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#1
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Cat won't use littler box anymore
Here's the story.
I saved a cat from being put down, after the old owner allowed his weight to go up to 32 lbs. After 5 years, he stopped walking, and of course he stopped using his box. He just urinated where he was sitting, and I started a ritual of washing him and doing what I could to clean the floor. The vet put him on a strict diet and glocosamine. A few weeks have passed and he is "down" to just 30 lbs, and he walks as well as he did before. BUT HE STILL REFUSES TO USE HIS LITTER BOX. He doesn't go where he is sitting. Instead, he gets up and walks to the same spot, just next to the box, and goes there. Always in the same spot. I can't figure this out. He is right next to the box, but he won't use it, and if I pick him up and put him in the box he fights me and acts like he can't get out fast enough. Please help. I have to leave town in July for a week, and I can't leave him with a sitter. I'd have to get a boarding place for him, which I really don't want to do. Dom |
#2
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Cat won't use littler box anymore
First, while I'm happy that you are working on reducing his weight, I
hope your vet has stressed how important it is for him to SLOWLY lose the weight. Like with humans, rapid weight loss can be dangerous for cats. On to your original question, what kind of litter box do you have? Is it covered? If it's covered, try removing the cover. Perhaps it's painful or difficult for him to get in the box. Try a low-sided box, or cut away part of the side on the existing box to see if that helps. If he's that overweight, he might need a low side until he can get to a more manageable weight. How many boxes do you have? Try adding another one. What kind of litter do you use--he might not like what you're using. Try an unscented clumping litter. You can also try the Cat Attract litter. If he's trying to avoid the box, there's something that he doesn't like about it. Where exactly is he going? Is it feasible to put a box there? Lastly, try adding a Feliway diffuser. They were made for cats with litter box problems. Sorry for all of the questions. The more information we have, the better we can help you. Rene ps, Since you've been to the vet, I'm hoping you've ruled out a medical problem? If not, give the vet a call. |
#3
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Cat won't use littler box anymore
Rene wrote:
First, while I'm happy that you are working on reducing his weight, I hope your vet has stressed how important it is for him to SLOWLY lose the weight. Like with humans, rapid weight loss can be dangerous for cats. On to your original question, what kind of litter box do you have? Is it covered? If it's covered, try removing the cover. Perhaps it's painful or difficult for him to get in the box. Try a low-sided box, or cut away part of the side on the existing box to see if that helps. If he's that overweight, he might need a low side until he can get to a more manageable weight. How many boxes do you have? Try adding another one. What kind of litter do you use--he might not like what you're using. Try an unscented clumping litter. You can also try the Cat Attract litter. If he's trying to avoid the box, there's something that he doesn't like about it. Where exactly is he going? Is it feasible to put a box there? Lastly, try adding a Feliway diffuser. They were made for cats with litter box problems. Sorry for all of the questions. The more information we have, the better we can help you. Rene ps, Since you've been to the vet, I'm hoping you've ruled out a medical problem? If not, give the vet a call. I have some friends who built a, "cateo" outside their house. Its covered, screened in, has cat door access from the house, and their two cats like to spend time out there. Their litter boxes are there, but if they don't want to use them, its no big deal, since its outside ther house. with a small garden and flowers/plants growing there. I thought it was an excellent solution for indoor cats..... |
#4
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Cat won't use littler box anymore
On Apr 25, 4:20*pm, Rene wrote:
