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Page 1 of 2 Cats that dont use their litterbox.
Peeing out of the box - Ask your veterinarian about FLUTD - Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease. (This has NOTHING to do with kidneys!) If your cat is older, you need to consider other issues and should consult your veterinarian. Pooping out of the box - there are a number of medical causes!
 1. NO, YOUR CAT IS NOT MAD AT YOU. Something happened. Try to determine if your cat experienced a recent stress in it's life. "Stressors" could include changes in the weather, the cat's environment (a recent move, addition of a new pet, family member, the housesitter or a visitor), change in diet or feeding schedule, change in litter type, new cat (passing outside, seen through the window, or perceived to be invading space/aggressive.)
2. Provide at least one litter box per cat. These boxes should be in separate areas/rooms, NOT next to each other. Some cats (perfectly natural cat behaviour) prefer to pee and poo in different boxes.
3. Keep the boxes in "quiet" areas of the home - avoid high noise or high traffic areas - a common problem area is next to the washer/dryer. Try placing one litter box in a spare room for the affected cat (a room that other cats/pets/children do not have access). Litter boxes on the balcony limit access, cause undue stress and may not be clean nor quiet enough.
4. Do not use covered litter boxes (traps smells, becomes the feline "pit-toilet").
5. Use unscented, fine-grained type litters (different cats like different litter types.)
6. Clean the entire litter box thoroughly and keep it clean (scoop daily; weekly remove the litter (pour it to one side in an old box) and wash the litter box with an unscented detergent; completely replace litter monthly). Cats are clean freaks and many resist using a dirty litter box.
7. Keep food and water bowls in a quiet area of the home, away from windows, heat vents, exhaust fans, etc. Keep the food and water bowls away from the litter box location. Try the general rule - bathroom in the bathroom, food and water in the kitchen/dining area. Thoroughly unhygienic to mix the two!
8. It is important to remember that cat behaviour CANNOT be likened to human, and that the break in litter box training is not due to any forethought or malice on the cat's part. Behaviour problems occur when the multiple needs of a normal cats are not entirely met. Allow the cat more space and a chance to be a cat. Provide toys that allow the cat to chase and catch, and adequate surfaces for scratching behaviour. Ensure each cat has:
- Own litter box - a clean safe place to pee and poo, secure from competition;
- Own quiet secure feeding area;
- Own water bowl - these can be in different locations around the home, not necessarily next to the food bowl;.
- A warm safe hiding/sleeping place; and a retreat from other cats, pets and people;
- Own high spot to watch the world;
- A scratching post at least 3 feet high, pedestal on top, solid base and a horizontal scratching area; of substrates adequate to satisfy marking behaviour and claw care.
- Grooming time - use a ZoomGroom, especially around the chin - gentle loving interaction and social time.
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