My cat wont use the litter box?

Question

I have 4 cats and 2 litter boxes in my house.All of them use the litter box except one.She used to use it all the time and had no problem with it.I clean it usually twice everyday.Just one day she decided to pee on my bed and poop on the carpet by the front door and shes been doing it ever since.
How can I make her use the litter box again? Do you think I need more then just 2?
Its always clean so I know thats not the problem.So what gives..??
thanks!

thanks for all the answers.My husband went out of state for 2 months and since he left shes been doing it.Maybe she is upset.But i just bought another one.And I put it in a different spot and shes using it!!!Im so happy!So hopefully she will continue!

thanks for the suggestion tay.Ill have to go see if the pet store here has it!

Answer 1

With 4 cats, you might need more than 2 litter boxes. If this is a recent behavior, it could be a symptom of illness - a vet check up to rule that out would be a good idea. Have there been any changes in the cat's environment recently? Some cats will eliminate outside the box when they are stressed or upset about something.

At this point, you will need to make sure you get absolutely all of the odor out of the bed and carpet - cats tend to keep going where there is any previous smell. Nature's Miracle works pretty well.

You might need to confine the cat (with food, water and litter box) in a small area such as the bathroom for a while to retrain her to use the box. When she's using the box consistently, let her out, but watch her and try to keep her away from the areas where she has 'gone' before.

Good luck!

Answer 2

It may also help to add some "Cat Attract" to the litter, if the extra box doesn't help. They make a litter, I've seen it at Petsmart, but it's kind of expensive and means a litter change. It's more cost effective to find the additive online (or some pet stores might have it?) instead, and just add that to their current litter. Somehow it makes the box a much more appealing place to go.

Answer 3

A cat's sense of smell is just as strong as a dog's now that she has marked the bed and carpet even though you can't smell where she peed she can. Contact your vet in regards to what you need to wash the places in to completely rid that area of the smell. Usually something that is offencive to them will work.
As far as getting her to use the kitty litter again Yes get another box and place it in the spot where she has done her business she should go to that area to pee or poo and should use the box as it will available. Cat's are territorial and after marking their territory will return to the same spot again and again.

Answer 4

Take her to the vet. She could have a urinary tract infection. Also, disguss the situation with him. You may have to have a 3rd litter box. Or, maybe you changed kitty litter? If you did, go back to the old stuff. But, it sounds more like an infection to me. A cat just doesn't do that unless something's wrong.

Answer 5

Definitely wouldn't hurt to get one more litter box. Make sure you haven't changed the litter brand, and perhaps have a vet check her out to rule out health problems that she may be tryin' to tell you about, by acting out.

Answer 6

Well, l have the SAME EXACT PROBLEM. l suggest you carrying the poop (in a pooper scooper), to the litter box and slightly covering it up. I heard that this works, and so far l tried it, and it did. Oh ya, and buying one more litter box won't hurt. :)
Good Luck!!!

Answer 7

Yes, I think you need more than 2, maybe one just for that cat because it sounds like the cat is tired of sharing and is letting you know loud and clear.

Answer 8

maybe your cat doesn't like that specific location of the litter box.

Answer 9

well when you see her doing it you grab her an run to the litter box and if that doesnt work you put her nose in it then run to the litter box. it will work your not hurting her your teaching her it isent abuse.