My 18 lbs. adult male cat uses the litter box most of the time. But sometimes, he goes on the rug in the bathroom next to it. We clean the box once a day, and haven't changed the litter brand recently. He shares the box with a younger, 10 lbs. male who is very, very clean (covers up the larger cats messes for him sometimes!!!). Haven't had this problem before. What could be causing him to avoid his litter box?
2007-04-22 15:19:56 · 17 answers · asked by Jay 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
"It's common for cats to begin eliminating outside of their litter box when they have a medical problem. For example, a urinary tract infection or crystals in the urine can make urination very painful. Cats often associate this pain with the litter box and begin to avoid it. If your cat has a house-soiling problem, check with your veterinarian first to rule out any medical problems for the behavior. Cats don't always act sick, even when they are, and only a trip to the veterinarian for a thorough physical examination can rule out a medical problem"
For more info on litterbox behaviour see:
http://www.sspca.org/Cats/LitterboxProblems.html
2007-04-22 15:30:38 · answer #1 · answered by Mama_Kat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many reasons he could be not using the litter box. You indicate the size, but not the age. How old is the cat? I have an adult male (19 years old) who has joint issues and can't climb into the litter box so he goes right next to it. Since I know his issue is simply age and old joints, I've been putting 'pee pads' down next to it and he uses them happily.
But other reasons could be a urinary tract infection or simply he doesn't like using the same litterbox. General rule of thumb for cats is 1 litterbox per cat plus 1 extra so if you have 2 cats, you should have 3 litter boxes.
Cats do not like to use dirty places so even though the other cat covers his waste, the one may not like to go in the same smelly spot.
Another problem might be the litter. have you changed brands recently?
Also, do you use litter liners in your box? Plastic litterboxes will retain odors. Litter liners alleviate that problem.
Cornell University has an excellent behavorial program for felines online. I'm including a link to their article on house soiling.
2007-04-22 16:39:16 · answer #2 · answered by captainjackswench 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with baron, you might need to get another litter box. I have a male and female cat and have to use 2 because of the same problem. Especially if you haven't had the other cat for very long. You should probably talk to your vet as well to make sure it might not be something more! Hope this helps!!
2007-04-22 15:26:39 · answer #3 · answered by alaskagirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are alot of reasons why a cat would urinate outside of his litterbox. First of all, you should take him to the vet to rule out any medical conditions. Also, you should have 1 more litterbox than the number of cats in your house, so if you have 2 cats then have 3 litterboxes. Cats also urinate to mark territory. Is he neutered? If not then getting him neutered should help. Even changes to the household could cause this behavior like changes in schedules, any renovations, more or less people living in the house.. basically anything he isn't used to could set him off. Probably the best thing to do is have him looked at by the vet and if it isn't a medical problem then the vet could discuss possible causes and solutions to this behaviour.
2007-04-22 15:49:42 · answer #4 · answered by n v 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Last year my beautiful Manx cat Theodore went out for the evening and never came back. I love cats and the house didn't feel the same without one, so I picked up Lola from a rescue centre. She was very frightened and would pee all over the house. I found Cat Spraying No More� on the internet and the techniques worked almost immediately. I haven't had a problem with Lola since. Amazing! Can't stop your cat peeing in the house? Then worry no more...
2016-05-21 04:04:15 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The question you need to ask yourself, how long have you had the other cats. Maybe he dont like sharing with other cats some cats dont...like my cat for chance. Lol also he might not like the brand of kittie litter you are getting so switch it up a bit!
2007-04-22 15:24:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Remove all scent of cat pee from the area, because the smell will remind him where his bathroom area is. Maybe put the litter box over the spot so he will go in there.
2007-04-22 15:22:25 · answer #7 · answered by Angelacia baybeeeeee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kitty #1 wants a separate litter box!
2007-04-22 15:23:08 · answer #8 · answered by Double O 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
could have a urinary tract infection or feline lower urinary tract disease. Take him to the vet.
Some cats are too fat to fit in the litter box too and hang over the box...causing them to pee outside of it...
Also, as a rule you should have as many litterboxes as you have cats plus one.... helps elimate litterbox blues.
2007-04-22 15:25:21 · answer #9 · answered by Jai Jai B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
how long have you had the other cat......if the older cat has been doing it since you got the younger one it is being teritorial. but male cats are also well known for sparying their males so there stubborn so you need to get him fixed
2007-04-22 15:25:26 · answer #10 · answered by sarah h 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