how do u get an old cat to start using a litter box?

Question

we have a cat that is 9 years old. the only way to keep her at home is to keep her inside but she wont use the litter box. what do we do?

Answer 1

That is hard. I used a spray bottle (or squirt gun) when training my cats. Every time you catch them squirt them, they hate it and it doesn't hurt them. Also put vinegar wherever you cat has used the bathroom that is not the litter box. They do not like the smell so they won't go there again. You can also try putting several litter boxes in different places the cat goes potty and see which one she uses most and train her to stick with that one.
Good luck.

Answer 2

Find where she usually does her business and then basically fill up a plastic tub with this soil, including some of her poop. I would suggest using a bigger plastic container initially and then once she's used to it, downsize her to a normal kitty tray. Put this tray under the window that she usually uses to exit the house when she needs to go outside, and make sure that the room is quiet. She should use this no problems. After a week or two, start mixing half and half soil and kitty litter. I would also reccommend getting the fine kitty sand, as it will feel more like "real" sand to her. once you have her on 100% kitty litter, change the container to a cat box, and then you can slowly start moving the tray to where-ever you eventually want it to stay, not moving it more than a half a meter at a time!

Good luck, and it can be done, it's kind of reverse training for her!

Answer 3

Hi there, what type of litter are you using, is the litter box big enough for her, remember she had the whole outside for her box. Is it a covered one or uncovered, and does she have privacy to use her box? I have a 12 yr old male that's an outside cat. He got into a fight with a stray and got an infection in his foot. I kept him in for 10 days and had no problem with him using the litter box. He's lived outside his whole life. He doesn't wander cause he's neutered.

Answer 4

You may have to confine her in one room with you in there with her - for a day or two. Put her litter box in the room but sprinkle it liberrally with ordinary garden soil or dirt or yard debris. The reason why you need to be in the room with the cat is so that you can watch for when she shows signs that she is going to potty: digging at the floor, circing in one spot, sqauting. As soon as she shows signs that she is about to go potty, scoop her immediately and put her in the litter box. Once she has succssfully used the box at least twice, she will keep using it - unless there is something about the box that scares her. You just have to be patient with her. After all, she was not born knowing what the litter box is for!

Answer 5

Can you fill the box with sand? Like playground sand that you buy in bags at the hardware store? It will be a little messier than litter...maybe gradually add litter into it....but I am betting a sand litter box is less messy than her going in the house!

Answer 6

i know it sounds mean but if you put it in the litter box then put a cloths hamper on top and keep i tin there for about an hour or two. i bet you thinkig how mena btit works and you can feedem in there if you want or not what evver ut it worked for my cats

Answer 7

it particularly is a puzzling one. would be unable to assert I genuinely have the respond because of the fact there is countless rationalization why kitty refuses the muddle container, inclusive of scientific. Ask the vet to envision him out. here is what i might attempt. a million. New container, new scoopable muddle. 2. better muddle container. may be a cement blend (black) pan got here upon at a ironmongery shop for extra or less $5.00 or so. 3. Confine to one small room, like a bathing room after feeding with the muddle pan. 4. Cats do no longer decide to potty close to their dozing quarters or food section. 5. Scoop the pan (after kitty returns to using it) two times an afternoon. They hate grimy muddle pans. 6. in case you catch him in the act, shout a noisy NO! provide him/her a sprig of water from a water bottle, %. him up and positioned him in the pan and puppy his head. 7. Kitty because of the fact of age may be getting senile. It happens. no longer something lots you're able to do yet stick to him around and sparkling after him/herm or get kitty a infant playpen with some netting around and over it. positioned him in there on your absence from domicile with food, water and the muddle container. sturdy blessing to you and kitty.

Answer 8

The same way you get your Hubby, to lift the Lid!

Answer 9

try putting crap in the box it might help.Try also after she eats take her to the box with the crap in it.That is her crap.

Answer 10

you late sweetie!you cant treat on old cat new tricks, (lol)