Hello Cat People!
I have a 12 year old kitty. Due to some behavior issues she lives most of the time in my master bedroom. I do have one other cat but he is never is allowed in the master bedroom, so the space is all hers. I am working with a Pet Behaviorist on trying to get the cats to live together but there is a lot of baggage against that. Her name is MooMoo. MooMoo only uses the litter box 70% of the time. She will both urinate and defecate both in and out of the litter box. She only goes within 6 feet of the box. Never anywhere else. So it is always in or near the box. I cannot figure out why. She doesnt cry in pain, she doesnt have loose stool, she doesn't have blood. She does jump in and out quickly, like the less time in the box the better. And she digs at the carpet around her box. She never covers up any of her messes in the box.
1. I have changed her litter from regular Tidy Cat stuff to a more sand like corn based product (better for her, me, and the environment). Neither type of litter seemed to make a difference.
2. I use Cat Attract. Also does not seem to matter.
3. I clean it 2-3 times a day mainly because I am home.
4. I replace the litter once a month
5. I use a lidless extra large low profile flat box with no liner because she is older
6. It is tucked away in an alcove of my bedroom with low foot traffic but enough space for her to not feel cornered
7. The vet has cleared her medically
8. We use Feliway, a calming collar, and just recently put her on anti-anxiety medication
9. I have a UV light, enzymatic cleaners, and even bought a carpet shampooer to ensure no hidden messes
Her background is that she used to belong to my grandmother who passed away 6 months ago. She lived the first 12 years of her life with my grandmother until I took her in 6 months ago. During the time with my grandmother she was a solo pet. My grandmother was not very well so she did not clean her litter box often. Sometimes going weeks without cleaning it. The cat got used to going all over the house and avoiding the port-o-potty litter box. I have been trying to reteach her, but maybe after 12 years of one behavior it is too late to reteach her?
I have a 12 year old kitty. Due to some behavior issues she lives most of the time in my master bedroom. I do have one other cat but he is never is allowed in the master bedroom, so the space is all hers. I am working with a Pet Behaviorist on trying to get the cats to live together but there is a lot of baggage against that. Her name is MooMoo. MooMoo only uses the litter box 70% of the time. She will both urinate and defecate both in and out of the litter box. She only goes within 6 feet of the box. Never anywhere else. So it is always in or near the box. I cannot figure out why. She doesnt cry in pain, she doesnt have loose stool, she doesn't have blood. She does jump in and out quickly, like the less time in the box the better. And she digs at the carpet around her box. She never covers up any of her messes in the box.
1. I have changed her litter from regular Tidy Cat stuff to a more sand like corn based product (better for her, me, and the environment). Neither type of litter seemed to make a difference.
2. I use Cat Attract. Also does not seem to matter.
3. I clean it 2-3 times a day mainly because I am home.
4. I replace the litter once a month
5. I use a lidless extra large low profile flat box with no liner because she is older
6. It is tucked away in an alcove of my bedroom with low foot traffic but enough space for her to not feel cornered
7. The vet has cleared her medically
8. We use Feliway, a calming collar, and just recently put her on anti-anxiety medication
9. I have a UV light, enzymatic cleaners, and even bought a carpet shampooer to ensure no hidden messes
Her background is that she used to belong to my grandmother who passed away 6 months ago. She lived the first 12 years of her life with my grandmother until I took her in 6 months ago. During the time with my grandmother she was a solo pet. My grandmother was not very well so she did not clean her litter box often. Sometimes going weeks without cleaning it. The cat got used to going all over the house and avoiding the port-o-potty litter box. I have been trying to reteach her, but maybe after 12 years of one behavior it is too late to reteach her?