I have a problem with my cats - Help Wanted!

[abouret]

I have a big problem with my cats lately. Back in April, I change the litter box because after 5 years, well I thought it was time. Bad idea!

We use to have a litter box with a cover and it was great. So I bought another with a cover. But in the first days, the cats wouldn't go in it. I didn't change the brand of the litter to be sure but still the morning after I bought it, Balthazar decided it was a great idea to poop next me on a bath towel that was on the floor. Since that day, I have remove the cover of the litter but Balthazar have decided to no longer cover is poop in the litter so it's always smell bad in the appartment. Especially with the return of the sunny days because the sunlight "cook" the litter box... eurk! Plus Pumpkin often put her paws in Balthazar ...

Today, I thought enought with the smell, I'm putting back the cover. So I check most of the day to see want my Ti-Pou was doing and I was so glad when I saw him going in the litter box and poop in it. But tonight, we found a big wet cercle on our bed and another one on the carpet of the living room. Well, apparentely, neither Balthazar or Pumpkin have pee in the litter box.

I really love my cats but we don't know want to do with this.

Can someone help?

[Tbites]

I have a big problem with my cats lately. Back in April, I change the litter box because after 5 years, well I thought it was time. Bad idea!

We use to have a litter box with a cover and it was great. So I bought another with a cover. But in the first days, the cats wouldn't go in it. I didn't change the brand of the litter to be sure but still the morning after I bought it, Balthazar decided it was a great idea to poop next me on a bath towel that was on the floor. Since that day, I have remove the cover of the litter but Balthazar have decided to no longer cover is poop in the litter so it's always smell bad in the appartment. Especially with the return of the sunny days because the sunlight "cook" the litter box... eurk! Plus Pumpkin often put her paws in Balthazar ...

Today, I thought enought with the smell, I'm putting back the cover. So I check most of the day to see want my Ti-Pou was doing and I was so glad when I saw him going in the litter box and poop in it. But tonight, we found a big wet cercle on our bed and another one on the carpet of the living room. Well, apparentely, neither Balthazar or Pumpkin have pee in the litter box.

I really love my cats but we don't know want to do with this.

Can someone help?

Disclaimer: I'm NO cat expert just answering this based on ownership k ?

Most cats don't seem to like changes to their environment. Do you still have the old litter ? If you do, I would try placing the old one next to the new one. Then, when they use their old one (which they hopefully still would) ... put some of their urine clumps or feces inside the new box... so the new box has a smell that is familiar to them. I know it means not cleaning it out entirely on a daily basis, but maybe you'll have to put up with that for a successful "transition".

I know what a PITA it is to have your cat pee on your bed , thank goodness for waterproof mattress protectors.

[meriem]

I agree with Tbites' advice. Cats HATE changes and they are signaling their displeasure. Until things get back to normal, it's probably better to keep your bedroom off-limits by keeping the door closed.

[snuffaluffagus]

Are your cat litters outside, abouret? If they smell as bad as you say, then the odor is probably repelling the cats from using them. Although creatures of habit, cats are also fastidiously clean. I'd try cleaning the trays with a solution of hot soapy water and baking soda and changing the entire litter granules as often as possible for a few days to see if that will encourage the cats to use them instead of going elsewhere. Good luck!

[2010ontest]

oh my!
I read that and I'm so happy my cat never did that!
And she had lot of changes!!!

We have move 4 times with that cat!!!
Plus we had 4 kids...
We have change litter spot often and also change the litter box without problem.

But my cat go outside too and catch mouse and bird to eat... she also go outside often to pee... maybe this is the difference?

Sorry I have no clue for you abouret...

[super_e]

Abouret, I have similar problems as you with one of my cats. If she poops in the litterbox, she doesn't cover it, and it always stinks really bad.. She also poops daily on the living room carpet. And it's not solid poop. .

Some of the suggestions I have heard from tv shows and veterinarians on radio talk shows have been:

- make sure you have two or more litter boxes. Cat's don't like to pee and poop in the same place,
- make sure the litter boxes are cleaned very often.
- take your cat to the vet to make sure she doesn't have medical problems.

I've tried these things with my cats, nothing has worked for me. Maybe you'll have better luck!

[abouret]

thank goodness for waterproof mattress protectors.

No, we are not that lucky. Mattress was wet side to side!

I agree with Tbites' advice. Cats HATE changes and they are signaling their displeasure. Until things get back to normal, it's probably better to keep your bedroom off-limits by keeping the door closed.

We have close the door for about the first month. Everything was not so bad (except for the smell) until I had the genius idea to put back the cover on litter box yesterday morning...

Are your cat litters outside, abouret? If they smell as bad as you say, then the odor is probably repelling the cats from using them. Although creatures of habit, cats are also fastidiously clean. I'd try cleaning the trays with a solution of hot soapy water and baking soda and changing the entire litter granules as often as possible for a few days to see if that will encourage the cats to use them instead of going elsewhere. Good luck!

My cats are indoor cats that never go outside. Before we change the litter box, we use to change the litter granules only once a week. Now, on top of cleaning the litter twice a day, we are changing the entire granules every 3 days. We go throught litter like crazy.

We got Pumpkin 6 years ago and Balthazar 5 years ago. We never had difficulties with them like we have since the beginning of the year. But other that changing the litter box, there was no other change in the house. So we are completely loss in this situation.

[Cocottee00]

do you know roughly when your cats do their things ?? (example 30 mins after they ate etc.) Normally animals are rather regular. Try to just place one into the litter box, exactly like when we teach to a kitten how to be clean.. maybe it will works

[abouret]

Just wanted to give you a quick up date:

Since the cover is out again, Pumpkin always pee in the litter box. But still Balthazar doesn't cover is poo so we still have the smell...

We bought a new boxspring and matterss today with a waterproof matterss protectors because the other ones started to smell. Me putting back the cover on the litter box cost us 1 400$... I have to say dought that we had the old set boxspring and matterss for 15 years and we knew we will have to change it soon.

[GeorgiaK]

So don't think of the cats costing you $1400, think about the fact that they "bought" you a new mattress that you needed.

[abouret]

So don't think of the cats costing you $1400, think about the fact that they "bought" you a new mattress that you needed.

I don't think it's the cats fault. I think it's mine since I insisted on putting back the dam cover!

The priceless part of the day was seeing DH (who hates shopping) asking a the guy a the matterss store what is the best protectors to avoid having problem if "someone pee in the bed" and the guy suggesting him Depends


At least sleep will in a couple of weeks...

[2010ontest]

The priceless part of the day was seeing DH (who hates shopping) asking a the guy a the matterss store what is the best protectors to avoid having problem if "someone pee in the bed" and the guy suggesting him Depends

Là j'ai ri un bon coup!

Merci j'en avais besoin!!!

[super_e]

I laughed so hard at the Depends!

[Tbites]

Welcome back ! Soooo, what happened with this ?

[abouret]

Thanks for the welcome!

The mattress has arrived yesterday. As for the litter, the cover is still not on, so they both used the litter box but Balthazar still no longer cover is poo.

Apparently, I need to ask a "spécialiste en comportement animal". Does someones knows one???