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How to retrain a cat who is urinating outside of its litter box?
No health issues. We think who gave her to us lied about her age, and she wasn't around her mother long enough to learn how to use the box. We have a blanket that to this day she will try to nurse to go to sleep. She is a little under a year now and we can't get rid of this issue of the litterbox. She will use it sometimes, and other times she finds the carpet more appropriate. What can I do?
4 Answers
- BortLv 74 years ago
There is no such thing as "training" a cat. A cat can not be trained. They do what they want, when they want, how they want, whenever they want.
The trick is to design your home/their habitat in a way that makes them do their thing in a manor more to your liking.
Cats want to bury their poo and urinate in either water, or sand, or very loose soil. That is why most cats automatically go to a liter box. A liter box simulates what they prefer to do their business in.
Try changing the type of liter, if after trying a few liter brands she's still using the floor to answer nature calls try using loose soil (potting soil...how many times have you heard of a cat going in a potted plant? That's why.), sand, sheet rock dust, and loose rocks.
It is also a possibility that she's doing it in retaliation of something or because she wants more attention or play.
Scalding or yelling at a cat just doesn't work, getting violent with them is just plain a bad idea - they will get violent too defending themselves and that could be a very bad situation for everyone. Try playing with her more, being more affectionate and spending more time with her, give her more attention and try different types of liter, you may find one she likes.
Or...let her outside. She will do her business out there and will come back for food and to see you / pay you visits. The more she loves you, the more attention and play you give her, the more often you will see her if you try leaving her out.
- Elaine MLv 74 years ago
NO cat can resist using sand. Get a bag of sandbox sand from any hardware store and put that in the litter box, show it to her, and remind her three or four times a day that it's there by carrying her to it and setting her in it. She'll jump out again, but the setting her in it will 'stick'.
- J CLv 74 years ago
The cat doesn't need 'training'. Did the vet do a urinalysis to look for crystals and bacteria in her urine? Is the box clean - meaning scooped twice a day, each and every day? Is the box uncovered? Many cats will not use a covered box as it holds the smell in too well - take the cover off. Add a second box. Is she spayed? Many unsprayed cats will urine mark out of the box. Was she declawed? Declawing results in some serious side effects in at least 1/3 of cats, and one of the most common ones is refusal to use the box, as their mutilated paws are too painful to dig. Start with the vet visit for the urinary tract infection, and the condition of the litter box. And if she has been declawed - well then the situation will not change.
- 4 years ago
Where ever she pee's most on the floor put the litter box there. Everytime she pees or poos on the floor dont shove her face in it, But hold her there to smell it... Then put her in the litter tray and move the poo or scent over to the litter tray.
Then when she uses it give her a treat.