General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: A resolution for cat people [View all]Nictuku
(3,621 posts)I have never had a cat before that refused to use the litterbox. This cat was given to me last year by a friend as a kitten.
When he was young, he did use the litterbox when we first got him and kept him isolated in the bathroom at first. (isolated from the other animals we ahve).
But then, as he grew, and we let him roam the house, he would not use the box. We attempted to get him to use the big cat litter box, he refused. We got him his own box. He refused. We tried all kinds of litter, he refused.
We had him neutered as soon as he was old enough. It didn't help. We buy special food that supposedly helps with urinary problems. Nothing has worked.
As you can imagine, this leads to pissing all over the place. My carpet is in ruins. I had to remove the padding in one corner.
My friends say they would not tolerate it and take the animal to the pound. I could never do that.
We tried to keep him on the upstairs deck at night with his own litterbox. He didn't use it. Just peed all over the deck. Then it got cold and I felt terrible with him outside (It doesn't snow where I live, so not that cold, but still), so now I leash him at night on a little couch in my room, and he has a big bell on him so I can hear him if he is moving around. I let him out first thing (5 am) when I get up so that he pees outside. Then we keep him out most of the day unless we are there and can watch him.
We have 2 other cats and 2 little dogs. Keeping him out means that we have to lock the kitty/doggy door which is causing other problems with our other animals, who do go outside to potty, or use the indoor litterbox for the cats.
What are my options? I don't want to take him to the pound. The person who gave him to me won't take him back (and I really do love the guy)
I live in the country and I am not worried about the cold, but I do worry about this neighbors german shepard who I see roaming (fortunately there are a lot of trees and I pray the cat will always be able to escape), but then there are bob cats and even mountain lions in our area, let alone other critters that could potentially attack him.
I just don't know what else to do. I have never ever had a cat that refused to use the box. I clean it regularly, I use expensive litter, I've tried the less expensive brands too. Nothing works with him.