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Cats/My cat is always in the litter box

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Expert: - 3/15/2009


Question
Recently I have noticed that my cat is more frequently using her litter box.
She may go in it 5 times in about 30 mintues. Each time she would squat and
sometimes urinate just a tiny bit or not at all. I took her to the vet and he
thought she had a urinary tract infection and gave her an antibiotic shot. The
vet also checked for blockages but didn't feel anything.Two weeks later not
much has change. She is able to go to the bathroom (both #1, and #2) but
seems like she only goes a little bit at a time quite often. It seems like she is
almost obssessed with using her litter box. What could cause this strange
behavior in my cat?

Answer
Kat,

Obviously the urinary tract infection hasn't been completely cleared up, your cat may require a stay in hospital and IV antibiotics. I'd recommend having her reassessed ASAP and requesting a urine culture which will tell the vet what type of bacteria are causing the problem so that they can be properly treated with the appropriate antibiotic.

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Ali

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I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.

Experience

I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.

Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.

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