Litter box situation! Need advice

[sev116]

Hello,
I am new to Pet Talk, but after reading so many of the posts, I thought perhaps you could help.

My brother (and roommate!) has 2 cats that he rescued several years ago. Both kitties, unfortunately, having issues consistently using the litter box. When I first moved in, there was a definite cat pee situation and we have spent much time and effort getting rid of the evidence around the house (ripping up carpet, bleaching the floor underneath, replacing padding, etc.). The cats have since been secluded to his bedroom, and now are isolated in his bathroom. Even in the bathroom, they will sometimes go in the bathtub. Both kitties have been checked out by a vet to rule out any medical issues that could be causing this, I think it just has more to do with their situations early in life, being neglected and not having a litter box when they were young.

I feel so bad for them being stuck in the bathroom by themselves all the time! They are very sweet, affectionate and loving kitties. But the fact is that they cannot be trusted and it's not okay to have cat pee all over the house! We have thought about making them outside cats, but we already have 2 outside kitties that they do not get along with. And plus, they are also very shy and timid, and have been inside all of their life- there are many other neighborhood cats and I'm afraid they just won't do well outside. We don't want to give them up to a shelter or other group, 1)because we don't want them to be put down, and 2)even if they do get adopted to another home, they will pee in the house again, and their new owners will not want to keep them and then they will have an uncertain future and either be continually displaced or worse.

My brother has tried various litter boxes, but so far nothing seems to make them only use the box (they do use the litter box, but just not 100% of the time).

Does anyone have any suggestions?? The kitties are lonely and isolated but we really don't know what else to do.

Thank you in advance for any thoughts!!


Sandy

[moosmom]

Sandy,

First thing you need to get them checked out at the vet to make sure they don't have UTI's, urinary tract infections. Once that is ruled out, get another litterbox. One box per cat. That's the rule.

As far as getting rid of the smell, Nok-Out is sold online and works great. If not, try Nature's Miracle, sold at any pet store.

If it's a behavioral problem, you can get a can of Feliway. Cats don't mind being in the bathroom as long as they have food, water and a litterbox (or two). Spray the bathroom with the Feliway (follow the directions on the can). It has an enzyme in it that calms them right down and will help of it's a behavioral problem.

I had both problems and that's what I did. Good luck. Let us know how you make out!

[Karen]

Yes, one litter box per cat, and being scrupulous about cleaning it (some cats are VERY picky, and won't use a box they deem 'too stinky'), and I do think Moosmom's advice is apt. Once the situation is better under control, he can work on expanding their zone of free reign, and I am glad you haven't just given up on them or made them outside cats when they are obviously inside kitties. I am glad they have been to the vet, so now he can work on the behavioral issue.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

[Medusa]

All good advice but I'll add one thing: if you've done everything that was suggested and the problem still continues, you might want to talk to your vet about medication. All of my cats are rescues and a couple of the boys had a pee war going on for a while. After doing all the things that you did, tearing up carpet, scrubbing floors, etc., I'd had enough. They were checked out, it wasn't physical so that means it was behavioral. My vet suggested a med called Clomicalm. It started out as a med for dogs w/aggression or separation anxiety issues but it's now routinely given to cats for behavioral issues. I give them 5 mg. at bed time. (You can't miss a dose or they may relapse.) Since then no side effects, no problems whatsoever and the pee problem is history. They've been on it for several years and I have blood work done yearly just to be safe.

I know you probably don't want to resort to medication; I didn't either but the alternatives that you mentioned just weren't viable for me either. Try all the other options first and if they work, great, but if they don't, Clomicalm has saved my house and best of all, it saved my cats from being secluded in the basement. I would never rehome them for the very reasons that you mentioned. Good luck and keep us posted. And btw, welcome to Pet Talk!

[sirrahbed]

I am sorry to read this but so glad you are looking for ideas to try and you will get very good suggestions here. I will simply repeat a few The one cat box per cat always seemed excessive to me but I have learned it is VERY important, especially to some cats. You might also try using one HUGE box. I have five cats and use three huge rubbermaid containers that hold 40# of litter. Also keep the boxes meticulously clean as some cats are very picky. I prefer clumping litter but even clay litter can be kept clean with care - getting every log & pee biscuit out daily or more often. (Pee biscuit = well, you get it) Keep trying things Sandy and thank you for caring about your brother's kitties. Oh yes and as moosmom mentioned there are some great enzyme cleaners that get even old stain and smells neutralized. I like nature's miracle and used it recently when we had some granddogs visiting.

[catmandu]

Sad to say , but Tubster Panther have litter box issues and there could be 100 boxes , he wont use them.
He pees all right , but poos by the box .
At least it is on newspaper!
We are sending prayers that your Friends can learn to be Clean Cats and be out and play with one and all.