Help! Serious cat issue?

Question

I have a 7 year old calico female. She's been to the vet in January and checked out fine. She began protesting by her old littler location, so we moved it to where she was deficating. Now, she is doing it next to the box. If she goes to bed in at all a bad mood, she does it! This is driving us crazy! We cannot be with her all day long, we both work, I'm in school, and we have another cat we need to keep from her!
My hubby wants to get rid of her, but I don't want her to go somewhere where she'll be killed!

Help! What do I do? I adore cats, but even this one is too "needy"!

Answer 1

She could be unhappy with something about the litterbox. If the box has been in use for some time, the plastic may have absorbed odors over time and may smell bad to her, even if you can't tell (cats have VERY sensitive noses). Replacing the litterboxes with new ones may help. If the box is covered, she might prefer an open box, or the box may be too small for her to move around and squat comfortably without feeling too confined. Most commercial litterboxes are too small for a full-sized adult cat. Try a jumbo-sized litterbox, or an 18-gallon plastic tote box and cut a big hole in the side for her to step in, or set a step next to it for her to climb in.

What type of litter are you using? If you're using a scented litter, she may dislike the scent. Avoid using air fresheners or scented cleaners in or around the box for the same reason. If you're using a pellet or crystal-type litter, the litter may be uncomfortable for her paws. Try using a sandy-textured unscented clumping litter such as Cat Attract (available in pet stores - it worked great when one of my cats had box issues).

Do you use a litter mat? Many litter mats have bumps or other texture that is uncomfortable for a cat's paws. Try using a plain carpet doormat instead, or not using a mat & just sweep or vacuum the area frequently instead.

How many boxes does she have available for her? There should be at least one box for each cat, plus one extra, so try making two boxes available to her (some cats prefer one box to pee in and one to poop in).

Is she overweight, or arthritic? Make sure the box entrance is low enough for her to climb in easily, and that the box isn't too far away from where she spends her time, so it's easy for her to get to it if she needs to.

Some cats go outside the box when they're under stress, and cats can be stressed out by things that people may not even be aware of. You mention that you're both very busy and that you have another cat that must be kept separate - both of these are things that could be causing her a lot of stress. This link explains stress in cats, and solutions: http://cats.about.com/cs/healthissues/a/stress.htm
Try to schedule a little bit of time every day with her alone for play therapy - it can really help to ease stress issues:
Play therapy for cats: http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=playtherapyforcats
Also, try Feliway Comfort Zone plug-in for cats, to help with stress & litterbox issues: http://www.petcomfortzone.com/czcats.htm
You can find it at most vet clinics or pet supply stores, or online (though I'd say to get one at a local source since you may want to start using it ASAP).

It may also still be worth considering health issues - it's possible something has developed between January & now, or the vet may have missed something. If she's constipated, pooping may be uncomfortable for her & she may be going outside the box as a distress signal. Or it could be a vision or other health issue. If changes to her litterbox don't solve the problem, a thorough vet check may be in order, and be sure to mention the litterbox issues to the vet.

These links have great info about litterbox problems:
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/Housesoiling.html
http://www.catinfo.org/litterbox.htm

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

if the vet checked her out AFTER this problem and said she as ok then its another issue, other than health. How often do you change the litter? How often do you clean out the messes? Have you cleaned the empty box with any cleaning agent? Is there a lid on the box? Cats will sometimes do this to let you know they're sick, or that the box is too dirty, or that they are not happy with you. If you have a lid on the box, try taking it off. Try scooping the litter before you go to bed and before work. Clean the empty box with hot water and vinegar. Let it soak for an hour and then put in fresh litter. If there are other cats in the house you should have more than one box. I have 5 cats and need 4 boxes that are cleaned each day and washed every weekend. If not they'll pee on the dirty laundry. Keep trying. If all else fails lock her up with food water toys and litter while you're away. I know it wont be happy, but it's better than putting it down, and you may only have to do this locking up long enough to re-train that cat to always use the litter box. Also if you've got the $$ you might want to try one of those boxes that cleans the litter each time that the cat goes. Good luck

Answer 3

Be aware that your cat can have developed an illness since January - that was 3 months ago after all.

However it doesn't sound like an illness, particularly if the poo is normal looking.

