Hello,
I always tell my clients that if cats had opposable thumbs they would write on the walls “Hey! Pay attention there’s a problem!” But they don’t so instead they pee outside of the box. There is an issue. The challenge is figuring out what that issue is.
First head to the vet for an examination and bloodwork to include a urinalysis. Look for a medical issue like uti,cystitis, diabetes, Kinsey disease etc etc. Lots of things cause abnormal urine output. Start there. Otherwise a medical condition can continue and worsen your cats prognosis. After that address behavior. We add medications for stress, anxiety and discomfort. Also consider crate training in a large crate so they cannot wander back the the soiled places and give them their own safe place. In some cases long term medication is indicated.
My point is that your cat is asking for help. How far are you willing to go to help them?
I hope it is to the ends of the earth. Too many cats are abandoned or euthanized bc people can’t see past the annoyance of urinating outside of the box.
Good luck.
Keep us posted
Have you tried cat attract litter? Or moving the box? Or *changing* the box to a different style? He probably associates the litterbox with pain, so changing things up should be the next thing. Also make sure you use an enzymatic cleaner for the messes.
Hi Laura, thank you for your response. I guess I should have mentioned what I have Done. I have Two litter box in his room with two different kinds of litter and do use an enzymatic cleaner to clean the messes. I will Try moving the boxes around to see if that makes any difference.
Are you using cat attract litter?
How about dirt? I know that freshly turned dirt attracts cats, so why not try that? (Make sure it’s plain old organic topsoil with no additives.)
Hello
I would add that in cases like this I place the cat in a large crate. They stay in the crate for whatever time it takes to retrain them. Like a dog crate. Place newspaper on the bottom. Then add a litter box and bed. If they aren’t using the litter box in the crate then remove the litter box and place litter over the newspaper. If they aren’t using it then I rem e the bed. Therefore the only thing their feet feel is litter. I should also add that I let the cat pick the litter they like by giving them Potok s. Like place clumping litter in one area. Non clumping in another. Try sand. And try potting soil. Some cats just have a preference and you never know what that is until you offer it. Also people need to be thinking about litter boxes. Some cats want open. Some want covered. Some want big and flat. Others hidden and quiet.
If the cat still isn’t using it I add a medication for stress and pain. Maybe gabapentin. Or fluoxetine. But there are others.
Ask your vet. Or find a feline vet who only sees cats. They are often great resources.
Hope this helps.
Hi krista , thank you for the suggestions. I will Try those ideas. He has started to slowly come around to using it and it’s 50/50 now if he’s in the box or on the floor. He does have gabapentin and zylkene to help lower his stress. Will update with results!