Cats peeing !!!!
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Cats peeing !!!!
| Fri, 06-17-2005 - 1:38am |
So i posted about how 2 of my 4 cats have urinary tract infections. They're being treated with baytril now, and I've switched their food to low ash, wet food. I've gotten rid of cat chow. My problem is, they keep peeing outside the box!!!! Today I caught the 2 of them peeing inside a cardboard box that had papers in it, MORE THAN ONCE!
What am i supposed to do??? They've never done this before, and they're almost done their medication. I can't have them peeing all over my house. I'm scared they'll go on my carpets or something. I really don't want to get rid of them, because I love them dearly and I've had them both for a year. But if this can't be stopped, I don't know what other solutions there are.

My suggestions are:
Hi,
I know how frustrating this problem can be and once they have started using other than the litter box sometimes they will have to be retrained to use. But first let's explore all options.
Other than a medical issue, the top reasons for a cat to stop using the litter box:
Dirty litter box(es): Boxes should be scooped minimally twice a day. In addition to the twice daily scooping, the boxes should routinely be scrubbed with a dilute bleach solution or other comparable cleaner. Don't be fooled by the ads and some of the litter literature saying that you don't have to do this as litter lasts a month. For some cat's it may but for multiple cats it likely doesn't. I have two kitties and I do mine every couple of weeks definitely not going a full month. Regardless of the clumping litter. urine still comes into contact with the bottom and sides of the box and it needs cleaning and disinfecting. I would also be sure that you use the proper amount of litter and refill as needed after the daily scooping. You should maintain about a level of about 2 inchs.
Poor choice of litter type: You should use a good unscented scoopable litter for 4 cats I would make sure it's a hard clumping multi cat formula. Don't fall for all the scented litters and additives as the scent is too strong for many cats. If your scooping twice a day you shouldn't need scented litters anyway.
Poor location of litter box(es): Very important the boxes should be in a quiet secure place. Not by the back door or in a laundry room where the hustle and bustle and noise may deter them. Ideally, you should have a litter box for each cat plus one and if you have a multi level home there should be a box on every floor. Don't just shove the boxes in the basement and expect the kitty to run down several stories to go potty.
Blocked from the box by a dominant feline housemate and/or too few boxes: This is fairly common in a multi-cat househould. Make sure that the boxes aren't right next to each other as if someone is guarding one then they have another option.
Box size is too small: Frankly most litter boxes are just too darned small. Rubbermaid has finally come out with a good large high sided box available at Petsmart. Don't use a covered litter box either. Think about the reason for them to begin with; to contain odor. Which they do very well but your cat doesn't want to go into a stinky box and bump his head getting in and out.
I just think you need to look at and evaluate the entire situation. It's also possible that they associate the litter box with pain if they've had an infection. There is a litter on the market called Cat Attract which helps attract them back to using the litter box. I have used it when I had a problem here and it helped.
However, if you suspect that they have gone anywhere other than the box you need to locate that area and clean it up. This may require the use of a blacklight to be sure you get all areas in the house. That is imperative because until it's cleaned up they will most likely continue to go there. It is very important that you use a good enzymatic cleaner and in addition to Nature's Miracle I've heard about a product that others have had good luck with called Anti Icky Poo. They have a website just search for that name and you will find it.
First pick up all cardboard or whatever they've been peeing on and keep it off the floor. While at the pet store pick up some Feliway spray and a diffuser. This is synthetic feline facial phermones and helps to calm kitties down. Cats' won't pee where they facial mark so when you've cleaned the areas up that they've peed on spray those areas with the Feliway. Plug the diffuser into an outlet and it diffuses the phermones steadily and help to bring a sense of calm to the kitties just in case there is any dominance issues going on regarding the litter boxes between the cats. However, do not spray the Feliway near any of the litter boxes. Make sure to read the literature that comes in the package for further details.
The most important thing about litter boxes is keeping them absolutely clean from a cat's point of view. Please remember that we humans seem to forget that a cat’s sense of smell is infinitely more sensitive than our own. Add to this the instinctive nature of the cat to be clean and a dirty litter box spells disaster. Think about how a wild cat would handle his bathroom duties. He would not be confined to a 1’ x 2’ 'bathroom.’ He would not choose to walk around in his own waste. He would simply choose another plot of land and that “plot of land” could be behind your sofa or in another area of your home. Hence one of the reasons for mutliple litter boxes for multiple cats as they get dirtier much quicker. Additionally, some cat's like to pee in one and poop in the other.
I would start by evaluting all of the above and make appropriate changes as needed. If they are in a really unbreakable pattern you may have to confine them and retrain them to use their litter boxes.
Good luck, Lynn
Your cats may still be associating the litter box with pain. If you've ever had a UTI yourself, you know first hand how much it hurts to pee! The cats may psychologically be conditioned away from the litter box.
Try changing the TYPE of litter you use and see what happens. Your kitties won't have a bad association with a new type.
When I first adopted Tasha, I discovered that she had urinary crystals. We put her on a prescription food, but weeks later she was still peeing on the floor immediately outside the box. Finally, I changed the litter type and she went right back to the box.
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