Stopped Using the Litter Box

[newwoman1959]

To answer all of the questions posed by your responses.
- both boys are neutered
- none of my cat boxes are covered
- Max never bothers Felix when he's in the box
- the stools are pretty firm and dry and always have been for both cats, so I guess my next step would be a trip to the vet (you know they love that)
- I keep several litter boxes, but I'm not particularly diligent about cleaning (I change the litter once each week)

I have decided to try switching to the clumping litter and see if that helps, just in case it's the smell of the urine in the box that may be causing him to go outside the box.

Felix is a great cat and this is his only problem, so whether or not I resolve this he will stay with me in my home for the rest of his life - I'll just clean up after him if I have to.

Thanks again to all.

[Medusa]

- I keep several litter boxes, but I'm not particularly diligent about cleaning (I change the litter once each week)

That could be the problem right there. I clean the litterboxes twice a day, morning and night, and more often if I see heavy traffic. Think about it, you wouldn't go for a week at a time w/out flushing your toilet. Cats are fastidious creatures and like their litterboxes clean and fresh. I hope the answer is as simple as that. Good luck.

[newwoman1959]

You all were right! The cats have been with me for over 8 years and never complained about the cleanliness of their litterboxes, but apparently they are becoming more demanding as they reach middle age. I switched to scoopable litter and scoop every day now. Also, I provide three litterboxes for the two cats to make sure they don't get overloaded. Today is Felix's fourth day out of the crate without a mess on the floor so it's looking good (since he went on the floor the day after I let him out last time).

I also got a laser light to exercise the boys and Felix loves it! Max thinks Felix is an idiot because he obviously knows it is NOT a mouse, bug, or anything else that needs chasing. Max just sits and watches Felix make a fool of himself. Unfortunately, Max is the heavier of my cats, but not terribly fat.

Thanks for all the suggestions, thoughts, and support.

Jacque

[kb2yjx]

Glad things worked out, and the boys are happy!!!