Need advice regarding my cat that won't use litterbox

6/16/09 | Huntress

[drjulie]

I’m an experienced cat owner (some call me a “cat lady”). As others have said, you need to first take him to a vet for an evaluation. Typically, when they start doing this at his age there is a pathological reason. If they give him a clean bill of health, they still might be able to help. I currently have a cat who takes an antidepressant for this very problem, for instance. It is, unfortunately, true that once he has urinated in a spot he is likely to continue even if the underlying problem has been successfully treated. You might have replace the carpet.

[strider44]

Burlap sack, big rock, pond or river.

[Retired Greyhound]

You’re right. I hope they don’t sign in to FR and read what I said.

[dubie]

http://catrecipes.com/

[Tijeras_Slim]

Then he’d pee on the coyotes and owls.

[rintense]

1. Rule out any medical issues and take kitty to the vet. Explain the behavior to the vet. Likely tests will be a urine and blood check to see if there’s an infection.
2. Dirty litter box. Are you cleaning it every day? Cats have very sensitive noses.
3. Did you change to a different litter? Cats (again) are sensitive to change.
4. Any new stresses in the house? Again, change, etc.
5. Are there cats roaming around outside your house? If so, your cat may be ‘marking’ territory.
6. Do your cats get along? Sometimes in a multicat home, cats become very territorial and will prevent another cat from using the litter box. I’ve witnessed this a few times with my cats.
7. Is the box in a private location?
8. Did you get a new box, ie, go from covered to uncovered, or vice versa? I went to a covered box for my senior kitty who has a hard time squatting to pee. She HATED it and pooped outside the box until I took the cover off.

[taxtruth]

Yep,my cat had a blocked urinary tract and he did the same thing.Male cats have this problem a lot.Had to put kitty in the hospital for 3 days and it was expensive.The vet had to unblock him twice.Take him to the vet for a kitty checkup.

[Ditter]

He’d only pee on a coyote once, then he would be coyote dinner.

[Oldpuppymax]

get a dog! :)

You beat me to it.

[Lord_Baltar]

Might I suggest a Cork and some Superglue (1002 uses)

[goat granny]

chuckles to you, that is witty

[ArrogantBustard]

You don’t want my advice.

[Tijeras_Slim]

See, just take electrifying the carpet to it’s logical conclusion and the problem is solved.

[VRWCmember]

advice regarding my cat that won't use litterbox

[passionfruit]

We started lining the bottom of our litter boxes with wood chips before putting he litter in. Cuts way down on the ammonia smell.

We have had to start locking our cats out of our bedroom because they have territorial issues about our bed. One was peeing on the bed to mark her territory after fights with another cat.

After using the pet odor removing products on your rug, you might want to put a washable throw rug over the spot.

[Petronski]

If he’s not fixed, get that done.

Also, it might help to think of it this way: three cats —> three litter boxes. He might not want to go where others have gone.

[Recon Dad]

Any chance you could just abandon the house and the cat?

[djf]

My advice has something to do with a blender.

Email me for details...

[a fool in paradise]

If you can’t find those, sprinkle cat nip in the cat litter.

"Man this is some good &$*@!!!"

[trisham]

If you haven't already tried it, “Nature's Miracle” is a lifesaver. It's sold at most pet stores. It works on urine, feces, blood, vomit, sweat, fruit stains and wine stains.