my cat is not using her litter box?

Question

I HAVE FIVE CATS BUT ONLY ONE THAT DOSEN'T USE THE LITTER BOX SHE USES MY BATHTUB WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Answer 1

I also have cats and one has the same problem. Firstly I recommend getting a second litter box for that many cats. And secondly you may want to contact your vet, it's usually from stress, and they are put on a low level tranq. I stopped using it a while ago after seeing a huge improvement.

Answer 2

I didn't read through everyone's answers all the way so someone may have said this, but I didn't see it. What you need to do is put a litter box in the tub when you are not using it. Then move it out after a day or two then slowly move it farther and farther from the bathtub. Like people said, it might be due to several factors, but you can usually correct this. Another thing you can try is to put double sided tape or roll up tape and put it in your tube. The cat will stop going in because his feet will stick. The other thing could be the type of liter you are using. Was this an outdoor cat? If so try mixing potting soil with litter. Then slowly move to less soil and more litter. I know these things all take time, but it's better then a mess in the tub! I have had success with all of these techniques!

Answer 3

Has the cat always been like that or just lately? Sometimes when the cat pees somewhere other than the litter box it could signal a urinary tract infection. The cat associates the litter box with his pain when he pees, so he pees somewhere else thinking that it is because of the litter box. If this is new behavior I would take her in for a check up and to get anti-biotics if she needs them. If she has always done this, then it is a behavioral problem that you need to nip in the bud. Try spraying her with a squirt bottle when you see her doing things that she shouldn't be doing. Or you could try putting the litter box in the bathtub, then everyday moving it a bit farther and farther until it is in the room that you want it in? Just a thought. Also, you should have a litter box for each cat that you have in the house. I know this sounds like a lot of work, but it's true. Also make sure their food is not near the litter box, cats don't like eating where they poop lol. Good luck!

Answer 4

As a few people have already stated, having several litter boxes may cure this problem. I would also suggest cleaning each box every day. Pick a time of day that is most convenient for you. Stick to it and make sure they are cleaned as much as possible. It is true that cats don't like to go in dirty litter boxes, but there is a good reason for this! How would you like to stand in your own excrement and then have to lick yourself clean?? Yuck?? Cats in the wild almost never go in the same exact spot. You are asking your cat to do something that is not natural for them. The least you can do is to provide several clean areas for them to choose from.
Your cat might also have an issue with one of your other cats. Does she ever get into any fights with another cat? Using the litter box puts her at a disadvantage, once a cat starts to urinate or deficate, it's hard to stop, so if she's afraid another cat will attack her...she might choose a better "hiding" spot to go in. Keep an eye on your cats' to see if there are any agression problems going on. If you see one of the others bothering her, give them a loud "AT, AT!" , shoo them away from her and give her some attention. Getting the message to the other cat to leave her alone may help.
Now, you could try locking her into the bathroom, perhaps over nights, to re-train her to use the litter pan. Put a fresh, clean pan in the room, fill the tub a few inches with cold water and let her figure it out. She's not going to want to releave herself in water, so...she should go for the litter box. Or you could lock her into a spare room. Give her a chance to be away from the other cats and to "forget" about using the bath tub. This extra pan would become "hers" and she might feel more comfortable that way.
Checking to see if she has any urinary problems is a good suggestion too. Again, locking her in a room by herself would be needed. You can place several paper towels over the clean litter and this will show you if she pees, how much, and whether there is any blood in it. If you are in doubt, a vet check is vital.
I hope this has helped. I've been doing feral cat rescue for about 15-20 years now and currently have five cats in my house too. I have three large, covered pans for them and they get cleaned at least once a day. If I skip a day, I run the risk of having my one male cat use the rug right in front of the pans! I can't blame him though...I wouldn't want to use a dirty toilet either!!
Good luck!

Answer 5

Your cat probably doesn't have a health problem but just in case stop by the vet for a check up to make sure it is nothing to have to do with an infection or disease. You absolutely need to get more litter boxes there should be one more than there is cats so you need 6 litter boxes. Put them all around the house. If she has a favorite spot to lay put one near there. She probably needs her own litter box away from the males. I hope I helped.
Best Wishes

Answer 6

I would think you have more than one litter box if not; with multiple cats, you need more than one. Some cats don't like to use a box that everyone else is using. That's way that cat is using your tub, it's always clean. Try getting a small litter box and put it in your tube and see what happens, a covered one so not to get litter all over your tube. All the best;^)

Answer 7

Maybe it's to used for her so I would set up another litterbox up it's best to have more than one with multiple cats. I have two cats and they are fussy I clean it twice a day if I don't they will not use it. So just try a little box for the bathtub kitty and show it to her and never yell at her you may even have to start by putting in the tub for a few days then outside of the tub and then after she's used to it continue moving it to where you want it it may go slow but she'll catch on. Your so lucky to have kittens right now. And you sound like a caring cat lover kudos to you.

Answer 8

You don't state whether you have more than one litter box. If she has her own litter box, then try something different. I highly recommend a pine type litter. It NEVER Smells and creates no dust when you change it. My other suggestion is to wipe the bathtub with Clorox wipes or something similar which would not only disinfect it but also create a smell that would discourage kitty from coming back.

Answer 9

One reason why she probably wont use the litter box is because its either too dirty(she could be a neat cat, and not want to go where other cats go) or she may not like to share her 'bathroom'. It's typical that a cat will not go where other cats do. Something cats wont go to the bathroom if they had already gone in the litter box and left one bowl movement and it wasnt cleaned up. Also she may not want to use it because the other cats scent is in it. Try to give her, her own litter box in a room like the bathroom that only she can go to....see if that works. Good Luck.

Answer 10

make sure that you change the litter regularly..as cats can be very picky about the cleanliness of their box.

one of my cats had the same problem..maybe there's something in the litter that she doesn't like. We switched to a new litter called Cat Attract and ever since, my cat has been using the litter box.

If you decide to try cat attract, you can find it at your local pet supplies plus or another store like that