Need help from other kitty owners... - YorkieTalk.com Forums

randi88 · 02-29-2012, 01:39 PM

So we have a new young kitty and he has apparently taken to using the bathroom under the bed in our spare bedroom instead of in his box. Any tips????? We switched from a uncovered litter box to a covered one and I am guessing this could be the problem but he was using the covered one when we first got it and has just suddenly stopped? HELP!

hnybun128 · 02-29-2012, 06:03 PM

How old is this kitty? Is he fixed yet? Has he seen the vet?

It's possible he doesn't like the cover. Some kitties are very particular about their boxes and won't use them unless they are very, very clean. It would be good to have his vet rule out any health problems. Neutering as soon as is age appropriate should prevent any marking issues.

Also, be very thorough in cleaning it. I would get a really good cleaner like Nature's Miracle or something similar and follow the manufacturer's directions to the letter. This may even include pulling back the carpet and saturating the carpet pad with it. If kitty can smell where he's been, he'll keep using that spot. Also, you might want to buy a cheap hand held blacklight if you have carpeting so you can see everywhere he may have had accidents.

lillymae · 02-29-2012, 08:33 PM

I would not use a cover for the litter box as the dust from the litter gets trapped in it while kitty scratches around causing the kitty to breath in the dust.

dawn27 · 02-29-2012, 09:09 PM

Yeah I agree, No cover !

Have you made any other changes to your house hold lately? Something that could have triggered a fear in him that would cause him to want to hide. If so he may just not want to come out of hiding to potty ether.

The darndest thing happened with my sisters cat recently. Her male cat who is 12 yrs old started using the bathroom in her den and sons room. ONly change was that she got a new litter bow because the other one was getting nasty.

Cats can be very very particular about the stupidest things!

Alvindy · 03-01-2012, 05:27 AM

I would also think about a trip to the vet. It could be a bladder infection or maybe crystals.

lillymae · 03-01-2012, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alvindy

I would also think about a trip to the vet. It could be a bladder infection or maybe crystals.

A male cat can become totally blocked from crystals causing the bladder to burst.

randi88 · 03-07-2012, 09:38 PM

Sorry it took so long to get back to everyone!!! As for the no cover because of risk of dust we don't use clay litter. Only Yesterday's News and Feline Pine. With these type of litters is the cover still a danger? We only use those two types because the dust from clay litters kills my asthma so I can only imagine what it could do to our little guy.

Mozart is only about 12 maybe 13 weeks old I think. Still very young. He had already seen a vet prior to this for his shots and saw one again a few days after this incident because I also had the fear of crystals. He got the all clear from the vet so at least we do know now that is not the issue. Thank Goodness! One thing I did not ask my vet is are crystals typically common in kittens?

Mozart is back to using his box. We have not had an more issues after I did what one poster mentioned and cleaned with the natures miracle. Thank you so much for that tidbit! I was SO worried I would not get that urine smell out. I just wish I knew what caused him to use it under the bed. It does not make sense. His box is in our spare bedroom and is blocked off with a baby gate so the pups can't bother his things. It's basically his own room. He always goes in there when he is stressed out by the dogs and plays on his toys and such. So it seems to me it would be his most comfortable place not a stressful place. All I can figure out is that maybe either Rudi or Carmen had been barking through the gate at him or something???? I have NO clue. As soon as his potty messes were cleaned up he went right back to the box with no problems.

And one poster mentioned cats not using the box if it is dirty but this was a completely clean box. Fresh litter. I actually went into change the box because it was smelling unusually strong (I scoop once a day.) and I couldnt figure it out and then found the still completely clean box not having been used. I didnt use a new cleaner or anything. Nothing is making sense.

