Expert: Kate Tilmouth - 6/7/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello Kate,
I have an female, orange and white, long hair. Her name is Missy.  She is 6 or 7 years old. Back when she was 1 or 2 she had her back hip broken and had to have pins put in it. She used the litter box up until then.  She will poop in it still but not pee.  I was thinking that maybe when her back leg was in a cast and she had to use the litter box that maybe she bumped it on the box and it caused her pain.  And that she is still "thinking" that if she uses it to pee that her leg will hurt.  Up until a year ago we lived in a house with carpet everywhere so I couldnt lock her in a room to "retrain" her.  Now in our new house I have caught her using the carpeted floor.  Yesterday I locked her in our utility room where I keep our litter boxes.  I forgot to mention that I also have 2 other cats too.  When she started using the floor at the old house I switched litter thinking that might help her gain new interest in going in the box.  I use Cat Attract now.  Checking her litter boxes this morning (she has 3 in the room with her-I have a total of 4 boxes all together), she has peed in the boxs.  I guess my question is how long should I keep her isolated in this room?  I have been treating where she had been peeing on the carpet with Natures Miracle.  Should keep her in there for atleast a week?  Thank you for your help! Please let me know if you need any more information about the problem!

Tricia

ANSWER: Hi
yes I would keep her in this room for at least three days and then see how she is. If she starts again to pee on the floor, carry out the process again.

The only time you should let her out f the room is to eat.  In the room there should be her bed, toys and fresh water. You should also spend time with her throughout the day in the room as this is not a punishment but a way to help her build confidence with the litter tray.
best wishes Kate
http://www.our-happy-cat.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: If I have to lock her back up in this room again, do I keep her in there for another 3 days or for a longer amount of time?  I have not let her out of this room since I locked her up in there on Saturday.  Everything is in there with her; food, water, bed, toys.  Shes mad at me right now. When I go and visit her, she runs and hides from me.  I still sit and talk to her for 10-15 minutes throughout the day.  Thank you for your reply!

Answer
Hi
Take her food out of the room and allow her access to the food in the usual place.

let her out of the room now and see how she is, if the peeing starts again then return her to the room for another day or so.

This process usually works but may not for all cats.

Cats don't get mad they get scared, make sure that you allow her to come to you when you go into the room. Sit on the floor and wait for her to come to you. this way she will be less frightened and will build confidence.

best wishes kate
http;//www.our-happy-cat.com