Expert: Becky - 2/2/2006

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Hi Becky,

I was bequeathed an older cat (she was 10 or 11 at the time) which I have had now for 3 years.  I was told that I should change the litter box pan every few years, especially if your cat starts urinating on the floor around the box.  This she has done on occasion and since it was an old litter box I decided to purchase a new one.  I've washed the new one several times to remove any odours/off gasses (but she tends to like off gasses!) but she still will not use her litter. Her brand of litter has not changed.  I have picked her up an placed her a few times in her litter box to reminder her of it. She has now, twice, urinated elsewhere in the home.  I am not sure how to correct this problem or if it will eventually correct itself.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Alan
Answer -
Hi Alan,

It sounds to me like she needs a "refresher course" in using the litter box!  First , you need to clean the areas really well where she went outside of the box.   If it's carpet, use a good commercial shampoo that is used for pet urine stains.  If it is a hardwood floor, put vinegar with the cleaning mixuture.  Vinegar is a natural deodorizer and will take the urine smell up so that the cat can't smell it.  Sometimes you can't smell it, but the cat still can.
You can also add some of the vinegar to your shampooer.  Use the plain, cheap white vinegar that you can pick up at any grocery store.
After cleaning the area, let it dry, then place aluminum foil on top of it.  Cats hate to walk on aluminum foil. If you have to, put a book or something on it to keep it in place.
Then..... when you are not home and cannot supervise your cat, put her in a small room, like a bathroom, with her litter box , food and water.  This usually re-inforces the idea to use the litter box.  Generally, after a week or two, the cat should be re-trained and start using the box again on her own.   When you are home, watch her carefully, and if she starts to squat or act like she is looking for a place to "go",  scoop her up and place her in the litter box.  Don't ever hit a cat if she has an accident, as this does NOT work with cats.   Be sure to praise her well when she does use the box.  

God Bless!
Becky

Thanks Becky for the fast response!  I have cleaned her new litter box twice which I keep in the bathroom (I live in a bachelor apartment)and I have cleaned the tile floor.  She has urinated on the carpet in the main living area twice now that I can tell.  I have thought about locking her in the bathroom so that she has no other recourse but use the litter box but I was not sure if that was a good idea.  She cries and hates it and I am too much of an animal lover to feel good about doing that unless I have to.  I am not sure about the aluminum foil.  Am i to place it on the rug where she went to the bathroom?  And please rest asure, I have never hit her and never will.  I never even think of that as an option!  My last question is should I buy her a new litter box or try re-washing the new one a third time, perhaps this time with vinegar instead of the natural dishsoap I use at home.  I have washed her food and water dishes with it and I know that it does not bother her so I used it on the litter box.

Thanks again and here's hoping there are no more accidents waiting for me when I get home from work!  She has not pooped yet and it's been now two days which is not like her!!

Sincerely,

Alan

Answer
Hello again!

Just put the aluminum foil over the clean, DRY area where she went outside of the litter box, to keep her from returning to that spot.  I don't like confining them either, but for a short time, just to get her used to using the litter box again, it would really be beneficial if you would confine her to the bathroom only when you're gone and can't watch her.   Believe me, I have given these instructions to many people and it does work.  I don't think it's necessary to buy a new litter box. You can clean it with a vinegar,water,detergent mixture and that should do the job.  I clean my cat's litter box with detergent and bleach, so I know if bleach doesn't bother them, that vinegar won't bother her.  
As far as her not pooping...lol   Try putting a little bit of butter or margerine on the pads of one of her paws.  She will lick it off, and it will help her with hairballs too.  They like the taste!  Do this at least once a month.
I can tell that you really love her. It's so nice to talk to other animal lovers.

God Bless!
Becky