The Cat Bible Q&A
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
Litterbox Refusal
I have 2 cats which I love dearly. They are both approximately 5 years old. One I've had since she was about 2 months old and the other I adopted from the Humane Society when she was about 2. Over the past year, the adoptee (Molly) has been horrible about urinating outside of her box. She will occasionally poop inside the box then go right over and pee outside the box. I put her in a separate room to stay in the house which seemed to help and she started using her box fairly regularly. However, I moved and do not have a 'safe room' (one without carpet) in which to put her. I did put her in a larger room with her litter box, toys, etc. and she did fine so I started letting her roam the house. For a couple of weeks, things seemed fine until the last week or so. I am now crating her during the day when I'm not there to watch her but am at my wits end. She knows how to use her litter box but just refuses to do so. I have put a litter box on each floor of the home and scoop them out each day then completely clean them at least once a week. I've also tried anti-depressants with her. Any other suggestions? I can't keep getting the carpet cleaned - that's getting terribly expensive and like I said, I love her dearly so can't imagine getting rid of her.
Please help!
Thanks,
Marcia
Dear Marcia
I turned to Cat Chat's own behavior consultant, Dear Sally, for her thoughts on this. I am including them below. I also urge you to go to CatChatRadio.com and pre-order a copy of THE CAT BIBLE from Amazon.com - it's really a bargain from them and I know you'll be pleased at how much information there is in an entire chapter devoted to litter box issues. And check out the Cat Chat baseball caps while you're there on the website.
1) No cat refuses to use the box without a reason.
2) Is there a stressor that triggers the peeing behavior when the kitty is not confined? Conflict or
ambushing by the other cats? Something viewed outdoors? Something that doesn't make her feel safe using the box?
3) Maybe she becomes overstimulated when not confined -- is it a busy household?
4) It might be helpful to watch the kitty's behavior and bring her to the box when it looks like she has to go -- like a reminder.
5) Try Cat Attract litter.
6) Give her rewards and praise when she goes in the box.
Hope these comments help,
Tracie
The information contained in the answers posted on this board comes from THE CAT BIBLE: Everything Your Cat Expects You To Know, and from CAT CHAT™ The Radio Show, broadcasting live on Martha Stewart Living Radio, Channel 112 on Sirius Satellite Radio, every Wednesday from 8-9 p.m. EST.
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DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that the advice I give on the air or in emails – or those you see posted here – are not intended to take the place of a veterinarian's advice or expertise. I say this to protect myself from being misunderstood or from your over-reliance on my advice in situations where your pet may be seriously ill and you would mistakenly delay seeking medical intervention. While I am confident in the research-based facts and common-sense advice I can offer, it is never meant to be used at the exclusion of trained, accredited and board certified professionals. But I also have this disclaimer to protect your dog – because what you learn from me is not intended to take the place of medical care or professional evaluation – on the contrary, my desire is to equip you with information that will allow you to enjoy your pets to the fullest, and also to encourage you to seek professional medical attention whenever there are physical symptoms or an overall change in your pet's attitude.
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
