Is an older cat retrainable?

Question

I have a 5 year old cat that has decided she don't like her litter box anymore! She is using anything she can find in the basement to go potty Is she retrainable?? Please help! I love her so much & don't want to but I will have to give her up If I can't fix this problem.. :-(

Answer 1

Have you made any changes? Litter? Litter box? Location? Soap you use to clean it with?

Make sure you get the accident cleaned with something like Natures' Miracle or another special pet stain remover so she isn't tempted to repeat the accident.

I tend to think, since you're using the word "anything", that she could use a trip to the vet. If she had a favorite spot or two, I wouldn't be as concerned that something is physically wrong. Better to be on the safe side though.

Also, if there is a new cat in your home or even one she sees through the window, that could cause her to misbehave. Any new people in the house? Have you recently moved? Cats are territorial and get fussy when things are different in their surroundings.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Switch to a litter that doesn't have any perfume scent to it, an awful lot of cats just get fed up with what they consider stinky litter. The smell of the perfume forces them away from the box.

Try just a plain bag of playbox sand, in an emergency, just about ANY cat will use that gleefully and gratefully. You'll have to scoop whenever it's used (don't let it sit for two or three days), but it often helps in cases like this. Keep it as clean as possible and replace sand as needed.

Some of the clumping litters are good too, but get one without a scent to it.

Answer 3

Cats don't usually make decisions like that- usually there is a change in conditions in the litterbox. Is is clean? As in- no ammonia smell at all? Maybe you changed it's location from where she is used to? If there is absolutely nothing different about the litterbox, your cat may have a health problem and only a vet can diagnose it but i truly doubt the cat has lost it's training. It's not in their nature.

Answer 4

it is possible but it will be harder becaus she's older. put the litter box in the basement since she seems to like it there. when she goes down there, follow her down and place her in the litterbox. hopefully she'll get the idea

Answer 5

if she never did it before & suddenly started this, she may be sick. pooping in places other than their boxes can be a good sign something is wrong. or, if you just had a new addition to the family, like a new pet or baby, or a recent move can stress an animal out & make them misbehave like that.