How do I get my cat to use the litter box again?!?

Question

I bought a covered litter box because I just adopted another cat from the Animal Rescue League about 3 or 4 months ago and the smell with both of them after they went was getting pretty stinky ;) I showed them both how to get in the litter box and stuff and the 8 mo. old cat got it, but my older cat refused to use it and has been going on the carpeted steps instead which really irritates my roommates that live up there. I tried taking off the door and showing here again. I tried just taking the cover off and she still won't use it anymore. I tried putting her poop in the litter box and letting her see it and petting her and the same while yelling... She's also been set on sneaking out of the house for 3 day periods of time when she's been an indoor cat for the past 2 years. She used to never even leave the yard. I don't know what happened. I thought maybe it was because of the new cat but why was she fine with her for the first 4-5 months then?
How can I get my old cat back?!

Oh no, we clean if often, I know cats don't like stinky boxes. Just right after they poop the stink goes wafting through the room. Especially since the one won't bury it.

The younger cat DOES annoy her. She will play with my older cat's tail and they will hiss at each other...I ALWAYS give her a lot of attention. She's like my baby. The new cat is more my boyfriend's cat and she doesn't really like attention so Yuna (the cat in question) is getting my full attention. She just got her shots and everything but I don't want her bringing back fleas to the other cat and I hate the idea that she could get hit by a car

I've been trying a lot of your ideas. Another reason we wanted to use the lid is that my dog is "cleaning the litter box" for us, and we don't want her to...I can't imagine litter being too healthy for a dog. I felt really bad, but I had to put her in the basement after her 15th accident. I gave her food and water and her own litter box. I'm going to see if this works...maybe I'll just have to leave the basement door open...

Answer 1

Try getting another litter box and showing him that that is his. He might be mad, that his litter box is being used by another cat. He's probably not happy that you got another "friend".

Answer 2

I would suggest getting another litter box like the one she had before, and using the tidy cat multiple cat litter.....if she still doesn't use the one like she had before......try putting it in the same location and moving the covered litter box and reshow your 8 mos. old where it is. The 8 mos. old will still probably used the covered one...cats usually like their privacy, your older cat is an exception. If this still doesn't work...your older cat might have urinary problem and need to be taken to a vet...often when a cat has a urinary or bladder infection, they will stop using the litter box for some reason.
Make sure you scoop the litter boxes, very often, and use a good quality litter like the one mentioned above....that should help with the smell considerably.
Make sure you are providing plenty of entertainment for your cat, such as a carpeted climbing tree or maybe she is just needing her spave from the other cat.....maybe put her in a room where only she can be for a while, but don't if this upsets her. Also if they are not fixed.....get this done that will help also. Everything is better with less hormones in your system.

Answer 3

A few things could be happening here. The indiscriminate messing on the floor is a message that she is not happy. Perhaps the new addition is causing her anxiety. It didn't necessarily have to begin the moment the new cat came into your home. There's something that your cat does not like. You mention that your boxes get "stinky". To me this means that you don't scoop often enough. Cats do not like using a dirty box. Scoop them more than once a day. I have three cats, each has their own litter pan, and I scoop before I leave for work in the morning and again after they've eaten their evening meal. I have no odor problems. If you only have one box, get another. Perhaps your older cat does not like sharing the box with the new cat.

She may be leaving for days at a time because she is not happy with the home situation. The only advice I can give you about that would be to make sure she is up to date on her shots. Try to figure ways to make her environment at home more desirable. Maybe by spending some time just playing one on one with her. Keep up with the litter boxes. Try to keep the other cat from stressing her out or upsetting her. Younger cats are usually rambunctious and that can be annoying to an older cat.

Answer 4

I had the same problem with my two cats, I had a male first, he was toilet trained, etc. Then a female followed us home after she'd been thrown out a moving car and the male wouldn't use the tray, instead he would flick litter out of the box onto the bathroom floor and do his business there. I would suggest you do away with the hooded tray, there is really no need for it if you are cleaning it out regularly, plus if your cat is in there doing her business she may be worried that the other cat is going to annoy her while she is trying to go, so, 2 trays would be best, just cheapy's. Never use any product that contains AMMONIA as you are just covering up the mess they've made with more 'mess', so they will return to the same spot over and over. I don't know where you are writing from but here we have a product called 'Urine Off' it's very good, gets rid of the urine germs, plus the smell. Are they both desexed? if not that could be a factor. Get them some toys to play with, maybe a cat gym? I have one and my cats never even try to go outside anymore, well worth it, and will also save the furniture. Maybe your cat has found a friend outside, or sounds like someone could be feeding your cat besides you. Good luck

Answer 5

You really need two litter boxes. Sometimes they prefer one for each of the businesses. And some cats just don't like to share a litter box.

As far as sneaking off, is she spayed?

But one thing really sticks out. You got a cat from Animal Rescue, and it really stinks when they go. A good bet is worms from the rescued cat, and since they share a litter box, now they both have worms. This is a task for the vet, as it may take more than one treatment, and only vet prescribed pills will cover the range of worms they might have.

Behavior changes after a new cat has been introduced is common. You have upset the alpha arrangement. Even though your change is delayed it could be related.

You need to do a thorough job of cleaning the places on the stairs, as she may return to the scene of the 'crime' if she detects her previous scent from before.

Answer 6

I think you should try giving the older cat her own litter box...away from the kitten. It sounds as though she is jealous and feeling neglected because of the new addition. You mentioned the kitten trying to play with her, she may not like this. I have a cat that is strictly a loner. He will not tolerate another cat/kitten. I have also read that when a cat changes litter box behaviour it can be that they are not feeling well and are trying to let you know. In your case though I would tend to think she is just jealous. Give her lots of one on one attention so she can be reassured she is still loved and wanted. If you are afraid something will happen to her outdoors, restrict her to the inside. My cat is 4 and has never been outside. He is happy, clean, disease free and very content to make the house his playground. I would worry way to much if her were outside. Good luck.

Answer 7

Hi. I've had lots of cats so I'll tell you what I think. First of all, you should buy Indoor Cat Formula Cat food. It makes all the difference in keeping the oder down in your litter box. You can also add baking soda to the bottom of your cat litter box. Next, I think that your older cat is having some jealousy problems. You should try giving him some extra attention along with his own space. Feed, water and litterbox in a seperate room all together. They don't like new-comers, especially using their litterbox. I know it may be inconvenient for a while but worth it if you want harmony.

Answer 8

First of all, take your cat to the Vet. he may have a urinary tract infection or some type of other medical problem. You need to thoroughly clean the areas he has went outside the box, maybe even discard items such as rugs or etc. if at all possible. You will probably also need to get something either from the vet or a pet store for odor elimination and maybe a pet training aid such as a spray to keep him from those areas. Definately start with the vet first.

Answer 9

Fresh Step cat litter is really good at keeping odor down. I have three cats, three boxes and you'd never know we had that many cats in the house. I would take the cat to have him checked for urinary tract infection. If that's the problem, start using a good cat food. I have always used IAMS. I know that one of my cats (very scaredy-cat) would never use a pan with a hood on it. I would get rid of the hood and have a couple of pans.

Answer 10

Two cats, you need two boxes! OR Your cat has a medical problem, take your cat to the VET for a check up! There are many reasons why a cat will suddenly not use a box.

Answer 11

buy another litter box and move it to the carpeted stairs, and over the spot the cat would normally go. the cat may use it and after a few days of it using it you can progressively move it further from the stairs and into the spot you want.