Cat won't use Litter Box - Your Own Vet Advice

CAT WON’T USE LITTER BOX

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Dear Your Own Vet,

Ever since my male cat was neutered a few months back he has been urinating and pooping in our sinks, sometimes in our bathtubs. Seldom in the litter box which is cleaned frequently. He doesn’t meow like he is in any pain. The kitten is about 10 months old. I would prefer not to give him up. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

John

cat poos outside litter tray — Cat refuses to use litter

Hi John,

It is always very frustrating when a cat will not use the litter box.

The very FIRST thing that you have to do is have this cat checked out by a vet. You state that this behaviour started after he had been neutered. There could be something medically wrong with him and this needs to be checked.

If he is fine, then probably when he was still sore after the operation, he might have used the litter box and experienced pain and he now associates the box with hurting him.

Also many cats don’t like the feel of some kinds of cat litter. I would suggest that you try different brands. It would be especially good to try an ultra fine sand which will be soft to touch.

using a fine litter to entice your cat into the box — Changing the type of cat litter sometimes helps

There might also be another cat that is upsetting him. If you have other cats in the house, then the rule is one litter box per cat, plus once extra.

A calming collar or a calming spray can also help.

Regards,

Kathy Claytonwww.yourownvet.com
Chairman of the Animal Behaviour Consultants of SA
(Registration Number: SAABC/1998/008/CF)
Chairman of Dancing with Dogs in Africa
Accredited Companion Animal Behaviourist &Professional Dog Trainer
011 783 3042 082 454 1750
kcdogs@global.co.za
www.kcdogschool.co.za
http://www.kcdogs.stemtechbiz.com

Your own vet says:

March 3, 2013 at 1:26 am

Hey Alex,

It may be better to ask a nutritionist exactly, but the slow cooking may not preserve all the vitamins in the food – most dog foods have vitamins sprayed on the pellets after they are made as heat destroys them. You would probably need to add a supplement to the diet for it to be completely balanced.

Dr Claire Demmer

Alex says:

February 4, 2013 at 2:14 pm

I found this recipe for homemade puppy food online, and i made it this past weekend for the purpose of feeding to my new puppy at night (I have bagged and frozen 1-cup sized portions); she will continue to eat pellets during the day.

Please can you advise if this recipe is a balanced one, or what you would like to see added to / removed from the recipe to ensure complete nutritional adherance. Would the recipe also be healthy for a dog who is not a puppy anymore:

• 1/2 cup chopped carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped zucchini
• 1/2 cup diced apple (no seeds, or core, please)
• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken meat, cubed into tiny cubes appropriate for your size puppy
• 1 small can of sardines (like a super food in a can!)
• 2 1/2 cups of uncooked brown rice
• 1/4 cup of olive oil (remember, puppies need their allotment of fats)
• 7 cups of filtered water
Place everything into a slow cooker and cook on high for 6 – 7 hours. You will know it’s ready to cool for your puppy when you test to see if the rice is cooked through.

Best Rgards,
Alex

Your Own Vet

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Cat won’t use litter box