Cats Who Won't Use Litter Box!

I would add another litter pan or two, maybe the older ones like to have a cleaner box. We had 3 pans for two cats and that made life a lot better for us.

I've been told that cleaning it with Vinegar neutralizes the scent. I've also heard that if you put something smelly down that the cats will not like, that will keep them from the area. Chilli Powder, perfume, etc...something that is really offensive to the cat.

In combination with the smells, I'd try perhaps a covered litter box (that's what finally worked with my cats), or cleaning it more often, or even unscented/different litter. Good luck.

My first guess is that is one of the older cats. I had that problem with our cat who is about 7 yrs old and it was because my ex roomates youngest kept throwing garbage in the litter box. I now make sure that it is clean daily and she is fine. As a cat gets older or sick it may urinate anywhere but the box. I know that I was not much help but good luck.

Try Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract Litter. http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?cm_ven=...

When I moved in with my husband, one of cats started peeing on the coach. This litter made a big difference.

Also, do you have 3 litter boxes? You should have one for each cat. You might want to buy three new ones just to start fresh in case they are having some kind of territorial issues. A small investment compared to your new carpeting.

Good luck, P.

First off you should have them checked by a VET. My cat started doing this and he had crystal's in his urine and that was what caused him peeing in places that he never did before. You should have all thier urine tested, because often times it is something like a bladder infection too. I wouldn't wait, I would have them checked asap, if it is crystal's in the urine this can cause death. Good luck!
T.

i hate to say it but the smell never will leave unless you get rid of the old carpet and if you cannot narrow down which one is doing it --they will ruin the new carpet,can you keep them out of the basement >move them to another room that doesnt have carpeting --i dont have cats in the home anymore,just a small jack russell that is a cat dog -she chases varmits and walks on the back of couchs like a cat and is 10 pounds --good luckwith that it is hard with 3 of tem one may be mad about the kids and be doing it -because they are mad--some cats dont like any messes in the catbox --

We had a wonderful cat that we had for over a year, then we had our third child and the cat could not handle the change in family dynamics. He started to not use his box for bm's and then one day he peed. That weekend he went to a very loving home with a girl that was 9 years old. Never once has he not used his box there. I am not saying that you have to get rid of your cats but, has anything major changed in your home (child, furniture, place something in their place that they like to be, add something new to the household)maybe there is something easy that is bothering them.
I had to get rid of Ryder because I could not do the smell... we miss him dearly but know he is happy. Currently we have "snap" the snapping turtle and he stays in his tank so I don't have to worry!
Take care and i hope you find a solution.

I'm surprised the extra little box didn't help. Since you haven't caught them in the act have you seen pee and poop in the little box at all? My cats like to poop here and there and I think it's because the kids are getting most of our attention now. The one cat kept peeing in the same spot. We locked one cat away for the night and we still smelled urine. We locked the next cat in a room and we still smelled urine. I then caught our oldest in the act. She had a bladder infection. Also, try scooping 2-3 times a day. If it's all of a sudden I'll assume it's an infection though.

I have had this problem with my cat in the past. Even though I know it can be expensive take your cats to the vet. One of them may have an urinary tract infection, arthritis, or crystals in their urine. After my cat started having this problem, the vet diagnosed her with early onset arthritis in her lower back, which made it uncomfortable for her to urinate so she went outside the box. Also, she had crystals in her urine so it was painful to urinate (we changed her cat food and this solved it). Plus it was also a little bit behavioral because she was very attached to me and got stressed out when I was out sick from work for three weeks.

Now we put sprinkle sprinkle a capsule of a medication called cosequin on her found everyday. This helps with her arthritis. Also, at Petsmart/Petco you can get something called Feliway that you plug in an outlet. It releases a calming scent and can help cats who are stressed out. It is expensive, but catch online at bizrate.com and you may find better prices. In addition, we put another litter box in the area the cat went outside the box.

After we did all of this, the problem went away except for when my daughter went through the tantrum stage at 16 months. The cat and my daughter (now 22 months) have always been great friends.

Trust me I know this is a difficult situation, but there are solutions. It's hard to have ruined carpet. My husband and I are thinking of putting ceramic tile down instead of replacing the ruined carpet. I very highly recommend Pet Crossing Animal Hospital in Bloomington if you are looking for a vet that is very helpful with this problem.

Good luck! Feel free to e-mail me back.