I have 12 cats and 4 litter boxes and they are cleaned daily. I have one female cat that hates the other cats and won't use any of the litter boxes. If she has to "go" she uses my kitchen floor. She is older and I hate to throw her outside in the cold weather. I tried to add another litter box in the kitchen but she just does her business right outside of it and the other cats start using the new box. I really don't know what to do with her. Any ideas????
2007-02-19 06:54:13 · 11 answers · asked by Marion W 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Well first of all thats a lot of cats. Second of all the usual rule of thumb is have one more litter box than you have cats. So it sounds like you are short 9 litter boxes. My calico only goes to the bathroom outside the box if it is too dirty. Also if you switched litter (like changing brands or types) that could be a problem. Cats are VERY picky about their litter. That is one of the reasons they say to have more litter boxes and in each litter box have different types of litter. Some cats may like the flowery smell of one litter and some may hate it. I would try getting at least a few more litter boxes or get rid of a few cats. Really unless you watch them very closely I would recommend getting rid of some cats (to neighbors or friends) because how will you know which one is having problems if blood comes up in the urine? Unless you see them actually do it you would have to guess and bring in all of your cats to see which one has a problem. Now I am not saying you dont care for your cats but just make sure you watch them closely. A lady that was a client at the clinic I worked at had 40 cats and she took excellent care of them. She had a sort of shelter for cats. If adding litter boxes doesnt help I would see if a friend or neighbor would take her. Or see if an elderly person might want a companion. Maybe she would do better if she was the only cat or only had one other cat to deal with. That is all the ideas I have. Good luck.
2007-02-19 07:23:36 · answer #1 · answered by Ryne's proud mommy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, 12 cats? Yikes!
If this is a new problem and she's used shared litter boxes in the past I would strongly consider taking her to the vet. Cats will sometimes leave evidence of an ailment in a conspicuous spot. My old cat began to get UTIs and started urinating in the white bathroom sink so we could see that it was bloody.
If she's a new cat to the house she may just object to sharing a litter box. My best advice would be to put some evidence of 'her business' into the litter box and put her in there with it to take care of it instead of just cleaning it up for her. Don't make a big deal about moving it or her, but if she covers it praise and pet her so she gets the idea. If that doesn't work after a week or two of trying she might just be happier in a home with fewer cats.
I wouldn't recommend putting a cat of any age outside when it's cold.
2007-02-19 07:11:06 · answer #2 · answered by Carolyn S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When having multiple cats you should have one more litter box than you have cats. They will still need to be cleaned every day but prevents even the finikiest of cats from using the floor. If you have 12 inside cats you should have 13 litter boxes. I have 3 cats and 4 litter boxes, when I did this my princess stopped using it in the floor and started using her own box. You may want to take her to the vet if this is a new habit, could possibly be a urinary infection causing the behavior.
2007-02-19 07:22:58 · answer #3 · answered by catmomiam 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well I have two cats and two litter boxes and had my female (very persnickety these female cats) decided to start using the corner of the living room as her litter box. Finally I moved the litter to that spot and added another LARGE box, clean them by replacing ALL the litter and wash the boxes out about every three of four days, remove solid waste every day, and keep a deoderizer with the little fan in the wall socket right beside their boxes and I FINALLLLY got her to use the boxes. I would say that yours doesn't sound like she is very happy being in a household with so many other animals. Also I found my male (her brother) would harrass her while she was in the box, so I believe she was stressed and associated going with being attacked. Perhaps your cat is having the same issues. Good Luck
2007-02-19 07:19:34 · answer #4 · answered by La_Liona 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Can be 2 things either she's having problems going poop or pee. As cats get older they due tend to bind up and they have trouble going poop so if thats it add more fiber to her diet. If it is a blockage due to a stone in the bladder then the xray should have shown it or someone miss read the xray. Did the vet mention if the bladder was full when he examined her?? In the mean time if she loses her need to want to eat and continue to hang out in the litter box then take her back to your vet or to the emergency vet. Not good to be plugged up it can make your cat sick maybe even vomit and not eating Good luck to you and I hope your cat gets better
2016-05-24 10:57:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she doesn't like the other cats, maybe she should be seperated from them. Maybe if she has her own room, bowls, and box, there won't be any accidents. It's better than putting her outside or getting rid of her. If you do give her her own box, make sure it is brand new so she can't smell the other cats on it. No matter how much you clean one you already have, she'll still smell them.
2007-02-19 07:03:21 · answer #6 · answered by Hawkeye4077 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is NO reason for you to have 12 cats.
Try getting rid of 9 of them.
Pick 3 that use the litter box to keep.
Quit being a hoarder, and no I'm not being rude just honest.
2007-02-19 07:05:01 · answer #7 · answered by Ecofreako 3 · 0⤊ 5⤋
Feliway makes a pheremone thats is supposed modify behavior. You might be able to find it at petsmart.
2007-02-19 07:07:09 · answer #8 · answered by marina 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have 12 cats? Sounds like you won't be missing much by losing one.
2007-02-19 06:57:14 · answer #9 · answered by Bayne 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
12 cats...sure
2007-02-19 07:11:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anna, 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