My barn cat won't use a litter box. What should I do?
You can mix the substance, such as dirt or hay, that your cat presently uses, with the kitty litter. Increase the kitty litter until the cat is used to it.
There are other tips on training an outdoor car to use the litter box here www.vetstreet.com/
Choose a natural, unscented cat litter that won't offend their nose. Scented cat litters are a definite no-no, but even some unscented and natural cat litters, like pine pellets, can smell strong and may put your cat off.
Make sure to choose an open litter box, rather than a covered one. A larger sized litter box with high sides is also a good idea, as it may take your barn cat a while to get used to the idea of using a confined area.
Placing the litter tray down the end of a hallway or in the corner of the room may be your preference, but your barn cat may feel trapped in those areas and choose not to use a litter box there. Placing the litter box in a relatively open area will help your cat feel more confident. As your cat gains confidence, you can slowly move the litter box somewhere that you'd prefer to keep it long term.
Artificial feline pheromones can help your cat feel confident and comfortable in their surroundings. If your cat smells feline pheromones around their new litter box, they're far more likely to feel like the litter box is something familiar that they can feel happy using.
As you see your cat using their new litter box, praise them as they're getting out of the box and give her treats.
Cats have a sensitive sense of smell, and if their little box smells dirty, they simply won't use it. Make sure to clean out the box at least once a day, although multiple cleanings every day are preferable if you can. You'll also need to regularly empty all the litter from the box and clean the box before filling it with completely fresh litter.
Once your cat is happily using their new litter box, you can start gradually making changes if you want to. You may want to move the litter box, switch to a different litter, or switch to a covered or automatic litter box. Just make sure to make any changes slowly. You may want to keep at least one litter box that's set up with the same litter as the box that your cat has already gotten used to. That way, your cat has the choice of using this or the new setup.
Set up a litter box in a quiet place. Place your cat in it, but dont make a big deal of it. Just set her in, talk to her and praise her. If she jumps right out, that's fine. She now knows where the box is and will use it, we hope, when the time is right.
Unlike dogs that need to be housebroken, cats seem to have a natural instinct to use the box. If she goes outside the box, dont scold her. Just clean it up to remove the stain and odor, and keep trying.
Check with your local pet food store. There are products you can spray or sprinkle on the litter to encourage the cat to use it.
You could try filling the box with dirt or sand from outside and gradually transition to commercial litter.
Fellow cat owners, I need help. I have a 7 year old female who absolutely hates the basement! I have moved the litter box back to the basement, but now Bear is using the area by our shoes and our shoes, as well as, behind the TV stand.
How do I get her to stop using our shoes and get her to use the litter boxes? My boyfriend and I even built a litter box that is 3 steps down in the wall towards the basement yesterday morning for her. When I woke up this morning I cleaned up 4 different spots from her on the main floor and go figure one in our shoes! Please help me thank you in advance.
I have made an improvised litter for my tabby cat. My previous Shirazi cat doesn't have any issue with the shredded newspaper as litter, but my tabby cat seems to have no interest of using it at all, instead, he always likes to poop on the rags or worst, my laundry.
What can you suggest on how to encourage my cat to use shredded newspaper as litter?
You seem to have been lucky with your first cat. Most cats don't like the shredded paper because it sticks to their paws because it stays wet.
I have three cats. Freddy is 8 mos and fixed. Kiki is 7 months and not fixed yet. Rocky is 2 and fixed. We'll just say my husband isn't patient when it comes to their behaviors. Freddy is skittish but very affectionate. He will headbutt you until you have a headache. But, he pees and poops (mostly pees) on furniture and the floor right in front of you. I know he's trying to communicate, but my husband just thinks he's being bad. He seems healthy, so I think it's behavioral. It's strange that he will stare you in the face as he does it. Today he peed on the floor right in front of my husband as he came home.
Kiki is just naughty. I'm a teacher and she loves to help me grade papers. Freddy and Kiki now jump in the trash can. Kiki chews on anything she can sink he teeth into.
