in the type of litter brand, location of the litter box all of these will also contribute to her change in habits.

Here's a brochure on inappropriate soiling by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/housesoiling.html

Answer 2

OK, I'll just tell you what I do. I've had absolutely no problems with litter odor for the two years that I've had my cat. I use Premium Choice litter, which you can only get at a pet store. Every couple of days, I sprinkle Arm & Hammer Kitty Litter Deodorizer in the litter and mix it around. I scoop it out once a day and then immediately take the clumped pee and poop to a trash bin outside -- I don't just throw it in the trash can that's in the house. About once a week, I empty out all the litter and wash the litter box. Also, think about what you're feeding your cat. Certain foods can cause increased odor. If you check the labels of some foods, they'll say that this particular food decreases litter odor (Science Diet is one brand I can think of right now). Hopefully, with all of the good suggestions you've gotten here, your problem will soon be solved and you won't feel that you have to get rid of your kitty. Good luck!

Answer 3

Again this is a behavioral issue. But one thing is a fact, my vet says that you should have one more litter box than the number of cats. Now I know that it is impractical. I have 4 cats and 3 litter boxes, one kitten litter box because of my new addition and 2 deep big hooded litter boxes. One is in the front breezeway and the other is in our bathroom. Some cats are peeved to step into a litter box with others poo in there. Many reasons for this, one it may just be the way he is, two he may not want his genitals next to the dirty litter cause he has a infection going on down there (something to explore with the vet) another is some cats are just dumb like that. My dads cat won't go in the litter box if there is one singe poo in there and he only has that one cat. One thing you could try is getting a litter box with the swinging door on it. That may discourage him from leaning out the door. I would first have a urinalysis done to make sure he isn't having some problems. Other than that I don't know what to suggest. But one litter box for 5 cats isn't enough you should introduce one more. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Cats are very picky about the litter. Try different brands and maybe move the litter box around a bit. Make sure it's not near the food because cats like to keep those places seperate. Also you should call the vet immedetly no matter how this situation turns out because there could be some underlying problem that you don't know about. It could be a urinary track infection which is very common in male cats and my cat almost died from it.

Answer 5

change the kitty litter, some cats are picky.
I was using one kind and I have 4 cats. One cat had same problem and finally after trying just about every kind of kitty litter he likes the clay kind only! Also you can get those training pads for dogs and put in front and around kitty box so you can just pick that up instead of having to clean up all the time. My cats use to want to go all over and I put those pads around with litter boxes everywhere and gradually took them away until we just had one. Also it takes awhile for a cat to get use to a new litter box if you still have old one keep it near the new one for a little while. I bought a new litter box with a cover and kept old one nearby and soon they were all going in new one and I threw out the old one. It takes time and be patient it may take several weeks.

Answer 6

Hi.... I have two male cats. I had the same problem with the one cat.. I don't buy regular litter pans anymore. I go to Walmart and get a storage container. The brand name is Sterilite 58 Qt. They are much cheaper then a litter box. I use them for about 4 to 5 months then just throw them away to use a new one. When I buy them I don't take the lid with me ,I don't need it. No need to cut any holes out they just jump in & out with ease. They are high enough that they can't spray or leak over as long as you don't go over 3 inches of litter.I wash it out with soapy water once a week to put fresh litter in it. I do not use scoopable litter I use the regular . I scoop twice a day. I don't like leaving my litter over a week in the conatiner. I love it... didn't have a mess since I been using it. I hope this helps you as it did me.

Answer 7

Every cat is different. I have 3, my mom has several more. Some cats don't like using a pan another cat uses. Try getting him his own pan or using a multi-cat litter. Also, if he's an older cat, he may have arthritis or the start of a disc problem that's keeping him from fully squatting. In either case, I'd recommend a trip to the vet because he might have an underlying problem. For those out-of-box 'episodes', let me recommend puppy training pads. One of my cats is handicapped - she had a dislocated hip when I adopted her - and she cannot get in and out of a litter pan because her foot gets caught on the edge. I trained her to use puppy pads. You could put a pad in front of the litter pan. That way, if your kitty misses the pan, its easy clean up. Just roll up and toss.

Answer 8

your supposed to have a litter box for each cat +1, maybe he sick of sharing a litter box with other cats?

we Had a smiler problem with my cat. he like to use the back corner of the litter box, but when he was finishing peeing he would start to stand up and get pee outside the box. we got a plastic bin from ikea about 10in deep and cut a hole for easy access for the cats, but he still manages to miss, we got a covered box and no more prob.

here's a web site that might help you..http://cats.about.com/od/litterbox/

Answer 9

Yikes! I don't know, some cats are finicky about how clean their box is. Maybe he wants you to scoop out the old stuff right away.
Maybe try putting a small tray or cookie sheet at the entrance of the box with some litter in it. Maybe he'll go in that instead of the floor.

Answer 10

I SWEAR BY THIS -- BUY THE AUTOMATIC CAT LITTER BOX SYSTEM- ITS $90.00 @ TARGET - AFTER THE CAT PEES & POOPS IT GETS SWEEPED INTO A BAG ON THE SIDE OF THE BOX-- SO ITS A FRESH BOX EVERY TIME- GUARANTEED TO WORK EVERYTIME- I KNOW I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM
BUT IT WENT AWAY LIKE MAGIC AFTER I GOT THE NEW AUTOMATIC CAT LITTER BOX- BY LITTER MAID