A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

Cat and litter box problem

Posted: Jun 1, 2015

Long story short (I wish): I realized our cat was peeing on the new carpet in the family room. She has 2 litter boxes and has always used one for pee and one for poop, but as she in an indoors/outdoors cat, she rarely uses either box except in winter.. We took her to the vet who said that he didn't think she had a UTI but that she might have/have had an infection of the vulva (blank stare from my husband at that point). The vet gave us meds which we used without really knowing if she did have an infection or if it had cleared up or what. All this time she was acting normally except for peeing on the carpet. She has always and continues to use the poop litter box. The problem is that she never uses her pee litter box, and although we cut off her access to the family room, I think she may have peed on area rug, but I'm not sure if it was before the meds or after. I am afraid to be gone from the house longer than overnight in case she pees somewhere! My thought is that she associates peeing in the litter box with pain so obviously doesn't want to use it. I have switched out the litter for a different kind, but she still won't use it. Any suggestions? I've thought of confining her in a room with just her food and litter boxes but am wondering if that's too extreme and I'm overlooking something simple.

;

Litter box issues are always tough. I have several - thoughts you could consider. SM

[ In Reply To ..]
I assume the litter box is kept clean, scrupulously? Scooped out every day at least, if not twice a day?

How about the box itself, does she have any problem with the type of box; covered, not covered, shape, depth, etc?

Keep the same litter in both boxes is the best.

Nothing else in that area that might spook or bother her, cause her to avoid the box?

Is there any way possible, for even one day or part of the day, you can be with her and watch her like a hawk to see when she starts to squat, scoop her up and take her to the box? Reinforcement method, maybe you can get an idea of why she doesnt want to use the box to pee?

Maybe try keeping only one box, the poop box? She may associate the pee box with pain on urination, that's obviously why they go outside the box (or anywhere) is the urge/pain hits them and they try to get rid of the pain by peeing wherever they are at any point.

I had a female with UTI once and she'd squat wherever at any given time without notice and try to pee. Poor little thing, took us a week of antibiotics to clear that up and we've never had a problem since.

I hope some of this might help, or someone else has ideas to offer. I don't know what else to suggest.

Maybe find an online forum with cat behavior experts, post the question there, or consult another vet?

ideas - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I assume you did not change litter. Some of the perfumes they put in litter can turn a cat off, if isn't their normal perfume.

Is she flooding the box or spot. This could be renal insufficiency, precursor to failure. Precursor can last a long, long while. Does it smell strong? Probably not renal insufficiency if it smells strong.

Unusual for female cats to have UTIs. Did you say it was new carpet? The smell of the carpet might have turned her off and she is trying to "cover" it.

Ideas as to what to do? Give her a completely new pee box. Get a bio-killing deodorizer and use liberally on spot. Unfortunately, you have to get rid of just about any remnant of the pee smell, or they just keep going there, again and again.

I have a cat that's currently doing that, but - I think its because she is - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
old (16) and is in the early stages of kidney failure. She drinks a LOT of water, and pees frequently. Sometimes I think she just can't make it to the box. Other times, she likes to sneak off into the bathroom (which is unfortunately carpeted) or under the desk in my bedroom to pee. She was doing it in the hallway, and putting a little box there has helped for that area, at least.

When I'm not here to monitor her, I keep the bathroom and bedroom doors closed. There are 4 other litter boxes in the kitchen, near the back door, which she uses, as well, and those are shared with my other cat. So far I expect her particular problem to get worse, not better. :( This is compounded by the fact that I no longer have a sense of smell, and if I don't catch her in the act, I have no way to tell where she's peed the carpet unless I use a black light at night, which is sketchy at best, but better than nothing. I try to clean her messes ASAP by blotting and then using a lot of "Nature's Miracle".

My other cat was a hard-core litter box avoider for the first few years I had her. After trying every possible remedy for the situation, including every litter known to man, her particular answer was that she just doesn't like litter. Turns out she doesn't mind the box, it's the litter she doesn't like, which explains why she tended to have accidents on the kitchen linoleum. Once I gave her a couple of empty litter boxes, which I rinse out with soap & water every time she uses them, the problem is now completely solved, and she uses them 100% of the time.

CatAttract litter - cluny

[ In Reply To ..]
A few years back one of my cats stopped using her litter box. My vet couldn't find anything wrong with her and suggested CatAttract litter. It worked.

Link below. Google it. As I recall, there were lots of reviews and owner's stories about how it their pet.

Similar Messages:

Jul 24, 2013
to pee in yesterday. He will do his other business, though, in the box. Yesterday I had to put my dog and cat outside on my screened-in porch while my house was being steam cleaned. While that was going on, a loud thunder storm developed. The poor cat started having a panic attack. Once the cleaner guy left, I let them back in. The cat was panting from being over heated. I got him to sit in my lap on a blanket to stroke his fur and he calmed down, but ...

