Why is my cat not using her litter box?!!

[tggrrstarr]

I am so frustrated! My friend Josh has been living with me and my husband for a few years now, and brought his cat with him. Now let me say that she is not his cat anymore, but mine. (he doesn't know this) Everyone, even the cat knows this! So this cat thing is new to me.

In the past, if the door to the litter box was closed, we had the rare "accident". But within the last week or two, I have caught her using my bedroom floor/clothing for no reason! I just caught her as I was trying to fall asleep. I am so mad I can't sleep now. Is this normal cat behavior? How do I stop this from continuing? Any help would be appreciated!

 

[inkkognito]

Take her to the vet. That's often a sign of illness. Cats tend to hide sickness pretty well in other ways, but they will often stop using the box properly as a sign.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Is the box clean? My cat would go outside the box unless the litter box was scooped clean.

 

[jaycat]

Sometimes it happens if a cat gets nervous - like if a new smell comes into the house. New paint, couch, etc. Or a really big change could upset your cat ie complete transformation of the floor plan - cats are very intune to their environment. If none of that has happened you kitty could be sick.

 

[jaycat]

Oh another thing - have you changed litter brands? My cats only eat specific food brands so you cat may be a "litter snob" lol

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

A couple of questions.

Is the litter box big enough for your cat's size? If it's too small, he may be saying 'Why bother?'

Is the litter box private enough? Our cats never liked to potty in public.

Last, did you change anything recently, such as add a pet or change your cat's diet or feeding time? They sometimes react to change this way.

If not, PP was right about taking your cat to the vet for a checkup. Cats tend to go wherever is convenient when they don't feel well.

 

[flying_babyb]

Is the litter box private enough? Our cats never liked to potty in public.

How do you get a cat to use a private box? Like enclosed? My one cat WILL NOT use a enclosed box (I have kicker cats so its a horible mess), Though she waits till everyones sleeping or not looking to go.

 

[walkerag]

Take her to the vet. That's often a sign of illness. Cats tend to hide sickness pretty well in other ways, but they will often stop using the box properly as a sign.

Do this first... If she has a urinary tract infection she will go in different places in the house. They associate the pain they are feeling with the litter box and will try other places to find a place that doesn't hurt.

 

[luvmy3]

When my cat stops using the box (and uses the tub, thank goodness) its a sign that she has a UTI. Tell your friend to take his cat to the vet.

 

[tggrrstarr]

Thank you all for the advice! No significant changes, although we've had a few bad storms which she is terrified of. The box is private, in a closet that only she goes into. She has been a little aloof lately too, keeping to herself and not nearly as much of a lap kitty. Maybe something is wrong. I will try the vet. These are all great ideas I didn't think of.

 

[MomofKatie]

Thank you all for the advice! No significant changes, although we've had a few bad storms which she is terrified of. The box is private, in a closet that only she goes into. She has been a little aloof lately too, keeping to herself and not nearly as much of a lap kitty. Maybe something is wrong. I will try the vet. These are all great ideas I didn't think of.

Sounds like she's not feeling well. Whenever my cats were sick, they tended to go off by themselves and "veg" out- we'd find them under the bed or in the back of the closet. Our vet told us that when they don't feel well, cats' strong wild instincts kick in- they try to appear OK, but will want to go off by themselves to lay low for a while. In the wild, a sick animal is an easy target- they try to avoid appearing sick because of this.

I hope everything turns out OK- it might be a UTI if she's peeing outside the box.

 

[ma2jr]

Take her to the vet. That's often a sign of illness. Cats tend to hide sickness pretty well in other ways, but they will often stop using the box properly as a sign.

If nothing has changed in you home (litter, new cat, dog, lots of new vistors etc) I agree a vet appointment would be a good idea.

 

[Cantw8]

 

[walkerag]

Yeah, I think I'd go somewhere elso too

 

[manning]

Cats are very good at hiding how they feel. Looks like a trip to the vet is in order.

 

[TheLittleRoo]

I always thought that was a racket by the vets to get you to come in. But trying to avoid negative stereotyping, what would the vet exam consist of to identify a UTI or other kind of infection? Of course, I live in an area where vets can charge $50 just to walk in the exam room, then a separate fee for injection meds, , the injection itself, needle disposal, etc. It would not be possible to walk out with a bill that is less than $50 in any case, most are around $150-200.

I can't afford to take my cat in as a first course of action, and when I have, they never take a urine sample - - can't imagine how they could, other than denying him a litter box in a confined cage overnight. That would be a $30 boarding fee, a $8 "collection fee", and probably charge ME for his urine!

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

Is the litter box private enough? Our cats never liked to potty in public.

How do you get a cat to use a private box? Like enclosed? My one cat WILL NOT use a enclosed box (I have kicker cats so its a horible mess), Though she waits till everyones sleeping or not looking to go.

Sorry. I didn't mean an enclosed box. My cats would not use an enclosed box either. I meant a box in a high traffic area.

 

[flying_babyb]

What do you for litter kickers?

 

[MomofKatie]

I always thought that was a racket by the vets to get you to come in. But trying to avoid negative stereotyping, what would the vet exam consist of to identify a UTI or other kind of infection? Of course, I live in an area where vets can charge $50 just to walk in the exam room, then a separate fee for injection meds, , the injection itself, needle disposal, etc. It would not be possible to walk out with a bill that is less than $50 in any case, most are around $150-200.

I can't afford to take my cat in as a first course of action, and when I have, they never take a urine sample - - can't imagine how they could, other than denying him a litter box in a confined cage overnight. That would be a $30 boarding fee, a $8 "collection fee", and probably charge ME for his urine!

When one of my cats was doing the same thing- peeing outside the box and seeming "off"- my vet had her come in and they did get a urine sample. They kept her for the day, and gave her access to a litterbox with non-absorbant litter. If she peed in it, they could just pour the urine into a collection jar. She didn't use it, though- they got her sample by feeling for her her full bladder and extracting some urine with a needle. She wasn't thrilled with them for doing this, but it worked. They tested the sample, and found out it was inflammation and a slight infection. Gave her a one time antibiotic injection, and she was back to her old self within 24 hours.

I feel for you about the fees- we have 3 cats, and the vet bills can get pretty steep. Seems we can't get out of the office without paying at least $60 or so- $40 for the office visit, $12 for clipping their claws (they won't let us do it at home, so we have them do it every time they go), and more $$ for other stuff. The total bill for GiGi's UTI- visit, testing, antibiotics, etc- was $150.

 

[MomofKatie]

What do you for litter kickers?

Vaccuum/sweep twice a day or more- seems the only thing to do if they like an uncovered box.