Is it okay to lock a cat in a single room?

Question

Our 12yr old female cat urinates all over the house. Usualy in the same few spots.
She hardly ever uses the litter box, and this has been going on for quite some time now.
The cat is an inside/outside cat
It is not a super friendly cat.
What do I need to provide for the cat in the room to make it feel comfortable?
Will it ever urinate in the litter box?

Answer 1

Being that she is 12, she could have arthritis. Sometimes that will cause a cat to stop using the box as the sides are too high and its painful to climb in. You could try putting her in a single room. Instead of the litterbox, try a large cookie sheet or other large flat tray with litter on it. If she starts using that, keep her to confined to the room for about 2 weeks so she can form the habit of using the new litter tray. Use that time to clean up every trace of cat urine in other parts of your house. Buy a black light to find it if you need to. All this is assuming you've taken her to vet and she has no infections. If that doesn't solve the problem, I really don't think there's much wrong with keeping her in a single room as long as you spend time with her. One of my cats lives exclusively in my bedroom and is happier that way, she doesn't like my other cats or dogs. I commend you for trying to find a solution to the problem, many people jump to euthanize when these things start to happen.

Answer 2

This situation sounds really difficult =.( I think your cat would feel sad if you took his playmate away now. Almost everyone I've talked to agrees that having two cats is better so that they don't get lonely while you're out. But I think it's not fair to the new kitten that you don't really love him as much. I'm sure animals can always sense these things even if you try to hide it. Try to consider that there are many factors involved. Your cat is now at an age where he was probably going to grow more independent from you anyway. They usually follow you around and act more attached during the kitten stage, but it doesn't always last forever. It's common for a cat's personality and behavior to change a bit as it grows up. It might not be fair to blame this on the new cat. It could be a coincidence, or it could be speeding up the process or exacerbating it. But getting rid of the new cat now is not necessarily going to make everything go back to the way it was before and you should really consider that you may just be expecting too much. If you get rid of the new cat and your old cat still acts different to the way he did before you will have upset both of the cats for no reason. I would try to accept the new situation. They are both still basically kittens and they want to play and frolic a lot at this age. After they get older they will probably mellow out some more and then they may become more affectionate towards you. Also, are they neutered? That usually helps I've heard. But if you really feel you can't accept this new kitten, then please do give it to your friend. It deserves to be in a home where it will be loved and the longer it stays with you the harder it will be for your first cat to see it go.

Answer 3

Sometimes it isn't the cat's problem :( Have you taken it to the vet? Since it is older it may have a liver problem or something else. Did something happen before this started? A move? A new pet? Or has it always done this. I see nothing wrong with locking it in one room while you are gone so long as it has food, water and clean kitty litter but you need to let it out and be social with it when you are home or problems may get worse!

I too have a mean old cat. When I need to keep her out of the way of company I actually give her one of my blankets from my bed that she loves and a pillow from her favorite chair. If it can be a room with good sunlight they love that!

Answer 4

I don't know..I've never heard of a cat not using the litter box unless it was sick? or eye sight problems?

I would ask a vet for their suggestions about how to care for the cat without destroying the whole house.

Answer 5

I would have to say that it is not good to lock a cat in a single room because the cat might feel like your pushing the cat away from you and the cat just might start to act strange.Like for example the cat might start biting you for no reason at all.

Answer 6

I wouldn't lock it in a room...try putting the litter box where she goes and if it continues for about 2 weeks i would suggest taking her to a vet.

Answer 7

Probably too late now. Are you using enzime spray to kill the odor that tells her where to go again? My first wife used to grab the cat, push its face near the urine, slap it gently and say NO firmly then go plant it in the litter. But not a 12 year old cat.

Answer 8

Your cat is trying to tell you she has a urinary tract or kidney infection.

Cats urinate in anyplace but their box when they are sick becuase they don't want to contaminate the box.

You need to bring her to your vet asap and get some antibiotics for about 20 dollars and administer it to her as your vet prescribes (usually 2 daily for about a week).

please do this as she is in pain and it can get worse.

Answer 9

I wonder if the cat is thinking about doing the same thing to you

Answer 10

i think it is ok... if there is air continuosly serculating throug the room.. i dont think it is good for the cat phscologically ..haha.... maybe you should tie it down to the litter box... or... leave it outside for it to go potty out there.. my cat just went to the bathroom outside.. and it was fine...weve locked it in rooms to.. i think itll be fine
good luck