My Male cat won't use the litter box!!?

Question

I have a male cat and he loves to use my curtains and my rugs as his "pee place". He does use the litter box for bowel movements but nothing else. I keep it very clearn, and have tried several different types of litter. Please Help!!

Answer 1

Hi Melissa...if this is something that recently developed, first consider all the possibilities such as:
- kittens over the age of 5-7 months become sexually mature and will urine spray if not spayed/neutered. If your kitten is neutered then look to the following:
- 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

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.

How can I stop my cat from spraying?
Because spraying is different than other types of house soiling, different tactics are necessary to manage it. First, because there are often hormonal components to spraying, any intact animal should be neutered or spayed. Next, identify the stimuli that cause your cat to spray. If outside cats are responsible, motion detectors that trigger sprinklers can be used to deter them from coming onto your property. Additionally, you can discourage your cat from looking outside by closing blinds or shades, or by placing double-sided tape or electronic mats that deliver mild shocks onto your windowsills.

Address possible sources of frustration that may be causing your cat to spray. For example, introduce a new diet gradually, or discontinue it until the spraying is under control. Increasing the amount of playtime for an under-stimulated cat may also help ease frustration.

Spraying can also result from territorial disputes between cats in the same household. They may need to be separated and reintroduced slowly, using food treats to reward and encourage peaceful behavior.

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.

Urine Spraying
When your cat rubs against your leg with his face, or scratches his scratching post, he is also depositing his scent from the glands in his cheeks and paws. Another equally normal but less pleasant marking behavior is urine spraying--the deposition of small amounts of urine around a given area. Spraying announces a cat's presence, establishes or maintains territorial boundaries, and advertises sexual availability.

Cats usually spray on vertical surfaces, like the backs of chairs, or walls. They don't squat to spray (as they do to urinate), but the tail lifts and quivers, and small puddles of urine are left in several consistent locations. Cats that spray are usually unneutered males and, to a lesser extent, unspayed females, but 10% of neutered males and 5% of neutered females also spray. In households with more than seven cats, the likelihood of spraying is high.

Cats may spray when they perceive a threat to their territory, such as when a new cat enters the home, or when outside cats are nearby. New furniture and carpet smells can prompt spraying as well. Cats may also spray out of frustration resulting from factors—like restrictive diets, or insufficient playtime—often wrongly perceived by humans as revenge.

...please consider visiting the website for further details

Male spraying and neuter: http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_neutering_the_male_cat.html

Answer 2

I first would make sure your cat has been fixed. Male cats spray thier territory so they are not reaqlly peeing but marking what is thiers. If he has not been nuetered then plewase do it. He may never stop spraying though once they start If he is fixed try this litter Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat "Cat Attract" Cat Litter I have never had this issue but i heard this litter is good for that. I found it on the internet. I would also maybe confine your male cat into a small room for a while like a bathroom with all food and water and litter box and hopefully he will get used to using it for peeing. It does sound to me though that he needs fixed.

Answer 3

Are you pronouncing that you just use the identical litter for two or three weeks? That may be a particularly long time IMO. I throw out all the litter a week and put in new litter. I easy the litter of clumps 2 or three instances a day. Natures Miracle makes a product referred to as litter remedy that neutralizes urine odors.

Answer 4

The use of the curtains suggest he is spraying or marking his territory. Is he neutered? If not then do so. Do you have more than one cat-give him his own box.

He could have a urinary tract infection-which is painful. He could be associating the pain with the litterbox and avoiding the box. Take him to the vet.

Answer 5

There could be several different reasons for this...
Do you have a female cat or any other cat that uses the litter box?
If so, they don't like shareing litter boxes let alone shareing with a female, females tend to have a strong smell...

Is it an enclosed box?
If it is enclosed it may be to small or he may be claustrophobic

Answer 6

A male cat who has not been neutered or has a urinary tract infection will do that!!! Please take him to the vet!!! My 1yr. old cat stopped immediately after being neutered and he sprayed EVERYTHING in site, prior! My friend had an adult male (3yrs) doing the same thing and he eventually had to have surgery due to a blocked duct in his urinary tract. (Males are more prone.) Both cost a couple hundred dollars, but well worth it and problem solved in each immediately. Don't waste time with your baby!! He could be very sick!!! Animals are people too!!!!! :) If you cannot afford it, please consider an animal shelter (no kill) and foster care. Good Luck!!!! (Males will always SPRAY....unless neutered at an early age!) You may be able to find a discount spay/neuter clinic in your area!!!

Answer 7

are you announcing that you just use the identical muddle for two or three weeks? that's a particularly very long time IMO. I throw out all of the muddle each and every week and installed new muddle. I blank the muddle of clumps two or three occasions an afternoon. Natures Miracle makes a product referred to as muddle therapy that neutralizes urine odors.

Answer 8

When he does his business try rubbing he,s nose in it (#1 or #2 ) and then put him straight in the box after giving him a slap on the nose and chastising!!!If you can catch him during the act pick him up half way through and repeat above !

Answer 9

Get him fixed, Get him his own litterbox. Trust Me.