Hello lovely cat people..I’m desperatly looking for advice. I have two indoor, 5 year old rescue cats, my wee girl is a perfect normal cat, my boy has has a lot of problems since I adopted them last May. He started weeing outside the box which (long story short) he ended up diagnosed with struvite crystals. He’s better now hes on a prescription diet, and doing a lot better (apart from still needing to lose 1kg) ..he’s never been 100% with using the litter tray after that but was doing well, until recently where he has really stopped using it pretty much at all (he still poops in it but wees on the floor!) and I am at my wits end...I really have tried everything and even the vet seems to have run out of ideas! If anyone can offer advice I’d be eternally grateful!! xx
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Litter Tray Problems!
- Thread starter fox&elkie
- Start Date
That behavior is the classical sign of a UTI. The crystals are likely back (or, never really completely gone), and the irritation of the crystals is causing inflammation/infection/pain. With a male cat, and crystals, you don't fool around.
A cat will poop in the litterbox but not pee in it because they associate the peeing with pain and think the box is the culprit.
I don't know why the vet is puzzled. Why do you say that? Has he done another urinalysis/urine culture/x-rays and found nothing?
A cat will poop in the litterbox but not pee in it because they associate the peeing with pain and think the box is the culprit.
I don't know why the vet is puzzled. Why do you say that? Has he done another urinalysis/urine culture/x-rays and found nothing?
Hi!
In case there is something here that might help;
Have you tried a litter called Cat Attract? Be sure the litters you try are unscented.
Can you put him in a room with his things and several litter boxes with different litters, pee pads on the floor and tarps or already-opened shower curtains on everything else (new, just out of the package ones have a smell/fumes), and music - try MusicForCats . com or low volume classical harp music for a couple hours at a time.
How To Choose The Right Cat Litter
How To Solve Litterbox Problems In Cats: The Ultimate Guide
Also, is he being fed only dry food? Try feeding him canned food - there is fancy feast, chewy . com's tiny tiger, tractor supply's Paws and Claws or 4Health.
If you're trying to get him to lose weight, do it really really slowly. Start weighing him once a week. Sometimes just a change to wet food will start a weight decrease, along with some exercise, gently at first, which will help as well.
7 Proven Ways To Get Your Cat To Be More Active
Transitioning Your Cat From Kibble To A New Type Of Food (canned, Raw, Or Homemade)
How Much Food Should I Feed My Cat?
In case there is something here that might help;
Have you tried a litter called Cat Attract? Be sure the litters you try are unscented.
Can you put him in a room with his things and several litter boxes with different litters, pee pads on the floor and tarps or already-opened shower curtains on everything else (new, just out of the package ones have a smell/fumes), and music - try MusicForCats . com or low volume classical harp music for a couple hours at a time.
How To Choose The Right Cat Litter
How To Solve Litterbox Problems In Cats: The Ultimate Guide
Also, is he being fed only dry food? Try feeding him canned food - there is fancy feast, chewy . com's tiny tiger, tractor supply's Paws and Claws or 4Health.
If you're trying to get him to lose weight, do it really really slowly. Start weighing him once a week. Sometimes just a change to wet food will start a weight decrease, along with some exercise, gently at first, which will help as well.
7 Proven Ways To Get Your Cat To Be More Active
Transitioning Your Cat From Kibble To A New Type Of Food (canned, Raw, Or Homemade)
How Much Food Should I Feed My Cat?
Hello and welcome to TCS. Sorry it's litterbox issues that brought you here. I agree with
FeebysOwner
that it sounds like the UTI is back. Or has that been ruled out.
FeebysOwner
that it sounds like the UTI is back. Or has that been ruled out.- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #5
Thanks for the replies, he has been checked a couple of times in the last two weeks by the vet and the crystals are not back, and no sign of a uti his ph is under 7 , no sign of blood and his bladder is not inflamed. (I have strips at home to test his urine) I do think there is an association there between the pain and the litter tray, I also wonder if it is because his sister sometimes uses it too? I use the wood pellets litter as I’ve read that’s better for cats with struvite problems. I just don’t know what to try to reassure him the tray is ok?
He’s on a mix of wet and dry food (both prescription to lower the ph and prevent crystals forming) but the vet has suggested slowly switching to just the dry to keep him fuller (he’s always hungry). The vet has said I am doing everything right to try and stop him peeing on the floor and that there is no sign of a problem with his bladder so they can’t work it out?
