how to fix a cat's behavior problem?

Question

My cat keeps using the house instead of the litterbox (she uses that too). It is not a medical issue. She will use my bed, the carpet, clean laundry. I have not changed types of litterbox or litter, there are less animals in the house now, and less kids in the house now (as well as less stress). I have used Feliway (with success), but can't afford to purchase it on an on-going basis, nor do I feel that I should have to (I work for a vet so I get it at a discounted price) . My cat is only 8 1/2 years old and the only other option that I can think of is to have her put to sleep, but I don't want to do that. I also don't want to place her in a new home and take a chance of the same thing happening there.

Answer 1

I lost a cat once. It was such a stupid thing too. I don't like flying insects in the house. Insects give me the creeps. I had this cat who suddenly started going all over the place. The vet even sedated her and catheterized her to get a sterile sample of urine. No infection. She wasn't just peeing either. Finally, he did a blood profile and her liver was badly damaged. The only thing I could think of was that darn bug spray. We don't use any other kind of poison in our house. No ant traps, there is no roach problem where we live, my cats don't go out. The only poison she could have gotten was a bug I sprayed.

They did have to put her down. I still feel like a dimwit about it. I got a flyswatter. Maybe have your vet do a blood profile to see if it is a medical problem that isn't in her urinary tract.

Answer 2

I would also support kewtber's suggestion of trying the Cat Attract litter as I have had success with it for a recalcitrant cat. Per Smart carries here in northern CA and as they are a national chain you can probably find it where you are.

Also plastic litter pans should be replaced on a yearly or bi-yearly basis. The plastic does pick up bacteria and smells that are imperceptible to humans even if the box is cleaned regularly and the litter scooped and replaced. So that might also be a reason she has developed an aversion to using her box (there should be two for her in the house).

Answer 3

Just a suggestion, if you work for a vet, why not ask the vet? If there are indeed no physical reasons for it... I have found some articles that may help...(in my opinion, this is not a reason to put your cat to sleep, but you do have the option of re-homing her, just let the new pet parents know) The Feliway worked, you could also try Cat Attract Cat litter
http://www.preciouscat.com/
if you can't or don't want to spend the money, again, re-homing the cat is a responsible option or try the suggestions in this article
http://www.geocities.com/meowerpower_99.geo/pets/litterbox.htm

Answer 4

Was she fine adn then the problem suddenly started? If so it could be either stress or an illness. If your cat goes outside then put soil in the litter tray and try that - other wise you have to watch her and retrain her by picking her upand putting her in the tray often and any time you think she might be about to go to the toilet - you have to keep it up until they get it. Cats are very clean by nature and so it's usually something wrong if it's occuring in an older cat. Get her checked over first and take it from there and keep on with the retraining.

Answer 5

I remember when my cat did that for a while. He pissed all over the place and then we found out that he actually wasn't neutered like the ad said he was, got him neutered and that was the end of it.

Then my other cat started pissing and doing #2 all over the place. It turned out that something in the area of the basement scared her and whenever I'd take her down she'd freak out and run back up stairs. I changed the location of the litter box and it was all back to normal.

Please, please, please don't just put your cat to sleep. If you want to get rid of it, put it in a shelter that way it still has some chance at life and re-adoption (if that's even a word). It's better than putting her down all together.

Answer 6

i might additionally help kewtber's suggestion of attempting the Cat attraction to clutter as I actual have had fulfillment with it for a recalcitrant cat. in retaining with smart is composed of superb here in northern CA and as they seem to be a nationwide chain you would be able to desire to probable discover it the region you're. additionally plastic clutter pans would desire to get replaced on a each and consistent with annum or bi-each and consistent with annum beginning. The plastic does %. up bacteria and scents that are imperceptible to human beings no count if the field is wiped clean many times and the clutter scooped and replaced. so because it particularly is a reason she has more desirable an aversion to creating use of her field (there would desire to be 2 for her indoors the homestead).

Answer 7

Are you TOTALLY sure that she doesn't have a UTI ??? If you work for a vet, then why don't you ask them this question ? You have access to their brains so pick them. I used to work for a vet and whenever I had a problem with my cats or ferrets, I asked them outright. If she has a UTI, you need to get her to the vet a.s.a.p. There's no good reason to have to put a cat to sleep unless there is a severe medical issue.

Answer 8

if a cat is urinating in your house all the sudden, it probably has a uti or a bladder infection. but you should consider buying the litter she likes. animals are a responsibilty like children which you should've been financially steady to start getting involved with.

Answer 9

sometimes cats could have a urinary infection that causes them to go in other areas. I know my 1 cat did, took her to the vet and she was fine. don't give her away, too many cats are abused.

Answer 10

Unfortunately you may have to put her down.