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cat stopped using litter box
Posted: 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 I have noticed he has not used his litter box to pee since he came back in the house yesterday. I found a spray spot on the wall and cleaned that up, but haven't found a spot today yet.
Do you think this is something temporary? I have absolutely no idea how to get him back to using the box other than just using the scooper to make scratching noises in it. I don't want to lock him in the room with the box in it overnight, but I don't want my walls sprayed either. Any ideas?
;
Be sure to use that enzymatic cleaner, - like Nature's Miracle on those spray spots.
[ In Reply To ..]Learned the hard way.
Poor kitty!
Poor kitty. Sounds like he was traumatized. sm - Dog and Cat Lover
[ In Reply To ..]Is his litter box in the area that was steam cleaned? I'm wondering if any chemicals were used near his litter box and the odor is bothering him. You might try dumping out the old litter, cleaning box as usual and adding some new litter. You might even have to put the box in a different location.
Is he eating okay? Another thought is maybe he got a little dehydrated?
Please keep us posted on this. {{hugs}}
ETA: Does he have a history of UTIs or crystals in his urine? A cat with either of those problems may spray walls as his bladder goes into spasm. Keep an eye on him to be sure he is, in fact, urinating. If not urinating, he needs to be seen by a vet.
box is in a bathroom - what now?
[ In Reply To ..]with a tile floor. The door to that room was closed during cleaning yesterday. I can coax him into getting in the box (that's how he did his other business this morning). Another time I coaxed him to get in the box and he over-scratched and knocked a lot of litter out, but did not use it for elimination. I don't want to completely change the litter so he can smell past urine there. I'm wondering if the wet carpet may have had something to do with him spraying that spot yesterday, i.e., wet carpet smell, and I'm just over worrying. He is eating and drinking really good. Maybe he just does not need to go again yet (crossing fingers!).
Maybe he will be over it soon. sm. - Dog and Cat Lover
[ In Reply To ..]Maybe there is actually some past urine on the carpet and the cleaning brought out the smell? The other thing I was going to ask is if it is still stormy? Two of my cats dive under the sofa at the first rumble of thunder.
Very good that he is eating and drinking. Hopefully, he will be over this very, very soon.
If no chemicals got sprayed in his box, then you don't need to dump it out and clean it, etc. Sounds like you are covering all the bases!
It sounds like he just underwent - severe trauma
[ In Reply To ..]kitties do not like changes of any kind at all, and being locked out on the porch during a thunderstorm certainly probably did not help his delicate psyche. I think he will be okay in a few days, after he realizes the noises are not going to come back again. If all else fails and he still will not use the litter box, I have found a great litter to "entice" him back in. I have a male older cat that goes through streaks of not using his litter box either and spraying all over everything he can find, EXCEPT the litter box. The cat litter is called "Cat Attract" and it is a little on the expensive side, but it works. I use it alone until he starts using his litter box regularly again, and then I start mixing it slowly with his regular litter. Believe me, if it can make my cat use his litter box, it will work for yours, too. Pet Smart has it. My big cat also likes to have his box squeaky clean and that can be a challenge. he tends to stop using it when he thinks it is time for a cleaning job. good luck to you!
your cat is quite likely dehydrated - sm
[ In Reply To ..]You mention he was overheated on the porch. Make sure he has enough to drink, and provide wet food to make sure he is getting hydrated. He may not have enough water to make urine.
Could Be - Addison
[ In Reply To ..]That the steam cleaning eliminated his scent from the house, and now he's trying to remark his territory by spraying and going on the carpet.
crisis averted - yay! - what now?
[ In Reply To ..]I feel pretty silly for worrying over my little guy. He just had to go when he got ready! I didn't think about marking territory again, but that was a good idea. Well, phew, I can climb down off the wall now :) Thanks for everyone's support and suggestions!
glad he's back to his usual self! - nm
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