I got this plaintive email from a pregnant lady who really has done everything she could think of to correct a cat who pees willy-nilly all over the place:
We have three cats and the oldest REFUSES to use the litter box to pee in. We’ve tried EVERY litter on the market over the past few years from harsh chemical stuff to feline pine, husks and Cat Attract. We’ve had him checked over and over for any physiological problems and he always gets a clean bill of health. All three of our cats are fed Wellness Chicken and Herring (no grains) and have free access to water and are in excellent health and weight. The litter boxes are cleaned daily OR MORE and washed completely at least once a week and we have FOUR of them. Two are giant Rubbermaid boxes, one is a extra large regular one and one is a very large square plastic tub that is used to mix cement! The other two are litter box angels and have perfect behavior. The oldest one (about 6 years) hates the other two and we can’t get him to use the box no matter what. We’ve also tried Feliway (useless) and isolating him with his own TWO litter boxes (also useless). We just moved into a new 2400 sq ft home with loads of space and the problem hasn’t gotten any better. The other two also leave him alone and don’t ambush him while he’s pooping or peeing so I can’t see that as a problem. My only two options left seem to be give him away where who knows what might happen or put him to sleep which also seems beyond cruel. I am totally desperate for a solution with even greater urgency now that I am pregnant. As I sit here typing this, I can smell the cat urine wafting over the house. What do I do?
My first thought was that this cat needs to be a solo cat, that he just isn’t suited to living with other felines. My second comment is WAIT A MINUTE HERE: these cats are all eating kitty crack! The poor lady thinks that because it is a name brand- and “grain free” (still loaded with carbs, often in the form of highly glycemic potatoes) that somehow it’s an acceptable diet. But it isn’t! It’s still a highly processed carb food that can be contributing to this cat just not feeling great. And my gut instinct is that she needs to give him away to someone who wants a solo cat and all will sort itself out. – but I asked CAT CHAT’S® own behavior consultant Dear Sally if she had any thoughts ad she did:
“That kitty is just not a happy camper in that household. He probably knows now that the bond with his humans is tentative. My gut instinct tells me he might be better off as a single kitty. I hate to suggest rehoming, but she does seem to have done “all the right things.” And I don’t see the situation improving since she is pregnant. Having a baby will surely aggravate things. However, some basic questions: What is she using to clean — is she cleaning thoroughly? Where are the boxes? One thing I’ve tried that works well (but takes time and observation): Cats pee 2, maybe 3 times a day, almost always in the morning and evening. When she suspects the cat needs to pee, put him in the box, even a couple of times, so he gets the idea. Pully, our Orange Tabby, is a bit of a Dufus. I swear he just forgets, plus he hates any poop or pee in the box. I’ve been ushering him to the box when I know he hasn’t “gone” in a while. Works like a charm. Plus I praise him big time when he goes. The ushering reinforces that’s where he needs to go.”