Dec 07, 2011
Does anyone here use a Litter Maid or other "automatic" litter box, and if so how do you like it? My little girl won't use the box if there is ANYTHING in it, and since I can't monitor the situation 24/7 I am thinking about "investing" in a Litter Maid. Thanks in advance. ...

Oct 05, 2010
nm ...

Sep 10, 2010
I recently gave away the last of my momma cat's five kittens and she is now engorged and leaking milk. The babies didn't go all at once--one one week, two the next, etc.--but she is still making milk. She looks uncomfortable but I don't think she has a fever. Will this resolve itself or will she need medical attention (besides the spaying coming up soon!)? Thanks for any suggestions. ...

Sep 09, 2010
I have a dilemma. I brought in a woman to rent my room on Saturday for 200.00 without a lease. Within 3 hours, the entire house reeked of very strong cinnamon incense. Fine...then comes Sunday, she begins by making coffee in my coffee pot and cleaning my kitchen counters, her first load of clothes goes in at at 9 AM and she washes clothes until late that night. She puts her dish towels in place and takes it upon herself to wash mine. She then finds a Sun-T ...

May 21, 2010
South Korea Holds Emergency Security Meeting. South Korea's president convened an emergency national security meeting Friday, a day after an official report concluded that North Korea was responsible for the deadly sinking of a naval patrol ship. North Korea, for its part, spoke of war for a second straight day, while U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was on the way to the region and tensions on the Korean peninsula were expected to dominate her agenda. South Korea accused N ...

Jan 14, 2014
for example, we have people today posting on the MM board that they cherry pick and that if we were smart, we'd do it to. We have people who post that if I get my feelings hurt by something posted on these forums, it's because I'm too sensitive (certainly not because what they said is too harsh, oh no!). Bet you anything these people claim to be Christian. It's okay though because they believe. They got their get out of jail free card. They' ...

Apr 23, 2017
Wow....freedom of religion, no discrimination based on race... these people need to live in a country without our constitution http://www.salon.com/2017/03/10/trump-supporters-call-for-liberal-genocide-and-deportation-of-jews-at-arizona-rally_partner/ ...

Feb 12, 2011
I feel myself sliding into a horrible depression and I honestly don't know why. I've never been depressed before in my life except for fleeting circumstantial incidents that resolved within a few days but I just can't shake this. What confuses me is I don't know WHY I'm depressed. I'm married to a wonderful, beautiful guy who treats me like a queen. We have a very nice little life together, albeit not with a huge amount of financial freedom. ...

Sep 07, 2011
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man ...

May 12, 2011
I have a mouse, or maybe I should say mice, problem. I've been setting snap traps, caught three and now the traps don't get tripped and the bait is eaten. I have poision out under the kitchen appliances. I have grandchildren who come over sometimes and don't want anything harmful to them, although it isn't like they play under the fridge and stove anyway and I so far they have not visited with traps out. What can I do? If anyone has any advice, p ...

Sep 09, 2010
Anybody have any ideas what to do about ants? They are only in my daighter\\\'s room, nowhere else. Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ...

May 04, 2010
I am hoping some of you out there can help. I am 5'4" and weigh 108 pounds. I would like to gain 10 or 12 pounds so I look healthier. Some people look at me like I either have a drug problem or I am bulemic, and that is SO not the case. It is to the point I am getting very self-conscious about it and even getting to the point that I don't feel comfortable with my husband seeing me. The problem is that I do not have an appetite a lot of ...

Jul 30, 2010
Has anyone ever undergone a dental procedure and had to have a bone graft? I have to and am not looking forward to it. Sounds horrible. ...

Jul 23, 2010
OMG! The gnats are driving me insane! Anyone else having this problem? I can't figure out where/why/how they're getting in but it's making me crazy! Solutions?? Thanks :) ...

Feb 23, 2017
Please share this with all your friends. Truly troubling what is going on in this country. They finally figured it out. ...

Dec 27, 2013
is that it does not do enough to control the costs of healthcare. For all of you who are interested in this topic (and I see that many of you are) I would suggest you read the Steven Brill articles that have been published and are continuing to be published in Time magazine. These articles and incredibly informative and strictly nonpartisan and concentrate on the enormous and rising cost of healthcare in this country. His discussion of the "Chargemaster" is enlightening. He als ...

Jun 21, 2014
I'm starting to have a problem with my neighbor. We live in a community of little cottages that are very close together. The decks of the individual cottages are actually joined, so there is really only a few feet between our back door and their back door. They just had a baby, and the other day, he came over and was complaining to my husband about his smoke coming in their window. We are not supposed to smoke inside the unit, and when we moved in, the property manager said that eve ...