First, while I'm happy that you are working on reducing his weight, I hope your vet has stressed how important it is for him to SLOWLY lose the weight. Like with humans, rapid weight loss can be dangerous for cats. On to your original question, what kind of litter box do you have? Is it covered? If it's covered, try removing the cover. Perhaps it's painful or difficult for him to get in the box. Try a low-sided box, or cut away part of the side on the existing box to see if that helps. If he's that overweight, he might need a low side until he can get to a more manageable weight. How many boxes do you have? Try adding another one. What kind of litter do you use--he might not like what you're using. Try an unscented clumping litter. You can also try the Cat Attract litter. If he's trying to avoid the box, there's something that he doesn't like about it. Where exactly is he going? Is it feasible to put a box there? *Lastly, try adding a Feliway diffuser. They were made for cats with litter box problems. Sorry for all of the questions. The more information we have, the better we can help you. Rene ps, Since you've been to the vet, I'm hoping you've ruled out a medical problem? If not, give the vet a call. We are aiming at 1 lb per week. The box is uncovered. I would say the sides are low, but I found one that is a little lower, so I'll give that try. I never heard of cat attract litter, but I'll look for it. He goes right beside the box. What bothers me is that if I lift him and place him in the box, he struggles and cries. I'm starting to think the he objects to the softness of the litter, since his weight and arthritis may make that hard for him |
#5
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Cat won't use littler box anymore
We are aiming at 1 lb per week. *The box is uncovered. *I would say the sides are low, but I found one that is a little lower, so I'll give that try. *I never heard of cat attract litter, but I'll look for it. *He goes right beside the box. *What bothers me is that if I lift him and place him in the box, he struggles and cries. *I'm starting to think the he objects to the softness of the litter, since his weight and arthritis may make that hard for him One pound per week is very drastic. Think of the percentage of the weight that is--it's a lot. IMO I'd slow it down. When our oldest had to lose weight, he lost six pounds in about nine months. If he's crying, something is painful to him. The extra weight certainly may compound the arthritis. If he doesn't respond to the glucosamine, you may need to try something else for his pain. I prefer to use natural products (when appropriate), and have used a joint supplement for our oldest I ordered from Only Natural Pet (not affiliated). You could check their website if things don't improve. In the meantime, try the lower sided box or if you have to, cut away part of the side completely so he doesn't have to step over anything. You might add another box or two in other locations. If he's in pain, he may not be able to make it to the box in time. Rene |
#6
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Cat won't use littler box anymore
On Apr 26, 10:49*am, Rene wrote:
We are aiming at 1 lb per week. *The box is uncovered. *I would say the sides are low, but I found one that is a little lower, so I'll give that try. *I never heard of cat attract litter, but I'll look for it. *He goes right beside the box. *What bothers me is that if I lift him and place him in the box, he struggles and cries. *I'm starting to think the he objects to the softness of the litter, since his weight and arthritis may make that hard for him One pound per week is very drastic. Think of the percentage of the weight that is--it's a lot. IMO I'd slow it down. When our oldest had to lose weight, he lost six pounds in about nine months. If he's crying, something is painful to him. The extra weight certainly may compound the arthritis. If he doesn't respond to the glucosamine, you may need to try something else for his pain. I prefer to use natural products (when appropriate), and have used a joint supplement for our oldest I ordered from Only Natural Pet (not affiliated). You could check their website if things don't improve. In the meantime, try the lower sided box or if you have to, cut away part of the side completely so he doesn't have to step over anything. You might add another box or two in other locations. If he's in pain, he may not be able to make it to the box in time. Rene Sorry, I meant 1/2 lb per week. The glucoamine is working. He walks now, just as before, which wasn't very good because of his weight. I just noticed that when he goes on the towel I set out on the carpet, he still kicks, and gets a little frustrated when he can't bury the urine. He's a very clean cat, he just doesn't use the box anymore. I'm going to try the lower sided box, and hope that he notices it's something new. Dom |
#7
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Cat won't use littler box anymore
I just noticed that when he goes on the towel I set out on the carpet, he still kicks, and gets a little frustrated when he can't bury the urine. *He's a very clean cat, he just doesn't use the box anymore. I'm going to try the lower sided box, and hope that he notices it's something new. Aw, I feel for this guy. He must be in a good amount of pain. I'm glad you are helping him lose weight. That alone will help a lot with his joints. Please keep us posted. Rene |
#8
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Cat won't use littler box anymore
On 04/27/2012 06:31 AM, Dom wrote:
