My best friend has a cat that has quit using the litter box...?

Question

Besides getting rid of the cat, what can she do? She keeps the boxes clean....why would a cat that has always been litter-trained stop using the box?

Answer 1

Hi there...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)
- as a general rule there should be one litter box for each cat plus one extra as a back up
- kittens who are over 5-7 months can become sexually mature and urine spray as well as defecate inappropriately to mark territory.
- senior cats develop age-related disorders such as chronic renal failure (CRF), hyperthyroidism, diabetes, etc.

If all these have been ruled out, there's a chance that your friend's cat may have developed another underlying medical problem such as something as simple as a lower urinary tract disorder: http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_feline_lower_urinary_tract_dis.html 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

She could try buying some litter box trainer spray and spary this around the litter box. If there are any previous spoils from other animals or her cat she needs to clean them really good to get rid of the smell or the cat will always go there, regardless of litter training! The cat should also be brought to the vet to make sure he/she is in perfect health and it is not a problem associated to this. Also the vet may suggest something good too!

Answer 3

Cats are VERY picky. If there is one slight change in the house the cat doesn't approve of, it will get revenge by going outside of the litter box. Also, there could be medical issues - take the cat to the vet & explain what the situation is, the vet will be able to tell you what tests should be done.
Try getting a new litter box, one with a lid, or without a lid (the opposite what is being used now), different size, different litter, change its position, change its location.
If you decide to move the litter box, remember to place the cat in the litter box so s/he knows where its been moved.

Answer 4

Without observing the cat, it's hard to be certain, but I'd suggest that your friend consult a vet -- it's very possible the cat has a bladder infection or some other sort of medical ailment and is acting out to bring attention to its problem. There are many other reasons a cat will alter its behavior -- another thing to consider would be any significant changes to the household (e.g., an addition to the family... this can be another pet and/or a baby; a move; a drastic change in schedule that keeps the pet owner away for longer periods of time, etc.).

Answer 5

Has she changed the type of litter that she has been using in the past or moved the box from one area to another ? The first would be the preference that the cat has to the first type of litter, the second would be confusing to the cat.

Answer 6

There are many good ideas and answers in this thread. Many of these tips are great. It could very well be something behavioral.

However, first things first, I would suggest your friend make a list of any and all symptoms noticed in the cat -- anything out of the ordinary or new -- and take him into the vet.

Suddenly not using the litter box can be a sign of a blatter infection or a very serious illness such as FIP.

Good luck!

Answer 7

This could be a sign of a health problem. She should take the cat to a vet. I had a cat that went from using the litter box to urinating on the floor. Turned out he had a urinary tract blockage which required surgery.

Answer 8

tell her to lock the cat in a small room with a litter box for a few days and it should start using it again it worked for me tell her to make sure that the places it was going is cleaned extremely good or it may try to use those spots again

Answer 9

I would suggest for you to really clean the litterbox or buy a new litter box,if that doesnt resolve the problem,I would then sugest for you to take the cat to the vet,since there might be a medical problem that inhibits the cat from reaching the litterbox in time to urinate or deficate

Answer 10

Seattle is right on the dot- great advice and everything I could think of listing