02-29-2012, 01:39 PM	#1
randi88 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: greeneville Posts: 223	Need help from other kitty owners... So we have a new young kitty and he has apparently taken to using the bathroom under the bed in our spare bedroom instead of in his box. Any tips????? We switched from a uncovered litter box to a covered one and I am guessing this could be the problem but he was using the covered one when we first got it and has just suddenly stopped? HELP! __________________ Sarah , Rudi , Paisley Jade

02-29-2012, 06:03 PM	#2
hnybun128 I ♥ Maci & Mojo Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Morris, IL, USA Posts: 856	How old is this kitty? Is he fixed yet? Has he seen the vet? It's possible he doesn't like the cover. Some kitties are very particular about their boxes and won't use them unless they are very, very clean. It would be good to have his vet rule out any health problems. Neutering as soon as is age appropriate should prevent any marking issues. Also, be very thorough in cleaning it. I would get a really good cleaner like Nature's Miracle or something similar and follow the manufacturer's directions to the letter. This may even include pulling back the carpet and saturating the carpet pad with it. If kitty can smell where he's been, he'll keep using that spot. Also, you might want to buy a cheap hand held blacklight if you have carpeting so you can see everywhere he may have had accidents. __________________ Gina ~Mojo , Maci ~ Sweetie, Katie, Coco Chanel, & Figaro

02-29-2012, 09:09 PM	#4
dawn27 2+2=4 X the Love ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bean Town Ohio Posts: 9,456 Blog Entries: 1	Yeah I agree, No cover ! Have you made any other changes to your house hold lately? Something that could have triggered a fear in him that would cause him to want to hide. If so he may just not want to come out of hiding to potty ether. The darndest thing happened with my sisters cat recently. Her male cat who is 12 yrs old started using the bathroom in her den and sons room. ONly change was that she got a new litter bow because the other one was getting nasty. Cats can be very very particular about the stupidest things! __________________ Mommy to: Quincy, & Ruby Bella / Miah & Brandi Gone but Never Forgotten Visit: Bella Dawns for all of your Custom Pet Wear needs.

03-07-2012, 09:38 PM	#7
randi88 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: greeneville Posts: 223	Sorry it took so long to get back to everyone!!! As for the no cover because of risk of dust we don't use clay litter. Only Yesterday's News and Feline Pine. With these type of litters is the cover still a danger? We only use those two types because the dust from clay litters kills my asthma so I can only imagine what it could do to our little guy. Mozart is only about 12 maybe 13 weeks old I think. Still very young. He had already seen a vet prior to this for his shots and saw one again a few days after this incident because I also had the fear of crystals. He got the all clear from the vet so at least we do know now that is not the issue. Thank Goodness! One thing I did not ask my vet is are crystals typically common in kittens? Mozart is back to using his box. We have not had an more issues after I did what one poster mentioned and cleaned with the natures miracle. Thank you so much for that tidbit! I was SO worried I would not get that urine smell out. I just wish I knew what caused him to use it under the bed. It does not make sense. His box is in our spare bedroom and is blocked off with a baby gate so the pups can't bother his things. It's basically his own room. He always goes in there when he is stressed out by the dogs and plays on his toys and such. So it seems to me it would be his most comfortable place not a stressful place. All I can figure out is that maybe either Rudi or Carmen had been barking through the gate at him or something???? I have NO clue. As soon as his potty messes were cleaned up he went right back to the box with no problems. And one poster mentioned cats not using the box if it is dirty but this was a completely clean box. Fresh litter. I actually went into change the box because it was smelling unusually strong (I scoop once a day.) and I couldnt figure it out and then found the still completely clean box not having been used. I didnt use a new cleaner or anything. Nothing is making sense. __________________ Sarah , Rudi , Paisley Jade

02-29-2012, 08:33 PM	#3
lillymae YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,544	I would not use a cover for the litter box as the dust from the litter gets trapped in it while kitty scratches around causing the kitty to breath in the dust.

03-01-2012, 05:27 AM	#5
Alvindy Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Oakville Posts: 216	I would also think about a trip to the vet. It could be a bladder infection or maybe crystals.