Expert: Becky - 5/15/2006

Question
I have a persian he has been urinating and leaving feces on the bed by his liter box.  His box is cleaned everyday. He doesn't do it everyday, but he seems to do it in the morning.  What could be his problem  

Answer
Hi Vicki,
Here is what I tell people who have problems with cats who do not want to use their litter box. I think this will help you if you follow it.  See below

God Bless,
Becky

It takes time and patience but cats can be re-trained to use a litter box.   If you will follow these instructions, you should have good results.  

1.   You must remove the urine from the area that your cat has been urinating.  If it is carpet, rent a good steam cleaner, buy some good pet odor shampoo and clean the carpet really good.  You can also add white vinegar to the shampoo.  Vinegar is a natural deodorizer and it will help to remove the urine stain so that the cat cannot smell it.  Sometimes you can't smell the urine, but the cat can, so it's very important to use these products when cleaning your carpet or bare floor.  You can get white vinegar at any grocery store and it's cheap.  
2.    After you clean the carpet and it dries completely, put aluminum foil over the area or areas where your cat used to “go”.    Cats hate to walk on it, and will avoid the area.  This will help train your cat not to keep going back to the same place over and over again.  Mistakes happen, and if your kitty does “go” on the carpet or somewhere outside of the box, clean well with the shampoo/vinegar mixture.
3.   This part is the hardest part.  Until your cat is completely re-trained, keep him/her in a small bedroom or bathroom when you are not home.  Put a litter box in there with food and water. This will pretty much force your cat to use the litter box when you are not at home.   When you are home, watch him/her closely.   If you can tell that there is about to be an “accident”, scoop the cat up and take him/her to the litter box.   Please do not hit or spank your cat.  That does NOT work with cats.  It will only scare the cat and you will never get them trained.  
4.   Be sure to lavishly praise your cat when he/she does use the litter box!

If you follow these instructions, you should have good results.  I have had many people tell me that it worked for them and I have a very good friend who did this with great results.  Your kitty should be doing fine in about a week.   Good luck!!