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Cats/older cat will not use the litter box since getting 2 baby kittens

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Expert: - 9/2/2010


Question
my older cat (3yrs)has refused to poop in the cat box with the younger kittens. I keep on large box and it was always enough for my very senior cat and middle aged cat and my 3 yr old and now that I got two new kttens about 6 weeks old she is pooping on the rugs/bed etc. What can I do she is not thrilled with the little ones and does come down and eat and drink some. She mostly stays up stairs and they are on the main level. What should I do? I did put a box up there for her but what else can I do?

Answer
Cindy,

Clearly, your 3 year old is not entranced with the new kittens.  However, everyone including your 3 year old, must learn to cope.  

Putting an additional box upstairs is a good start, however, there are some other things I might suggest.  Anywhere the 3 year old has messed inappropritely needs to be cleaned with an enzyme based cleaner specifically for pet stains and pet odors (check with pet supermarkets and farm stores). Once these areas are cleaned, see if you can make them inaccessible.  Also, I would try a product called "Cat Attract" (also available at most pet supermarkets) in all the litter pans.  You also might try putting a Feliway diffuser where your upstairs litter box is.

In addition, whenever you play with the new kittens, make a fuss over the 3 year old, giving her extra attention and treats as cats do get jealous.

Our rule of thumb is a litter pan for every two cats, and, for an odd number, add one. So 3 or 4 cats get 2 litter pans, 5 or 6 get three litter pans, etc.

Please let me know how things go.

Best regards... Norm.  

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Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

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