I have 5 litter trays in my wee flat, one without litter as he used to be great at peeing in an empty try if he wanted a smooth surface (and great for getting samples).
He’s on a mix of wet and dry food (both prescription to lower the ph and prevent crystals forming) but the vet has suggested slowly switching to just the dry to keep him fuller (he’s always hungry). The vet has said I am doing everything right to try and stop him peeing on the floor and that there is no sign of a problem with his bladder so they can’t work it out?
I have 5 litter trays in my wee flat, one without litter as he used to be great at peeing in an empty try if he wanted a smooth surface (and great for getting samples).
Have you tried pee pads and other types of litters (maybe wheat or something with a different texture?) Have you tried different types of litter boxes with the different type of litter?
It may just be an association thing .... but just in case I would make sure he was completely healthy/pain free. One poster wrote about their cat peeing in their bed ...... to find out their cat had cancer!!! I would want to make sure your cat was OK first and work on his behavior second.
It may just be an association thing .... but just in case I would make sure he was completely healthy/pain free. One poster wrote about their cat peeing in their bed ...... to find out their cat had cancer!!! I would want to make sure your cat was OK first and work on his behavior second.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #7
I’ve tried all the litters available here and when I first switched to the pellets he was doing great! They are the safest ones for him.
I’ve had him checked loads (he’s very well known at my vets!) and the vet seems happy he is ok and says it is a behavioural thing. He is a very sensitive cat, he’s always been a bit anxious and has been through a lot since I’m got him. I very nearly lost him because of the crystals in September, thankfully I was in the flat at the time and knew what to look for and got him to the vet fast enough!
I’ve managed to now corden off his main preferred peeing site now to hopefully encourage him to go somewhere else, however he found a new spot, that area is now covered in blankets and mats to protect the floor and I’ve moved his preferred litter tray there. I have a wee bit of feliway spray left so trying that there too. (Wonder if I should try that more but it’s so expensive) I have pet remedy plug in in the hall and a feliway one in the living room. I’m trying to increase playtime (I admit I’ve not been great with that as he never seemed up for play before, now I realise because he was in pain, and there are very few things he likes to play with) and increased attention (before my other cat). I want to try to get a better routine but I work lots of different hours so that’s quite difficult.
I’ve had him checked loads (he’s very well known at my vets!) and the vet seems happy he is ok and says it is a behavioural thing. He is a very sensitive cat, he’s always been a bit anxious and has been through a lot since I’m got him. I very nearly lost him because of the crystals in September, thankfully I was in the flat at the time and knew what to look for and got him to the vet fast enough!
I’ve managed to now corden off his main preferred peeing site now to hopefully encourage him to go somewhere else, however he found a new spot, that area is now covered in blankets and mats to protect the floor and I’ve moved his preferred litter tray there. I have a wee bit of feliway spray left so trying that there too. (Wonder if I should try that more but it’s so expensive) I have pet remedy plug in in the hall and a feliway one in the living room. I’m trying to increase playtime (I admit I’ve not been great with that as he never seemed up for play before, now I realise because he was in pain, and there are very few things he likes to play with) and increased attention (before my other cat). I want to try to get a better routine but I work lots of different hours so that’s quite difficult.
Hi!
For example, Only Natural Pet has a spray product called Just Relax Calming spray with essential oil (catnip oil).
There are also treats, collars, and diffusers made by many companies.
There's this one, be sure and scroll all the way down the page;
Bach Flower Remedies - Rescue Remedy Pets Dogs Cats Horses Birds
Music can be useful in helping a cat to relax (not 24 hours a day though, just now and then for a couple hours or so).
Low volume classical harp music, there is an app called Relax My Cat, and there's MusicForCats . com as some sources.
You could try one of these, only a small selection of a fast-growing section of pet products;
Richard's Organics Pet Calm-this one is drops that you put on the tip of the tongue. Also, Quiet Moments Cat treats, there is Calming Care, Calm-o-mile, Sentry, Natures Miracle calming spray, Vetri-Science's Composure is another item to look at, Pet Remedy (it has valerian) is yet another, as is Essential Pet Pet-ease, Only Natural Pet (brand and website) has calming products, Pet Naturals also has one I believe.
