If anyone out there can help me, I would appreciate it. I have a Ragdoll that is about 3 years old, I have had him for 2 years, he has always used the litter box, but he has decided that he wants the carpet instead, he does urinate in the litter box but not the other, any suggestions would be great.
Thanks,
Jamie
A vet visit is the first stop, since medical problems are the first suspect for such events. Even if nothing is found, consider a round of meds - Flagyl typically.
Also, think through any changes, increased stress or other things that could have kicked this off - and reverse them.
You will need to use bleach or enzymatic cleaners (from pet supply stores) to clean all stains, since cats will overmark old stains.
Add a litterbox and make sure there is a box of the style, location and litter which the cat first used.
For the best ideas on things to consider and try read the links at tallyville for litterbox issues and the things to consider are pretty much the same as for urine. Do not try too many things at once and give each thing a chance to work. Almost always one can figure this out and turn it around, so do not get discouraged and keep working on it.
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Point...xhelp.html
I, too, have been dealing with the same but Molly is a new adoption, so my first thought was that was the underlying issue.
Visits with 2 different vets and several tests later found that she has crystals in the urine. And her teeth are very bad. No wonder she has litterbox issues - she hurts at both ends!
A vet visit is highly recommended, if for no other reason than to rule out anything health wise.
Hope it can be resolved easily -
Valerie
Well I took Bella to the vet and there is nothing wrong with him, I got another litter box and I have put all my litter boxes in different locations, he is urinating in the box and you will never believe this, he is pooping beside the litter box!! I don't know what else to do, he has never done this before. We did however move, but that has been back in Oct 08. So something is upsetting him. He does not seem upset about anything. He is acting the same except for this problem. Thanks for all the that I did recieve, maybe it will get better.
JanH Wrote:A vet visit is the first stop, since medical problems are the first suspect for such events. Even if nothing is found, consider a round of meds - Flagyl typically.
Also, think through any changes, increased stress or other things that could have kicked this off - and reverse them.
You will need to use bleach or enzymatic cleaners (from pet supply stores) to clean all stains, since cats will overmark old stains.
Add a litterbox and make sure there is a box of the style, location and litter which the cat first used.
For the best ideas on things to consider and try read the links at tallyville for litterbox issues and the things to consider are pretty much the same as for urine. Do not try too many things at once and give each thing a chance to work. Almost always one can figure this out and turn it around, so do not get discouraged and keep working on it.
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Point...xhelp.html
Going beside the box is avoidance. He goes to the box to use it, but is caused to not use it because there is something he does not like. Usually, this is discomfort from being ill and I would try to convince the vet to try a long course of Flagyl even without finding any other symptom. Another thing that can cause cats to avoid the box is cleanliness. Even if you clean it often, over time the bottom will scratch and hold bacteria. Try a new box. Also try his original litter if you have ever changed. Sometimes the litter is too deep or too shallow. You need to figure out why he is avoiding it and correct that. You can also confine him in a smaller space with the box and hope that will induce him to use the box as a retraining technique, letting him out after he as used the box. Sometimes an empty box or a box with flat paper towels or a newspaper will be used when a litter is avoided.
In the meantime, you can put a piece of plexiglass or sheet flooring under the box and covering the area he uses to make cleanup easier and reduce the risk of damage.
Please do have the vet check his bottom. Our cat did the same thing back in Sept and got a clean bill of health and it persisted and so we make another appointment and got the reg vet and when he checked his bottom a tumor was found. I am not saying this to scare you but do have him checked out throughly because tests can come back with nothing wrong and yet there is. I told the first vet we got there was something wrong and was told it was behavioral since he got a clean bill of health. Needless to say he was not well. I wish you the best of luck in finding what is happening whether something has changed or medical.
Did you change the litter or anything?
Do keep us informed please.
babyandy Wrote:If anyone out there can help me, I would appreciate it. I have a Ragdoll that is about 3 years old, I have had him for 2 years, he has always used the litter box, but he has decided that he wants the carpet instead, he does urinate in the litter box but not the other, any suggestions would be great.
Thanks,
Jamie
I feel your pain 100% My Tuxedo has been doing this ever since I got Theo. I am doing a bunch of things right now. I'll let you know if I find something that works and please email me the same if you do.
Good Luck!