My cat is not using the litter box anymore

[Loviedovie]

My 2 1/2 year old male neutured cat is not using the box anymore. I have 4 cats total and it's just him that is a problem. I have 3 box's as well. 2 downstairs and 1 upstairs. They stay clean etc but he's still refusing to use them.

I bought the Feliway today and put it in the room(s) where he's soiling. It's just areas where there are carpet in which is my great room and dinning room. What else can I do? I've heard about putting him up in a bathroom to retrain him but that just seems cruel.

Any suggestions?

[zoe08]

Have you taken him to the vet? He could have a urinary tract infection or something of the sort. I would take him to the vet and get him checked out, make sure he doesnt have an infection.

[PixieSticksandTricks]

Originally Posted by zoe08

Have you taken him to the vet? He could have a urinary tract infection or something of the sort. I would take him to the vet and get him checked out, make sure he doesnt have an infection.

That was my first thought. Thats usually the case when a cat that old stops using the litter box. I would call your vet or take him to the vet soon.

[jess2416]

I only can add Ditto

[Loviedovie]

I am doing that this week, but I really think it's behavioral. I added 2 dogs in the last few months to the household. He is used to being the baby.

[AnimalLoverCatRescuer]

Just remember you should have one box per cat and one extra. I would add another brand new clean box with fresh litter and keep it clean. I would also have him tested for a UTI or crystals. They are more common in males especially males on an all dry food diet. If he does have one, along with the meds, give him extra wet food with water mixed in. Also look for a food with cranbeery extract in it like Chicken Soup fior the Cat Lovers Soul or Premium Edge.

The quality of food you feed effects their health too. What do you feed?

[Saje]

Originally Posted by Loviedovie

I am doing that this week, but I really think it's behavioral. I added 2 dogs in the last few months to the household. He is used to being the baby.

That's the key. He's being territorial and may never quite getting over adding the new animals. My first cat never got over the addition of four dogs and three other cats

You should have one litter box for every cat in the house + one extra. So you should have five boxes in your house. Make sure they are clean and you are consistent with the litter. Don't change it or mix it up or anything that will **** him off.

Def. take him to the vet and make sure it's not a UTI or anything.

Originally Posted by Loviedovie

I am doing that this week, but I really think it's behavioral. I added 2 dogs in the last few months to the household. He is used to being the baby.

There's your problem right there. You need to somehow show him that he's still important. I kinda had the same problem with my cat.

She was our first, and since then we've added 4 more, plus my dog. She was okay with the second addition, because she was still a kitten when we brought him home, and they're related. The rest of them, she just hates. She hates the dog too. And for a while, she'd just lock herself up in either my room, or my dads, and not eat, or really, do anything. And she was just miserable. Wouldn't use the litter box either. She'd deliberately go to it, but go on the floor right next to it, just to make us mad. All I did was spend more time with her, than I was spending with the kittens and she got the message that she wasn't being replaced or anything. The problems went away.

She actually helps out with the other cats and the dog now. Especially when the dog is whining in its crate. She comes up, meows at it in a certain way, and the dog shuts up. It's amazing. I want to know what the heck she says to it, lol.

[MK&C]

Just a thought, some cats don't like covered or uncovered litter boxes. Do you have all covered/all uncovered? If you do, you might want to try getting another that's the opposite of what you have now. For example, if you have 3 uncovered litterboxes try getting a covered one. I'm not sure if that's the problem though.

A UTI could also be it...get another litterbox anyway, each cat should have their own and that may be the problem.

[Loviedovie]

My cats and dogs all eat Nutro. Of course my cats are on indoor nutro weight management... I have 2 "EATERS". I made an appointment today at the vet for the weekend. I will get a new box as well. Thanks