Rocky is our fatso. She's been on a diet and lost 3 lbs, but she's still big and because we have two other cats and both work we can't keep them from eating each others food. Rocky is fluffy and sweet, but she has pooping problems and drags it places. My husband says she's naughty and poops places, but she doesn't. She's a long hair and it gets stuck. I'm sure her weight makes cleaning difficult also.
What do I do with these cats? I'm on vacation so I've been home most everyday. Today I had to deal with car issues and I think that's what is wrong with Freddy. Kiki is a little monster. She's the boss around here. At 7lbs she flips 14 lb Rocky. I don't know what to do about her mischievousness. Rocky needs to be shaved and I'm scared to do it even though we have the tool. I don't want to hurt her.
Any advice, suggestions of other issues?
Well, kitties are lively, but your bunch does seem a bit over the top! Cats have definite personalities, and I sense some rivalry and stress. Maybe Kiki is annoying the others when they want to use the litterbox; separating her from the others when you are out would help there. Also, they would need at least 3 litter trays in nice secure places.
Also make resting-places - high up and fairly inaccessible, say a cushion on top of a cupboard - for the pestered cats to have some peace.
Trim Rocky's fur a bit at a time, so that it is not too traumatic for both of you.
Kiki may settle down as she ages, but don't count on it. Our Pippin is only settling now - at 10 years!
Add more litter boxes. You may have to seperate them some-put them in different rooms with a litter box when your not home so they can have some quiet time
This is a page about cat stopped using litter box. Determining the reason your cat has stopped using its litter box is the first step in correcting this behavior.
This is a page about kitten not using the litter box. Although many kittens will quickly learn to use a litter box, some take encouragement and patience.
We have seven, yes seven cats inside, 6 males and one female, all fixed. Originally we just had one, who is now about 4. We feed ferrules and one was really small, and we were afraid he wouldn't survive the winter so we brought him in and the female wanted to come in, so we brought her in as well, and added a second litter box. Everything was still good.
Then we had a mama cat get trapped and killed, intentionally, by a neighbor (he got into legal trouble and won't do that again). She had five, 5 week old kittens. One died, but we had to bring them in to care for them. They're about a year old now. After we brought them in our older cat started going to the bathroom in the hall or on floor in our bathroom. He is a moody cat anyway and this seems to just be him rebelling. Any ideas?
This is territorial behavior. You have too many cats and not enough territory (space) and your cat is trying to tell you that.
Just as grown children move away from mom and dad, these "kids" need their own territory. Another home with good owners who care for them.
By the way, two litterboxes isn't enough for 7 cats, since their territorial behavior extends to the boxes. Cats can "claim" certain boxes and other cats won't want to go there.
We have two female cats ages, 3.5 years and 15 years. We have introduced a male kitten in the last 6 weeks. He is a rescue that we have been fostering since he was 7 weeks old. We kept him in his own room especially at night for the first 3 weeks and slowly introduced him to our two cats. 2.5 weeks ago we gave him full access to the house without human supervision or intervention.
We have a RoboKitty Litter box. It basically automatically cleans itself. He has been 95% great about potty training. He has had a few peeing accidents especially in one specific corner of our living room. We have blocked the area off and have tried to be vigilant about getting him to litterbox and that has been successful. However, we have now noticed that our two female cats are pointedly going pee outside when we let them out for their supervised time in our back yard. Is this a sign of stress? How should I remedy this? Should I get a second Robokitty litterbox? Has anyone had success with Feliway cat diffusers? I am seeking tried and true methods.
I'm not sure I understand the problem.
Your female cats are peeing outside. But are they peeing anywhere they shouldn't indoors?
For three cats you should have at least two litter boxes. This may be why they choose to go elsewhere.
Stress is guaranteed with a new kitten, so yes stress is normal. I recommend you get at least one new litter box, preferably two. I wouldn't worry about the cats going outside, and things will settle down with time. Good luck.