My cat wont use the litterbox Please help?!?

Answer 1

Hi there...as a general rule, when a cat stops using the litter box, there are several possibilities to first consider:
- 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)
- as a general rule there should be one litter box for each cat plus one extra as a back up as some cats are very protective of their boxes and block access to another cat
- young kittens when they reach the age of maturity (5-7 months) begin marking territory with urine and need to be spayed/neutered to cease the behaviour
-senior cats (10/11 years and older) develop aging diseases such as chronic renal failure (CRF) http://www.felinecrf.com/what0.htm and one of the many symptoms is EXCESSIVE urination. Hyperthyroidsim is another disease common to senior cats http://www.marvistavet.com/html/thyroid__signs__symptoms_and_d.html

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 by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine of Feline Health about why cats soil inappropriately:
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.

...please consider visiting the website for full details

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disorders (FLUTD): http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_feline_lower_urinary_tract_dis.html

Answer 2

We had the same problem with 2 cats that we got as kittens. Put them in a small room for a week or so and put all their toys all over the room (they don't like to crap anywhere near their play toys). Put the litterbox in a corner that is free from toys and the cat will learn to use the box. Make sure to put their food and water as far away from the litter as possible. This did the trick!
PS: First we tried every brand of litter known to man, and that did't work. The above suggestion did the trick!

Answer 3

If you could give some more info, as to wether or not she is going next to it or completely away from it, The only way we have been able to somewhat stop our cat from doing that, is every time we found little "presents", take her over there make her smell it say no and take her and place her in the litter box, after a few times she started to get the hint, but now she is 12 years old and has decided that like she was when she was 3 years old she is now going wherever she wants to, there is nothing much after that that you can really do, hope it works for you, and know that your not the only one dealing with this problem

Answer 4

Try taking the lid off of the box, she might be afraid of it. Did she used to use it and now doesn't? It might not be a familiar place.

When I was little we would have two or three litter boxes out sometimes for a sick cat.

My cat would climb inside then get stuck from the door being closed. Poor thing tried to push the top instead of the bottom.

A lot of cats are picky about too much poop in their boxes too, try lightly cleaning with a scooper at least once a day or two.

Good luck

Answer 5

I had the same problem with my cat, Taji. If the cat is male and not neutered this is normal behavior. Male cats that roam outside have quite a lot of territory. If the cat isn't allowed outside the begin to "mark their territory" which might happen to be your favorite sweater, unfortunately. Sometimes neutering will fix the problem, but not always. Female cats sometimes will mark their territory, but usually only during mating season. Show the cat repeatedly where the box is. Reward lavishly when your cat goes to the bathroom in the appropriate place. However, don't ignore those little mishaps, scold them for going on your favorite blanket or couch. Eventually, the cat should know where to go. Ask your vet if it persists. The cat might have kidney failure or disease. Good luck!

Answer 6

It could be anything from not liking litter, to the location of the box, to an illness. Start with the most serious and work your way down...you're bound to find the reason.

By illness, I mean it could be a urinary tract infection that the vet can take care of. By the litter, maybe you've go scented and your cat can't handle it. The location needs to be in a "private" area.

Answer 7

well, this site will be helpful then. here you go:Litter Box
Most kittens will understand how to use the litter box if they spent the first few weeks of their life with their mother and litter mates. You can help your kitten to understand what is expected by placing it in the litter box after feeding. Kittens do not need a full-size litter box and might do better in a box with lower sides (about 1 inch).

Litter Box Training
Watch your kitten closely. When it begins nosing in corners or squatting, place it in the litter box. Gently scratch the kitten's front paws in the filler, so it begins to learn that this is the place to deposit and bury waste.

If your kitten has an accident, wipe it up with a paper towel and place the paper towel in the litter box. Then place the kitten in the litter box and repeat the process of scratching with its front paws.

Answer 8

Might be the litter itself. She or he might not like the smell of the cat litter. This is especially true if it is a outdoor/indoor cat. They tend to not like scented cat litter preferring the natural gravel Kitty Litter because it is more like the ground.
also just use a litter pan instead of a totally enclosed litter box. Most cats do not like being boxed in.

Answer 9

Put your cat in the bathroom with only a litter box, and make sure that there are no clothes or towels or any cloth item to pee on. Your cat should use the littler box. Or just keep placing it in the littler box when it looks like it's going to pee or poop.
Good luck!

Answer 10

Hi, this sounds like my situation. About a week ago, I adopted some rescue cats who's mother hadnt taught them anything. They didnt know how to use a litter box or even lap up water. They wouldnt even purr.
Basically, they were both a wreck.

But my family and I trained the kittens to lap up water and they started to purr and sit on our knee like normal cats. The toilet training was the hardest part.

Follow your cat around and whenever he looks like he is going to wee in a corner, pick him up and quickly put him in the litter box. Then, make a digging motion with your hands to show him what to do. If he jumps out, put him back in and try again. Also, if you want to, get some tissue or cotton wool and wipe it on his bum to stimulate him to make him want to go to the toilet.
I swear this works, and ours learnt in about 3 days.

Good luck! + keep me updated! :)

MK

Answer 11

Usually it takes some time. Something you could do is watch them. Any time they get into position to use the bathroom, rush them to the litter box. I have had cats ever since I was born. It usually works!