My 11 year old cat has stopped peeing in his litter box. What can I do?

Question

My 11 year old cat won't pee in his box anymore. He pees anywhere he wants whether it's on furniture or the floor. It doesn't seem to do anything if I discipline him. It started when we accidentally closed the door one day where his litter box is and he couldn't get to it. He therefore peed wherever he could and now won't pee in the box anymore. He's a wonderful cat and never messed in the house before. Is it possible to retrain a cat to use their litter?

Answer 1

Hi Jen...if this is something that recently developed, first consider all the possibilities such as:
- changes with litter brands
- location of the litter box isn't private enough
- some cats like to have one box to defecate and another to urinate
- cleanliness (some cats are very finicky and prefer a super clean box)
- box may not be large enough
- box may be too exposed ... a covered box feels more private
- box may be too confining so an open box may be better
(consider experimenting to see which may be contributing to the problem)


If all these have been ruled out, there's a chance that your cat may have developed another underlying medical problem which can contribute to accidents outside of the box. Cats will associate pain while using box and change their habits as a result.

Here's an article about why cats inappropriately soil outside their litter box by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/Housesoiling.html

House soiling is the most common behavior problem reported by cat owners. It includes urination and/or defecation outside the litter box, as well as urine spraying.

Why do cats eliminate outside of the litter box?
One common misconception is that cats soil in inappropriate places for revenge. It is tempting to conclude, "He defecated on the living room carpet to punish me for leaving him for the weekend." But this kind of calculation requires sophisticated cognitive abilities that cats aren't believed to possess. Furthermore, this conclusion assumes that cats view their urine and feces as distasteful, when in fact they do not. It is only we humans who view it that way.

Medical Problems
So why do cats urinate or defecate on your bed or carpet? Medical problems are one possibility. Inflammation of the urinary tract may cause painful or frequent urination, inability to urinate, bloody urine, and crying during urination. An affected cat is likely to eliminate outside the litter box if he comes to associate the box with painful urination, or if he has an increased urgency to urinate. In addition, kidney, liver, and thyroid diseases often lead to increased drinking and urination. Inflammation of the colon or rectum, intestinal tract tumors, intestinal parasites, and other gastrointestinal conditions may cause painful defecation, increased frequency or urgency to defecate, and decreased control of defecation. Age-related diseases that interfere with a cat's mobility (for example, arthritis, nervous system disorders, or muscular diseases), or with his cognitive functions can also influence his ability to get to the litter box in time. In short, any medical condition that interferes with a cat's normal elimination behavior can lead to house soiling.

Litter Box Aversions
Behavioral problems, such as litter box aversions, inappropriate site preferences, or urine spraying can also lead to house soiling. An aversion implies that there is something about the litter box that your cat finds unsavory. It could be the box, the litter, the location of the box, or all three.

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Answer 2

Last yr my beautiful Manx cat Theodore went out for the evening and on no account came back. I love cats and the house didn't suppose the identical without one, so I picked up Lola from a rescue centre. She used to be very fearful and would pee all over the apartment. I found Cat Spraying No extra� on the net and the procedures worked nearly right away. I haven't had a concern with Lola when you consider that. Effective! Can not stop your cat peeing within the condominium? Then worry no more...

Answer 3

Last year my beautiful Manx cat Theodore went out for the evening and never came back. I love cats and the house didn't feel the same without one, so I picked up Lola from a rescue centre. She was very frightened and would pee all over the house. I found Cat Spraying No More� on the internet and the techniques worked almost immediately. I haven't had a problem with Lola since. Amazing!

Can't stop your cat peeing in the house? Then worry no more...

Answer 4

If your cat never did this before and you haven't made any changes to the litter box (like type of cat litter or location of the box), then I would say it's a good idea to take your cat to the vet to check for health problems.

I know vets can be costly, but if there is something wrong and you wait, then it will only be more expensive and your cat will become more ill. Good luck.

Answer 5

final twelve months my pleasing Manx cat Theodore went out for the night and not in any respect got here back. i admire cats and the residing house did no longer sense an analogous without one, so I picked up Lola from a rescue centre. She replaced into very demanding and could pee everywhere in the residing house. i got here upon Cat Spraying No More� on the information superhighway and the concepts labored almost at latest. i haven't had a undertaking with Lola when you consider that. surprising! won't be able to end your cat peeing interior the residing house? Then undertaking not extra...

Answer 6

it sounds like he is mad at you, but it could also stem from a medical condition. being as old as he is, he may have some kind of infection, bladder or otherwise, as cats are prone to this kind of thing as they age. get him checked out first to make sure it is not medical, and ask the vet for advice, they are really helpful with that kind of behavoral thing. I don't know if you will be able to retrain him. In the meantime, you can pick up some of those puppy pads (for training dogs) and put them where your cat has been peeing to save the floor. good luck

Answer 7

I would recommend isolating your cat with the litter box in a separate room. I would recommend the garage or a spare bathroom. Make sure you leave food and water with him at all times. After a few days the cat should be back into routine.

Answer 8

Have you even thought about taking the cat to the vet. it is possible that your cat could have a urinary tract infection or other medical condition. If this is not the case then your vet can aid you in changing behavior.

Answer 9

yes, and there is practically no way to get cat urine out of carpet or furniture, I've tried EVERYTHING out there, the only an best thing I've found is to pour vinager on it, let it soak in, dry up, then pour baking soda on it, rub it in, and vaccuum it up after a couple of days, if you have padding on the back of the carpet it may not work.

If your cat is now, after 11 years starting to go outside the litter box, he may be ill...I would take him to the vet for a very through check up.

Answer 10

You could try moving his litter box and see if that helps. Also, is it possible he is developing arthritis? If it pains a cat to climb in to do his business..he won't. You may need to buy a litter box with lower sides or an opening that is cut out on one side to make it easier for him to climb in.

Answer 11

I would have him checked by a vet. Cats DO NOT like to go outside of their litterbox. Going to the bathroom outside of their box is a red flag that something is wrong. If your cat has also increased it's water consumption it may have feline diabetes.