Cat trouble. Need help!

[Raging Epistaxis]

Ahhh! Another (dis)satisfied Cat person!

Feline inappropriate urination/defecation can be really difficult to treat. Most of the advice I'd give a client of mine has already been brought up here in one form or another. (Except the angry wolverine thing. I'll have to keep that in mind for the next mean cat that comes in with this problem )

Probably the best advice so far (IMHO) was one of the first given - place a litter box at the location and then after the cat has accepted it, slowly move it to a location more acceptable to you. This is best done over several weeks.

Some cats dislike plastic sheeting/aluminum foil/mothballs/'cat repellents' enough that it will keep them away from the site, but as you mentioned, I'd be worried about the cat expressing itself in an even less desirable location...

Frukathka: If the cat has shown a preference for one type of litter over the others, and rarely or never has an accident when this litter is in the normal litter box(es), then I think the answer is simple. Get rid of the psycho and get a cat who knows where to go. Err, I mean, stick with that type of litter. I also use the fine grained clumping litter for my 4 cats, and while I grouse everytime we buy a bunch, it's much better than having one of them decide that my shoes make a much better urinal than the litter box.(don't ask... )

From what you both have posted here, it sounds like it's most likely preference/behavioral issues, but its still worthwhile to have a checkup to rule out infection or some other medical problem. And there are all sorts of pheremone sprays and things available to treat behavioral issues, once they are identified. See your Vet!

Anyhow, good luck

R E, DVM

For those whose cats business end is outside the litter box: In my ignorance, may I suggest getting a bigger litter box?

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

Nightcloak's idea is what I'd do. Also, you can buy a spray from the vet that you can put on the litter box that stimulates a cat's territorial instincts (even if neutered or spayed). That helps them establish the box as "theirs" when they think they're sticking it to another cat.

Doesn't work for my cat, though. He's 17 and becoming incontinent....he still pees in the box, but the other just happens wherever he happens to be walking at the time.

 

[Algolei]

This is in your basement, right? And there's a drain handy? Set up your spinkler in the corner and turn the water on so it sprays just that small area; that'll keep kizzah from shizzah in the hizzah.

 

[Jeff Wilder]

Off the original subject, but for those folks who have issues with smell and, uh, "overhangitis," what I did was get one of those large enclosed litterboxes. It has a filter in the ceiling which actually does do a good job of trapping odors. It also has a two-way swinging door, though you can detach that if your cat won't go for it. The enclosed box also helps if your cat is a "digger," and shoves litter all over the surrounding area. Finally, if your cat is a little shy (as mine is), she'll love the privacy.

The enclosed box is a little more involved to clean (if you scoop, instead of toss wholesale), since you have to remove the lid, but it's also easier to clean if you have any of the above problems with, um, poor aim or litter showering. I've been very happy since the switch, and so has Ysabeau. (And so have my houseguests.)

 

[tarchon]

Overhang happens a lot when the box isn't cleaned enough. The cat doesn't want to get in it because it's nasty, but it feels it must use the box, so it kind of compromises by just putting a few feet in. It's like when you go into a really slimy port-a-john and are trying to keep your feet as far back from the puddle as possible.

 

[Umbran]

... what I did was get one of those large enclosed litterboxes. It has a filter in the ceiling which actually does do a good job of trapping odors.

Right. So, you've got a problem with the smell, so you trap it in a box. What do you think Mr. Fuzzball, with his far more sensitive nose, is going to think of the inside of that box with all the smelliness trapped inside that small space?

Some cats will tolerate it, but my wife (a practicing veterinarian) reports that enclosed boxes often make problems worse, instead of better, because the concentrated smell is a big disincentive for using the box.

 

[Raging Epistaxis]

Yup. What Umbran's wife said. It just depends on the cat - some have greater tolerance for odor than others. Some prefer open boxes, some enclosed.

You'll almost never go wrong by scooping/cleaning the box more often regardless of which style the cat prefers. But it's especially important with the more enclosed style boxes.

R E