I would suggest changing the type of litter you use, very likely the cat just doesn't like it. Moving the box to where she usually poos was the correct thing to do - try a litter type change. Obviously try removing the top of the litter tray if there is one - many cats don't like this.

I don't think your cat is needy. She's a cat, they have needs, this one doesn't sound especially needy. Doesn't sound like your husband cares much for her if he just wants to ditch her at the first sign of trouble!

If you do decide to rehome the cat (perhaps a better idea if you don't feel you can look after her) just find a shelter that doesn't put healthy animals to sleep. There are plenty about. Just ring around and ask, they'll be up front about their policies. Plus you can find out where you cat gets rehomed to so you know the story had a happy ending.

Chalice

Answer 4

You know. I see alot of calico cats that have a problem with litter training, it's like they'll use it sometimes, and then some times not. Most often cleaning the litter right after she messes will encourage her to use it again, I also would recomend using Cat Attract Litter, try these solutions, if they work, they work. But if they don't work; put an add in the paper or something call a local shelter and find out their policies on problem kitties, (euthanizing them?? hopefully not)

Answer 5

Here is a small excerpt taken from something I had in my archived pet information. If you want to keep your cat (getting rid of a 7 year old cat in my opinion would be pretty cruel) you are ging to have to out some foot-work in on this one. Check this out, hopefully it will give you some ideas for a coarse of action to take.

"Veterinary behaviorists can spend hours watching their subjects. What are the animals doing all this time? Mostly, they are engaging in normal, species-typical behaviors. In fact, it can be quite difficult to identify and manage problem behaviors without understanding which behaviors are truly normal. A question commonly posed to veterinarians and behaviorists is: “Doc, is my cat normal?”

It may be said that behaviorists — naturally enthusiastic about their field — do spend an inordinate amount of time watching behaviors that most people would consider to be rather dull. How many cat lovers could truly bear to watch 200 plus hours of cats using their litter boxes in a perfectly routine and appropriate fashion?

Yet without studying all those normal cats, it would not be possible to identify general trends, preferences and habits of cats. And it would not be possible to determine the likely cause for the failure to use a box in this very mundane manner.

Keep in mind that there is no need to give up meals and sleep to study one’s own cats. However, it can be very rewarding to catalog some postures that are commonly observed. This can be done through a written behavioral log. Or you can use a video or photographic catalog to compile information. Try to capture and describe the behaviors that your cat performs on a regular, as well as on an intermittent, basis.

As you begin to identify particular postures and gestures, try to notice the contexts in which they are performed. And if you live with more than one cat in your home, notice the difference in the behaviors between the cats. How do those differences seem to relate to the individual personalities of the cats? And, at the risk of anthropomorphizing, try to guess why your cat engages in a particular behavior. As a behavior is repeated in a particular context, it will become easier to make this type of guess.

The Importance of the Diary
You may ask: Why bother? One important reason is that by cataloguing your cat’s normal behaviors, you will establish a baseline. This can be used as would any other medical baseline. Your veterinarian knows your cat’s normal physiological and biochemical parameters. When you bring your cat for a “not feeling well” visit, changes from your cat’s baseline can be easily determined.

The same principle applies in behavioral medicine. If your cat routinely scratches prior to urination and then suddenly stops, you have some information that may help your veterinarian or behaviorist begin to investigate the reason for the change. Perhaps your cat has a sore leg. Or perhaps he has an aversion to a new litter. You don’t need to wait for lameness or housesoiling to begin. "

From- http://www.catwatchnewsletter.com/

RO

Answer 6

Something caught my attention in your question. You mentioned that you have another cat that you have to keep away from her. Just some questions that came to mind. How long have you had this other cat and could it have anything to do with your calico's behavioral problems? Is she spayed? Is your other cat spayed or neutered? Do they get along?
First, have your vet rule out any medical problems with her, then maybe you can see if it's a behavioral problem related to your other cat or some other household event that may have upset her. I wish you all the best with your kitty.

Answer 7

It's a hard decision, as when you take on a pet, it's for life. To start causing problems at her age, something must be wrong with her, and I suggest you try the vet, before taking drastic action. She may require hormones, or tranquilizers.

Answer 8

You can put her in a travel cage with litter in it and locker up while your gone. She'll have no choice but to go in there and it won't hurt her. They do this in the ASPCA shelters.

Answer 9

If there is a cover on it try taking it off.

Answer 10

take her to the vet and have her checked out.