My cat has a new place to pee and poop!

**Daisygirl** · 05-16-2008, 05:43 AM

Help!

My cat of 6 years has suddenly started using a corner of the family room instead of her litter box. She is peeing and pooping there constantly. I ried putting something over it so she couldn't and she simply goes beside the box I put in her way!

In 6 years I have never had this issue. Since it has started I have been changing the litter every single day. It is the same litter we have always used.

HELP!

**kellydoeshair** · 05-16-2008, 06:24 AM

my cat did this about a year ago on our NICE carpet downstairs
they HATE HATE HATE citrus smells so put several citrus air fresheners in the area where she likes to go,
also sometimes they get irritated if their litterbox isn't getting changed/ scooped as often as they'd like, doesn't mean it's filthy or anything but some cats are really particular
I used these fresheners just put them RIGHT on the floor
they are kind of expensive, but it's cheaper than having the carpets deep cleaned/ replaced
http://www.citrusmagic.com/cgi-bin/c...item=616471279

**SewCrafty** · 05-16-2008, 06:26 AM

Take her to the vet, she may have a urinary infection. More prevelent (sp) in females than males. What she is thinking is, it hurts to pee, so if I don't go in the litter box it won't hurt. Crazy I know, but it's the cats' way of thinking.

**favesis37** · 05-16-2008, 06:56 AM

i agree, take her to the vet. good luck and keep us posted.

**Rosebush3** · 05-16-2008, 07:16 AM

I had a cat who at 12 years old decided to start using the bathtub to pee. She was an outdoor cat with no litterbox. A trip to the vet revealed an infection. I hope all works out well with your kitty

**MirandaK** · 05-16-2008, 08:39 AM

Go directly to the vet...do not pass to...do not collect 200 bucks.

Rule out a UTI before working on behavioral issues.

Good luck!!!!!!

**pinetree** · 05-16-2008, 11:55 AM

I agree, had the same thing happen here,, go to the vet UTI, keep us posted..

**Cricket1** · 05-16-2008, 12:17 PM

We had a male cat that did the same thing--as everyone else said, it was a UTI. Good luck.

**Persimmon Lace** · 05-16-2008, 01:35 PM

UTIs cause a lot of these types of problems. :hugz

**halloweenfreak** · 05-16-2008, 01:39 PM

has anything changed in your house? we had one that started using everything but the litterbox when we brought our son home from the hospital for the first time.

**Daisygirl** · 05-17-2008, 07:27 AM

Nope, no changes. I am going to call around and find a vet that is open today (mine isn't).

What fun to shove a snarling hissing cat into the carrier and listen to her howl all the way to the vets office!

Thanks for the advice ladies! I'll let you know what happens at the vet!

**Frugal Nurse** · 05-17-2008, 07:54 AM

Urinary issue.

Male cats can get kidney trouble if they eat dry food (exclusively) and not enough water.

Cats in distress associate the litter box as the cause of the pain.

First sign of trouble is urinating elsewhere.

**Darlene** · 05-17-2008, 10:32 AM

If it is urinary...Our male cat was put on meds & switched to a low magnesium food that was vet prescribed & pricey. I switched to a lower cost (still higher priced than norm but much better) food from Purina made just for Urinary Health that I could buy in the grocery store. (walmart carries the bigger bag & is cheaper)After using that he never had any problem except putting on weight. Didn't like paying so much for food but it's better than the consequences of not.
http://www.purinaone.com/Products/Pr...8-274567B0ECE5

**AmyMCGS** · 05-17-2008, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by SewCrafty

Take her to the vet, she may have a urinary infection. More prevelent (sp) in females than males. What she is thinking is, it hurts to pee, so if I don't go in the litter box it won't hurt. Crazy I know, but it's the cats' way of thinking.

Yep-- my thoughts, too. Our older cat (now deceased) started using a throw rug all the time instead of her box, which was just across the same room. It turned out she had an infection, and after it cleared up, she resumed her normal litter box use.

Also-- tin foil keeps some cats away from areas you don't want them to walk on-- just lay down a piece.

**RABBIT** · 05-17-2008, 04:57 PM

If it turns out to NOT be a UTI, which it sounds as though it could be, try using Attract cat litter. It is supposed to be 99% (or something like that) effective. My sister's cat was not using the box and there was no medical reason so I told her to use the Attract litter for awhile and move a litter box upstairs and that worked. The Attract litter is expensive but you only use it until the cat starts using the box again.