On Apr 26, 10:49 am, wrote: We are aiming at 1 lb per week. The box is uncovered. I would say the sides are low, but I found one that is a little lower, so I'll give that try. I never heard of cat attract litter, but I'll look for it. He goes right beside the box. What bothers me is that if I lift him and place him in the box, he struggles and cries. I'm starting to think the he objects to the softness of the litter, since his weight and arthritis may make that hard for him One pound per week is very drastic. Think of the percentage of the weight that is--it's a lot. IMO I'd slow it down. When our oldest had to lose weight, he lost six pounds in about nine months. If he's crying, something is painful to him. The extra weight certainly may compound the arthritis. If he doesn't respond to the glucosamine, you may need to try something else for his pain. I prefer to use natural products (when appropriate), and have used a joint supplement for our oldest I ordered from Only Natural Pet (not affiliated). You could check their website if things don't improve. In the meantime, try the lower sided box or if you have to, cut away part of the side completely so he doesn't have to step over anything. You might add another box or two in other locations. If he's in pain, he may not be able to make it to the box in time. Rene Sorry, I meant 1/2 lb per week. The glucoamine is working. He walks now, just as before, which wasn't very good because of his weight. I just noticed that when he goes on the towel I set out on the carpet, he still kicks, and gets a little frustrated when he can't bury the urine. He's a very clean cat, he just doesn't use the box anymore. I'm going to try the lower sided box, and hope that he notices it's something new. Dom Suggestion: Pick him up and place him gently in the new box. While holding him, take one paw and help him make a scratching motion. Then push gently on his rear to a sitting position . During this time talk softly and explain to him, that you are helping him learn to potty properly. Good luck. TuTu |
#9
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Cat won't use littler box anymore
On Apr 27, 12:26*pm, MLB wrote:
On 04/27/2012 06:31 AM, Dom wrote: On Apr 26, 10:49 am, *wrote: We are aiming at 1 lb per week. *The box is uncovered. *I would say the sides are low, but I found one that is a little lower, so I'll give that try. *I never heard of cat attract litter, but I'll look for it. *He goes right beside the box. *What bothers me is that if I lift him and place him in the box, he struggles and cries. *I'm starting to think the he objects to the softness of the litter, since his weight and arthritis may make that hard for him One pound per week is very drastic. Think of the percentage of the weight that is--it's a lot. IMO I'd slow it down. When our oldest had to lose weight, he lost six pounds in about nine months. If he's crying, something is painful to him. The extra weight certainly may compound the arthritis. If he doesn't respond to the glucosamine, you may need to try something else for his pain. I prefer to use natural products (when appropriate), and have used a joint supplement for our oldest I ordered from Only Natural Pet (not affiliated). You could check their website if things don't improve. In the meantime, try the lower sided box or if you have to, cut away part of the side completely so he doesn't have to step over anything. You might add another box or two in other locations. If he's in pain, he may not be able to make it to the box in time. Rene Sorry, I meant 1/2 lb per week. *The glucoamine is working. *He walks now, just as before, which wasn't very good because of *his weight. I just noticed that when he goes on the towel I set out on the carpet, he still kicks, and gets a little frustrated when he can't bury the urine. *He's a very clean cat, he just doesn't use the box anymore. I'm going to try the lower sided box, and hope that he notices it's something new. Dom Suggestion: * Pick him up and place him gently in the new box. *While holding him, take one paw and help him make a scratching motion. *Then push gently on his rear to a sitting position . *During this time talk softly and explain to him, that you are helping him learn to potty properly. *Good luck. *TuTu- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Just a follow up. My little guy is using his box now. All I did was this: I removed the soft little blanket from the floor that I set out for him to catch his urine, and I substituted a disposable bed liner, the kind used for young kids that still wet the bed. I guess he didn't like that. He took a look at it, walked on it, decided it wasn't for him, then just walked over to the box, jumped in, and did his duty. Just like that! |
#10
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Cat won't use littler box anymore
Nice! Thanks for the update. Cats are such creatures of habit. Hope he continues to improve and lose weight. |
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