Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / March 2004
Cat does not always use litter box, he goes on the carpt.
|
|
Thread rating:  |
Brian - 15 Mar 2004 22:03 GMT Cat does not always use litter box, he goes on the carpt.
I have been trying to fix a cat urination problem for quite a long time. I'd like to replace the carpet in my living room, but I don't want the cat to urinate on it. So, I'd like to fix the cat problem first.
He is a 5 year old male cat. He is fixed and never sprays like some people talk about.
I have two litter boxes for my cat, one is in the bathroom and the other is next the dryer off of the kitchen. I empty them every few days. He uses these litter boxes on a regular basis. However, he also may go on the carpet or even at times defecate on it. And once he does he tends to visit that spot more frequently until I treat it with an enzyme product. There are two particular areas in the living room that he likes to do this on, but these areas are not exclusive. He always goes next the wall, never in the middle of the living room. He also seems to prefer places that are behind pieces of furniture or in a corner. This always happens down stairs, never upstairs. I've treated these areas with several types of enzyme products (in particular: Enzyme D by Big D Industries). It helps for a while, perhaps because these spots are wet and don't smell good, but it happens again and I start the process over again.
Also, recently I have removed the carpet and padding from one particular problem area. I threw the padding away and I soaked the carpet and sub floor with an enzyme product. Then I painted the sub floor with an odor sealer called Kills'. However, I caught him in the act at this location the other day.
What can I do to train him to always use the litter box? Any good books? Any good web sites?
Please respond to this newsgroup. Thanks, Brian
Karen - 15 Mar 2004 22:56 GMT First you must see your vet to rule out physical problems. Once you have done that try adding additional cat boxes and get some Feliway (available at pet stores). Most likely this is some kind of recurring infection, cystitis or other problem that has also become habit. Keep the boxes really, really clean. Scoop often.
Karen
> Cat does not always use litter box, he goes on the carpt. > [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > Thanks, > Brian Crdamz - 16 Mar 2004 02:16 GMT I heartily agree about the possible health issue. Most often, especially if the cat has been well behaved previously, a urinary infection can cause this change in behavior. Males, too, have a particular problem if they develop stones in the urinary bladder---very painful! You see, the cat associates the pain it feels when trying to void with the BOX ITSELF, that's why the change in behavior. I know it sounds like alot to do, but after the vet visit (whether an infection is found or not) try buying a new litter box (diff color, maybe?) and maybe a new location to help him get over that 'pain association' thing he might be dealing with. Certainly, talk to your vet about the problem, whether you take the cat to be seen or not, mine is a great fount of experience and information! I have 2 females and only one litter box, but they are both very good about using it, and there has NEVER been any confusion about where we do our business. I HAVE caught both of them, however, digging at a particular "sweet spot" on the rug. I don't know what the last tenant spilled there, but it drives them crazy. Is it possible your cat was first enticed to these spots by smelling something there, too? You could have brought in something on a shoe or something. I know I've gone on a bit, but I hope something I've said helps. And, I really hope you are able to cure him of whatever the problem is, so you can keep him AND get new carpet to enjoy. You do seem like a concerned pet owner and it would be a shame if you had to give him up! Take care, -Cindy
zuzu22@webtv.net - 16 Mar 2004 04:02 GMT >What can I do to train him to always use >the litter box? You said you empty the box every few days. That is likely the reason your cat will not use it and pees elsewhere. Would you step barefoot into a 15" x 20" that had 3 or 4 days worth of urine and feces in it? Of course not and you shouldn't expect your cat to either.You should use a clumping litter and scoop the box twice a day, removing all urine and feces and wash the box and change the litter completely every few weeks *before* the litter starts to smell. Cats are fastidious creatures and do NOT like a dirty litterbox. Yours appears to be extra picky and you need to make sure your cat has an extra clean box. Scooping twice a day is simple to add to your daily routine and will require no more than one or two minutes of effort each day.
Megan
 Signature
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
-Edmund Burke
Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com
Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22
"Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way."
- W.H. Murray
Steve Touchstone - 16 Mar 2004 18:51 GMT >>What can I do to train him to always use >>the litter box? I agree with the other posters, the first step should be to eliminate any possible medical reason by visiting the vet. Unfortuantely, cats are somewhat prone to urinary problems, at least in my own unschooled opinion.
I think it may be because they evolved as true predators, much more so than dogs, and their bodies expect to get a lot of their needed moisture from food. Along comes the invention of dry food, which makes it more convenient for people, but leaves many cats dehydrated on a semi-permanent basis.
>You said you empty the box every few days. That is likely the reason >your cat will not use it and pees elsewhere. I must have skimmed through that OP and missed this part. I've read that it's best to have one more box than the number of cats. But I don't know how true that is. I don't meet that standard, with three cats in my small apartment, I'd have a box in every room. I don't really know how often I scoop the boxes. It's just habit for me to scoop them when I see they've been used, and then before turning in for the night I sweep up any litter which has spilled out of the box.
One of my three insists on a clean box. If she goes to a box and finds it dirty, she goes to the other one. If both fail to meet her standards, she finds me and complains, rather loudly.
It could be that the OP has a fussy cat that simply refuses to use a dirty box. Maybe it would help to get a second box, and clean both more often.
Also, if I remember the OP correctly, there seems to be one area of the carpet where most of the offenses occur. I'd try putting that new box in that area. And as the cat gets used to using it, gradually move it to an inconspicuous spot in that room, if possible.
 Signature Steve Touchstone, faithful servant of Sammy, Little Bit and Rocky
stouchst@JUNKsirinet.net [remove Junk for email] Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html
|
|
|