Jan 06, 2015
I'm not sure if this is the right place to discuss things not related to transcription. I tried to use the gab board, but it wasn't working. Anyway, any advice is greatly appreciated! I live hundreds of miles from my parents, and now I get along with them much better. My Mom often calls me daily, but she is very rude if she gets another call. She will say someone else is calling, I have to go. or so and so is calling, call me back later or I'll call you back. &n ...

Feb 28, 2015
Last Tuesday, I started on a trial period using the CPAP. The company gave me a loaner of the machine, mask, and hose. Because I'm immune compromised, I asked them whether anyone had used the equipment before me. They assured me they autoclave everything before they give it out. On Thursday night, exactly two & a half days after I started the CPAP, I came down with a bad head cold. This is the exact incubation period for the cold virus, and I'm extremely reluctan ...

Apr 26, 2015
Hi :) I have a family problem. I will give you some background information first. Sorry for the length as I try to explain. I was raised in a small town by my mother and stepfather (she has been with him since I was 1, so for many years). I grew up with one sibling, my half-sister (my mom and stepdad's daughter). I always knew of my biological father. I would see him at various events, and he was at my 6th grade graduation, although he never really said more to me than h ...

May 15, 2017
We are going to advance ourselves right into oblivion if something doesn't stop this constant need for better and better technology. Though I know it is human nature to want to make things better, I have noticed in my lifetime more and more dangerous situations created from advancing technology to the levels we have and are continuing to do. This article mentions the FBI, Homeland Security, etc., are all concerned at what is going on and how bad the situation is with cyberattacks.&nb ...

Jan 29, 2012
First we have Papa Romney palling around with Saul Alinsky in the 1960s. "In the wake of the devastating Detroit riots of the summer of 1967, Michigan Gov. George Romney — a liberal Republican — met the radical organizer Saul Alinsky to discuss the grievances of the urban black poor. Now Romney's son is fighting for the Republican nomination, and his main rival, Newt Gingrich, has made Barack Obama's alleged ties to Alinsky a centerpiece of his campaign." "I ...

Jan 23, 2012
I am going to court Feb 15 to get more child support since I lost my job. I live in OK if that helps. Do I have to have a lawyer there? What can I expect? I would ask my lawyer, but he has given me a lot of misinformation. ...

Jan 19, 2012
Hi! I was wondering if anybody out there has problems with neuropathy or elbow problems related to typing? My right elbow has been acting up for about 6 months now (lateral epicondyle area), but now my whole arm is aching with it. I have also been getting numbness and tingling in both hands, but also get it into my legs as well, and have some sciatica-type problems on the left side for the past 3-4 months. Could this be related to sitting and computer work (although I do ...

Mar 08, 2011
Well, the very next day, DH went to get Blue Buffalo and instead came home with a 5 lb. bag of 4health ($6) and Taste of the Wild ($12) instead (he always listens to sales people). We started her on 4health and she didn't touch it the first day unless we put in 1/2 can of wet and veggies. The second day she ate it with no problem. She also seems to be 'full' after eating and isn't crying or whining. The next day, she didn't even touch her breakfast until after lun ...

Dec 11, 2009
The reason I ask is my sister told me tonight that she thinks she needs to see a neurosurgeon as she had a pinched nerve/sciatica lasting longer than a month and now she has charley horses from the knee up and are like knots in the leg. If she sneezes she can feel a muscle pulling and feels it when trying to get up. She has trouble sleeping and can't find a position, and has pain when sitting. What kind of doctor would you suggest? Someone told her chiro, I think ...

Jan 19, 2011
With my other non-MT job at Jewelry Televison if I don't smoke I really don't get a break. I found out that I am pregnant and I am finding it so hard to kick the habit. I deal with customer complaints all day on the phone and believe me I want to get away from the phones! and smoke! I actually started smoking when I started the job a few months ago. I have cut back where I don't smoke at home which is good for me. Today I was so stressed out I actuall ...

Apr 09, 2011
her anal glands needing to be expressed every few months or so, or she becomes very uncomfortable. I have tried flaxseed oil to no avail. I've had dogs all my life and never had a problem with this before. Any help out there? ...

Dec 12, 2010
My daughter is 19 and has been on her first job for two months at a card store in the mall (don't know if we can use store names here, but it's a national card and gift store, if you know what I mean). She loved the job at first, really enjoys waiting on the customers, helping them find just the right thing, loves the feedback she gets from her customers - At first her supervisor, the woman who hired her, was very nice. They even found out they have some things in co ...