Question for Cat People

[tubachick]

We have introduced a third cat to our household, and its been over a week. They are all around the same age 3-4 years old and the new one is a sister of one of the two boys. they are not fighting, sometimes the new girls does a little cat calling, but usually when she is eating and another cat comes in the room....


anyway my question is that the new girl has been using the bathtub as a litter box, not every time, about 3 times. This is something I want to nip right away. Because she has used the other 2 litterboxes also so she knows where they are. (we don't have one in the bathroom). Any suggestions on how to get her to stop this behavior???


thanks.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

She needs her own litterbox.

 

[tubachick]

How do I keep my boys from using her box???

 

[Sherri]

Maybe try a litterbox with a cover for privacy, that could be why she likes the tub.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Maybe you can put the litterbox in the bathtub?

 

[tubachick]

Sherri, both do have hoods or covers and she has used them

TMM- don't laugh-- I thought about that!!!

the only other thing I can think of is the type of litter??? she was a scooped cat at the other house and I am a clay litter user... changing every three days.

 

[Disney-For-Life]

I agree, if not just for the short term. You have integrated your cats so quickly... things are going to be stressful for all your cats for a while. The litter box situation needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

When I integrated a new cat into my house, I gave the new cat a home in our office, complete with her own litterbox. We kept the door closed from the rest of the house for 2 weeks so that they could get "safely" used to eachothers scent. Then we gradually let her out in the house to socialize with the other cat, and then took her back in the office at night or when we left to go out. That lasted another 1-2 weeks. Finally, we let them both co-exist in the house during the night and while we were at work. We still have the other litter box setup as a "back'up" however, they both seem to prefer to use the same one.

It takes time, patience and love but its worth it. 3 cats is a lot and you certainly don't want anymore than that in a large household. Anymore, and their personalities may start to suffer.

Good luck!

 

[reeeoga]

Keep abput 1/2 inch of water in the tub.

Get her her own "Bathroom".

Be patient, these are cats

 

[tubachick]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions.

I have now 4 kitty bathrooms, and I am going to see if that helps.

 

[unbroken chain]

The new litter box should do the trick.

But are you sure the new cat is the culprit? I had one cat who deliberately left her calling card in the bathtub whenever I left town. I had someone keeping the litter box clean, etc. when I would be gone. She was just a vindictive cat. Sometimes cats will express their displeasure with a change in the household in this particular way!

 

[tubachick]

The new litter box should do the trick.

But are you sure the new cat is the culprit? I had one cat who deliberately left her calling card in the bathtub whenever I left town. I had someone keeping the litter box clean, etc. when I would be gone. She was just a vindictive cat. Sometimes cats will express their displeasure with a change in the household in this particular way!

no I am not 100000% sure but I have seen her sitting on the ridge of the tub while my cats like to sit in the sink.

hopefully a new box with her scooping litter will do the trick.