Need advice regarding my cat that won't use litterbox

6/16/09 | Huntress

[Huntress]

Dear Freeper cat owners,

I'm having a problem with Norman the cat (see my homepage for a photo). He will not use the litterbox, and instead pees on my bedroom carpet. I have two cats and three litterboxes, which I scoop daily. I've been using the same type of litter for a long time. He has adequate facilities, he just won't use them.

Does anyone have any advice for me in this situation? I'm thinking of ripping up the carpet and putting down a hard surface floor. Please don't tell me to kill or get rid or Norman, as that is not an option. I've had him for nine years, and I'm very fond of him despite his faults.

Thanks.

Huntress

[Huntress]

Kitty ping!

[pnh102]

We have one cat with a similar problem. We started filling the litterbox up to the brim and cleaning it every day and he’s begun using it far more than he had before.

[PetroniusMaximus]

Call the police.

[WayneS]

The best advice I can give is: Cat-ke-bobs

;^)

[TexasCajun]

Lady! Your cat is possessed!

[rednesss]

He/she could have a urinary tract infection making it painful for him/her while urinating. They associate the pain with the box, not with the peeing, so they seek to pee other places than the box.

Then again he/she could just be being spiteful :)

[handy old one]

Something has changed in the household and this is the way the cat handles it sorry.

[madamemayhem]

have you tried putting the litter box on the spot where kitty likes to go?

[tet68]

Ah, owning a cat is it’s own reward.

[WayneS]

Seriously, though, is this a new problem?

You say you have had him 9 years. has he been this way the whole time?

If not, I’d have him checked by a vet for some kind of kidney/bladder/gastro-intestinal problem.

[mnehring]

There are special cat litters that have attractant in them. If you can’t find those, sprinkle cat nip in the cat litter.

[TexasCajun]

I wouldn't challenge him.

[MAD-AS-HELL]

get a dog! :)

[SkyDancer]

The cat could be upset at you for whatever reason. It could be his way of showing his displeasure with you .....OTOH you’re lucky he’s not leaving landmines in your bed ....

[Conan the Librarian]

The book I read called “How to talk to your Cat” said that you should put their food in the spot where they go (if it is the same spot).

Otherwise, the cat is trying to give you a message. Have you had it checked for a bladder infection?

[Truth29]

Well, you didn't say he had had a medical exam so that would be the first option. Litter box problems are often a symptom of a medical issue such as Feline Urological Syndrome or UTI’s. He could also have developed a behavioral problem, but those are often harder to pinpoint and to fix.

[dirtboy]

I'm having a problem with Norman the cat (see my homepage for a photo). He will not use the litterbox, and instead pees on my bedroom carpet.

From my experiences:

1) Once the carpet smells like pee, he'll keep going there. Either deodorize the bejabbers out of that spot or remove the carpet.

2) Is he neutered? Male cats that are fixed can get urinary crystals that start out impacting how they pee and that eventually can be fatal - might want to get that checked out just to be safe - he's at the age where that condition can start kicking in.

[blues_guitarist]

Line litter box with photo of Obama!

sorry . . . couldn't help it.

[Vendome]

fill the litter deeper. Sometimes they want to really bury their defacation.