Bad Potty Habits (2004 Archive) - Kingsnake.com Forums

tothemtns Dec 27, 2004 01:44 PM

Please Help!
I have a wonderful spayed mail I adopted from a feril litter about 18 months ago. He's a wonderful cuddle, but I'm at my witts end. He will urinate only in my tub and deficates less than a foot from the litter box. When he was a kitten, he used the box. I am away most weekends, and when I get home, there are at least three movements withing 9"-12" of the boxes(some even closer than that), and usually one special package in front of the kitchen sink. I'm guessing the one in the kitchen is yelling at me for being away for so long....but even when I'm home, he won't use the box for either function. I have been able to let him out, although that is illeagal in my condo complex, and this relieves some of the poop issue, but not the urinating. Having to scrub the tub every time I want to take a shower has lost it's shiney and as much as I love Lumpy, he may have to go if these problems can't be resolved. I have: used every kind of litter available, been to the vet, filled the tub with water, added litter boxes, begged him, squirted with a water pistol....

Any other suggestions?

Thanks to all!

PHMadameAlto Dec 28, 2004 07:12 AM

Since you have already had the vet check the cat then it is probably safe to assume that the problem is behavioral. I would suspect that it is indeed your being gone for such a long period of time. Here are a few things to try:

Can you take steps to retrain the cat to the box. Basically you need to confine the cat to a room like a bathroom, or a large cage with only food, water, bedding and the litterbox. As he begins to use the litterbox consistantly you can expand his space. There is more information at this link:
Feline Behavior

Since you have been gone for such lengthy periods, Lumpy may be pooping and peeing outside the box because they've gotten too dirty for him to use. Some people have great success with self-cleaning boxes.

You need to thoroughly deodorize wherever the cat has been peeing and pooping. Petastic is highly recommended as is Heaven's Own. It is the smell of the "accidents" that causes a cat to reuse the place.

Check into using Feliway, a spray that mimics the happy scent cats leave when they rub their check against something. You can get it from your vet or from Cat Faeries at http://www.catfaeries.com
If you visit the website, you will see a phone number that you can call and for a fee discuss your cat's problems with someone. The person who does this is very knowlegeable and it may be worth the $$ for you. Feliway is also available in most large pet supply stores. There is also a plug-in with Feliway that can help, although they are pricey.

Finally, if all else fails, ask your vet about using an antianxiety medication such as Buspar or Prozac. These very often work, however the decision to prescribe them will rest solely with your veterinarian who will be able to monitor the dosage and side effects. In Lumpy's case this may be the best option because he is more than likely acting out on being lonely.

Good luck! Let us know what happens!
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

JaimeMarie Dec 28, 2004 08:17 AM

First you lucky he is peeing in the shower and not on your bed. That is a lot easier to clean up.
Where are your litter boxes? If they are near something that makes noise he might get scared and jump out when he is going.

Also have you changed the brand of litter since he was a kitten? Maybe it has a scent he doesn't like. Or it hurts his feet.
There is a litter out called cat attracked litter. I would try that.
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Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

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Bad Potty Habits

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