Also Thunderease has diffusers as does Sentry, Comfort Zone and feliway although diffusers are expensive and not always the answer.
If it's legal where you are, you might want to check with your vet but some people have good results with CBD oil, plus there are vet-prescribed calming products too.
Lambert Vet Supply is a website to look at, and of course chewy, also there's Petwishpros, animaleo, Petco and PetSmart, and other pet stores.
There is also a product called a lickimat which could be helpful, as cats can be calmed by the process of licking. The LickiMat - Food Puzzles for Cats
This discussion's post talks about some other products;
Calming Treats For A Very Picky Cat
Maybe there's something in this list that will help.
For example, Only Natural Pet has a spray product called Just Relax Calming spray with essential oil (catnip oil).
There are also treats, collars, and diffusers made by many companies.
There's this one, be sure and scroll all the way down the page;
Bach Flower Remedies - Rescue Remedy Pets Dogs Cats Horses Birds
Music can be useful in helping a cat to relax (not 24 hours a day though, just now and then for a couple hours or so).
Low volume classical harp music, there is an app called Relax My Cat, and there's MusicForCats . com as some sources.
You could try one of these, only a small selection of a fast-growing section of pet products;
Richard's Organics Pet Calm-this one is drops that you put on the tip of the tongue. Also, Quiet Moments Cat treats, there is Calming Care, Calm-o-mile, Sentry, Natures Miracle calming spray, Vetri-Science's Composure is another item to look at, Pet Remedy (it has valerian) is yet another, as is Essential Pet Pet-ease, Only Natural Pet (brand and website) has calming products, Pet Naturals also has one I believe.
Also Thunderease has diffusers as does Sentry, Comfort Zone and feliway although diffusers are expensive and not always the answer.
If it's legal where you are, you might want to check with your vet but some people have good results with CBD oil, plus there are vet-prescribed calming products too.
Lambert Vet Supply is a website to look at, and of course chewy, also there's Petwishpros, animaleo, Petco and PetSmart, and other pet stores.
There is also a product called a lickimat which could be helpful, as cats can be calmed by the process of licking. The LickiMat - Food Puzzles for Cats
This discussion's post talks about some other products;
Calming Treats For A Very Picky Cat
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I would do the opposite. I would decrease the dry food and increase the canned food and see if that solves it.
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Well you said you tried everything else. Switching to wet food is what worked for my boy cat.
I don't know what food your vet recommended, but Royal Canin SO, Hill's C/D, and Purina Pro Urinary ALL have both wet & dry. They are all for urinary care. There is another one called Wysong Uretic, but I am not sure whether it also has a wet form in addition to the dry. While the dry foods have more calories, most of those calories are junk.
Are you using an enzymatic cleaner wherever he is peeing? If he can still smell the urine from where he peed before, he'll start to associate that as a place to potty. An enzymatic cleaner will get rid of that smell.
How many litter boxes do you have? If it's just the one, it might be a good idea to get another for some testing. You can try putting puppy pads in the bottom of another litter box and see if he'll use it. He might not like the texture of the litter. Puppy pads will have similar texture to the floor.
You might also want to just try and litter train him again. If you see him start to squat, try and pick him up and place him in the litter box. He may need to re-associate the litter box for peeing.
As for food: I'm not gonna fight your vet on what they're telling you. However, and especially for a cat with a history of crystals or uti, wet food is better. They need all the extra moister they can get in their diet. You can feed both wet and dry. My cats get wet at night. And that I'm aware, if you can find a wet food that is higher protein and less carb, it should keep your cat feeling fuller longer. You'll want the same for dry food too though. High protein, low carb (and for your cat, low phosphorus too).
How many litter boxes do you have? If it's just the one, it might be a good idea to get another for some testing. You can try putting puppy pads in the bottom of another litter box and see if he'll use it. He might not like the texture of the litter. Puppy pads will have similar texture to the floor.
You might also want to just try and litter train him again. If you see him start to squat, try and pick him up and place him in the litter box. He may need to re-associate the litter box for peeing.
