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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Cat holding pee over 24 hours.
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Question
A neighbourhood stray male adopted us and we adopted him in return. He's about two. We've had him de-sexed, he has all his shots etc. The problem is he will not pee in the kitty litter. He will poo in it no problem, but will do anything to avoid peeing in it. It took over 24 hours of him holding it in one time and this time it has been over 24 hours and he still hasn't peed, but he has pooped in it twice, so he's not afraid to go there. He still eats and drinks regularly. We have cleared our bottom floor - its tile - so there's nothing on the floor he would like to pee in (material is his fave), the kitty litter is in the bathroom so its private. We spend time with him, play with him, there is some of his urine scent in the litter from the last time he peed in our closet. We put him in the litter after meals and scratch around with him in it, but we don't hold him in it. We give him treats when he poops in the litter, we've been repetitive and reassuring. How long do we wait? He is not even exhibiting seeking behaviour, which is weird. He doesn't have a kidney infection or stones, he doesn't appear to be in pain, he's sleeping normally, playing normally, eating and drinking normally. Do we just wait him out?
Monica,
Have you tried newspaper or puppy pee-pads put down next to the litterbox? Sometimes a cat will use those if he has an aversion to peeing in the litterbox, which some cats have.
It is not good for him to hold it.
I would be concerned about the possibility of urinary crysals. They can cause a complete blockage if not caught soon enough...and that is usually fatal to male cats.
I would call your vet and tell him about your cat's behavior and see what he says. Maybe he can give the cat a diuretic.
Tabbi
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thanks. I had actually tried the newspaper and puppy pads before I got your reply and they proved a good stopgap solution. We figured out it really was the type of litter. After holding it in all day he would rather pee on the tile floor than in the litter. While looking for new litter we found Cat Attract and it did the trick in no time. In fact our other cat started avoiding the old litter (World's Best) in favour of the new one, so we changed both boxes. They were both alone for 36 hours this weekend and no problems at all with using the litter. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Dear Tabbi
Expertise
My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience
Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
Education/Credentials
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Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
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