Cat won't use litter box?

Question

We have a kitten who is almost 6 months old. We found him almost dead in the neighbors back yard. The vet felt that he was about 4 weeks old. He has grown to be an amazingly beautiful cat. But, he won't use the litter box! When he was very small we, of course, cleaned up after him but at about 6 weeks we started putting him in the litter box whenever he looked as if he had to go and I thought he got the hang of it. I believe he did use it intermitently. Now he looks for anything on the floor. If someone leaves a towel on the bathroom floor, that's were he goes to the bathroom. If someone leaves part of the Sunday paper on the living room floor that will be what he'll use.
We have another cat who always uses the litter box and we have 3 boxes. I keep them clean and have tried many different types of litter.
Right now I leave a section of the paper next to each litter box and he goes on the paper. But I'd like him to use the litter box. Help!

Answer 1

Most cats naturally begin to use the litter box and do not need training. Your cat may have an open sore on his foot which makes the litter feel rough? For example, when a cat is declawed (which should never be done, but I'm just using this as an example), a special soft litter is necessary until they heel. Check his paws to see if there are any sores which may be why he's not using the litter box. Maybe try a soft paper based litter like Pawpur (not sure how to spell it). I think this may be the problem since he obviously understands that he needs to go in a special place. If he were just going anywhere, then I would feel otherwise.

You can also try this special litter which is meant to attract cats who won't use the litter box: hhttp://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754846&cp=2767033.2845025&pg=2&fbn=Taxonomy%7CLitter&f=Taxonomy%2FPET%2F2845025&fbc=1&parentPage=family&keepsr=1 I really don't think this will help your situation, but it's worth a try. I think this is more for cats who just go anywhere or spray.

You also might want to try leaving your kitten separate from your other cat. Even if the cat is not bullying him, he still may have a fear of using the litter box in the presence of the other cat.

Answer 2

You CAN fix this problem. Begin by confining him to a small room like the bathroom or bedroom. Bathroom usually works best. The room with the least "stuff"(towels, papers,etc) on the floor the better. Provide him with food, water, bed, toys, and of course litter box.

You've got the right idea about how to start. Make sure the ONLY paper he finds is IN the litter box or sticking up from it slightly so he sees it. A good idea might be to start with a cardboard box(since he likes paper so much) cut low with some paper in there, since he likes the paper so much. Confined to a small room he should start peeing and pooping in there regularly. Once he is using it start cutting the paper in strips. If that works out start adding some real cat litter and using boxes with slightly higher sides. Gradually increase the amount of litter and reduce the amount of paper strips. This should work.

In the meantime you can go around the house to any places he peed and clean any remaining urine smell so he won't be tempted to go outside the litter box again. Use a product like Nature's Miracle that you can purchase from pet stores.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2750968&cp=2767033.2768984&fbn=Taxonomy%7CStain+%26+Odor&f=Taxonomy%2FPET%2F2768984&fbc=1&parentPage=family&keepsr=1

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

You have a finicky kitty on your hands. My 19 mo. old one has ruined a couple carpets. My girl wouldn't go in the crystal litter and she didn't like the cover, either. So, now she goes in the box without the top on and she uses the Arm and Hammer clay litter. I don't trust her, yet. So far, so good.
How about putting what he's left into a box of your choice so he can smell that his leavings are there? Maybe, he doesn't like the cover or he wants the litter to be really deep. And pray. Good luck. This was my first to have litter issues, as well.
C. :)!!

Answer 4

You clean it daily? Do you besides would spray a disinfectant into the field and wipe it out? you could attempt doing that, too. I clean my cats' (5 cats) packing containers another day. i exploit Odo-ban to wipe out the packing containers and that i exploit a deoderizer, like Tidy Cat or Baking Soda formerly pouring the clutter in. This cuts down on the scent immensely. the washing room is an the two undesirable concept, because of the fact it gets moist and moist in there... plus, what if Kitty has to apply the field, while somebody is taking a tub? If the field is clean, there rather isn't any well-being reason to maintain the field out of your room. My niece has a clutter field in her room for her little cat that loves basically her. **EDIT** Having cats, potential putting up with a undeniable quantity of scent... you besides would would desire to shop a window open... in case you employ clumping clutter, scoop, many times, besides to changing the field daily. additionally, what varieties of meals are you feeding your cat? supply her dry foodstuff strictly, and dodge canned foodstuff, as canned foodstuff makes for smellier poo. additionally, dry foodstuff is greater applicable for the long-term well-being of your cat's tooth. the sole way the cat field would have urine ammonia build-up, is while you're actually not changing AND cleansing the litterbox daily or frequently. that's a factor of the duty of cat possession.

Answer 5

Put the paper in the box. Gradually, very gradually, reduce the size of the paper.

Answer 6

place your cat in his litter box.
make sure it's clean and make sure he stay's in there while you're doing this.
grab his paw and start scratching the litter.
then you do it. if he tries to walk out grab him and keep trying it.
i did this with a kitten i found it worked.
but he died the next day. very sad. . . i still cry.
anywayz, hope i helped.