As for food: I'm not gonna fight your vet on what they're telling you. However, and especially for a cat with a history of crystals or uti, wet food is better. They need all the extra moister they can get in their diet. You can feed both wet and dry. My cats get wet at night. And that I'm aware, if you can find a wet food that is higher protein and less carb, it should keep your cat feeling fuller longer. You'll want the same for dry food too though. High protein, low carb (and for your cat, low phosphorus too).
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #15
So I was using the enzymatic cleaner but it didn’t work at all (although I have very old floor boards so it’s alwas going to be hard to get into the cracks) I’m now using biological washing powder as it has enzymes in it. I’ve also managed to make a gate to keep him away from the area, its in front of the front door so was always hard to keep him away (Although he has now found a new spot but at least it’s easier to protect the floor there)
I have 5 litter trays, he has a preference for the hooded one but has used an empty normal one on occasion. I will try the puppy pads though and see if he likes that.
I do try to get a litter tray under him if I’m in when he does it but a lot of the time it’s at night or when I’m out annoyingly.
I want to stick to what the vet has suggested for the food, they have treated him the whole time he was really ill so I feel they know him best. They say the dry food makes him drink more (which it does) and is better for keeping the ph down. It’s a specific dry food for struvite crystal prevention. They also say it will keep him in fuller which will help with him waking me up all night for food (I’ve not slept properly in a long time and it’s getting difficult) but will keep discussing it with the vets!
From what I’ve learned about him I think it is a fear thing (he was so ill so I do understand why) I just don’t know how to help him get he confidence of the litter trays back, should I be doing more? What more can I do? Will it come naturally with time?
I have 5 litter trays, he has a preference for the hooded one but has used an empty normal one on occasion. I will try the puppy pads though and see if he likes that.
I do try to get a litter tray under him if I’m in when he does it but a lot of the time it’s at night or when I’m out annoyingly.
I want to stick to what the vet has suggested for the food, they have treated him the whole time he was really ill so I feel they know him best. They say the dry food makes him drink more (which it does) and is better for keeping the ph down. It’s a specific dry food for struvite crystal prevention. They also say it will keep him in fuller which will help with him waking me up all night for food (I’ve not slept properly in a long time and it’s getting difficult) but will keep discussing it with the vets!
From what I’ve learned about him I think it is a fear thing (he was so ill so I do understand why) I just don’t know how to help him get he confidence of the litter trays back, should I be doing more? What more can I do? Will it come naturally with time?
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #16
He is on royal canin s/o wet food and eukanuba urinary struvite dry food recommended by the vet.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #17
Did he suffer from struvite crystals too? Which wet food were you using?
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I'm not sure about crystals, but he gets blocked up and pees all over the house if he eats too much dry food. So I had to cut back on the dry food and increase canned food. I just use Friskies pates. You can ask your vet about it, if you tried everything else, it's worth a try to switch to canned food for a week and see if it cures it.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #19
He needs to be on a specific struvite diet to lower his ph and prevent the crystals forming, he developed them back in September and his urethra was blocked with 1cm of the crystals and he couldn’t wee at all and if I hadn’t got him to the vet that afternoon like I did he would have had to be put down. The diet is working well and he’s been so much better since then so I don’t want to stop using this specific diet.
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- #20
Thanks for all that info, will have a look at it all. I’ve tried the rescue remedy and zykliene tablets (I use these in august as we have fireworks every night here and I’m not sure if that’s why he got his first uti last year so will be using them earlier this year!) will look up that spray too, they have never been that fussed with catnip but if there’s other stuff in it too, or if it’s cheaper than the feliway one! I’m using pet remedy as feliway plug ins just how too (and have used them pretty steadily the whole time I’ve had the cats (10 months)
I looked up the music this morning and put some on (it worked on me, I had a lovely nap!) ..will keep trying that for an hour or so a day!
The lickimats look good too, he is very food orientated so any way he has to work for food it really helpful, I have a few treat dispensing balls (which I use for dry food as he isn’t allowed treats till his weight goes down a bit) and I’ve just ordered another one where he has to pull he food out with his paw (I think).
I looked up the music this morning and put some on (it worked on me, I had a lovely nap!) ..will keep trying that for an hour or so a day!
The lickimats look good too, he is very food orientated so any way he has to work for food it really helpful, I have a few treat dispensing balls (which I use for dry food as he isn’t allowed treats till his weight goes down a bit) and I’ve just ordered another one where he has to pull he food out with his paw (I think).
he recur
