Why the cat stopped peeing in the litter box

After eliminating the causes, you need to restore the skill of using the litter tray. Cats are clean animals, so using the litter box and litter box is a natural need dictated by their instincts. If you observe the kitten and see that he is looking for a place to relieve himself you should take him to the litter box. Usually at this time the kitten will sniff and try to dig the floor.

Kitten not going to litter box

Most kittens become accustomed to using the litter box while still in the breeder's home. This usually happens instinctively, following the example of the mother, at 1-1.5 months of age. But sometimes after moving to a new home the kitten stops using the litter box. If the kitten is picked up on the street, he may not understand at all what a litter box with litter and what it is for.

In the first case, if the owner trusts the breeder and knows that the kitten has been accustomed to the litter box, you should analyze the process of toiletting the kitten. Usually all owners make the same mistakes that cause the kitten to stop using the litter box:

1) Using unfamiliar litter

At first it is better to use the litter that the kitten is used to in the maternity home. Filler is a very intimate thing for a cat. Some may scare the kitten by smell (e.g., scented fillings) or sound (e.g., silico-gel fillings that "rattle" a lot).

The kitten needs privacy during toileting, so you can't put the litter box in a thoroughfare in the hallway, hallway or kitchen.

The cat can't go to the toilet

Let's look at the causes, symptoms of this condition and talk about treatment methods.

Causes

The most common cause of impaired urinary function in pets is urinary stone disease (urolithiasis). It occurs due to blockage of the ducts by sand or stones. The excrement is rarely excreted. If this happens, the mucosa is severely traumatized, causing a severe inflammatory process.

Such disorders with the organs of the genitourinary system include the following pathologies:

The owner of the pet himself will not be able to determine the factor that provoked the problems with urination. The veterinarian will not always do so either, since inflammation very quickly changes localization and can cover the entire urinary system.

Symptoms

Signs that a cat can't go to the toilet in a small way are easy to determine. The pet begins to hiss, meow loudly, moan, and scream wildly. As a result, only a small amount of urine may come out (often with inflammation).

When the cause of the problem is a mechanical blockage of the urinary tract, not even a drop of urine is excreted, and there is quite an unpleasant smell from the animal.

The pet does not allow the abdomen to be stroked because the cat begins to have severe pain in this area. The abdomen may be tense. It is not possible for the cat to lie down on it. An important requirement is to report all detected signs to the veterinarian.

With more reliable and extensive information, he will more easily diagnose the disease. Among other things, by looking in the litter box, the owner may find blood or pus.

Acute urinary retention in a cat

This is a very life-threatening condition. It is characterized by the inability to go to the toilet for more than a day. Most often, such a problem occurs in males from half a year to 10 years of age.

Due to the peculiarities in the structure of the cat's urethra and moths with high density, the urethra can become clogged with salt crystals, sand and even mucus. And carrying out castration is not able to affect the development of such a pathology.

Sources of the problem

Most often acute urinary retention occurs with urolithiasis and idiopathic cystitis.

The normal values of urinalysis in cats allow for some salt crystals. And not every pet has this leads to urethral blockage. As a consequence, the main factor in the formation of problems with urination is the presence of cystitis.

Symptoms

Usually, owners complain about the pet's futile attempts to go to the toilet in a small way (the pet enters the litter box more often, stays there for a long time, often meows and tries to lick the urethra area).

When urine is not excreted for more than a day, vomiting, lethargy and decreased appetite are possible.

How to diagnose

The disease is diagnosed on the basis of anamnestic data (complaints of the owner), examination of the pet (overfilled and very painful bladder when touching) and ultrasound results.

Methods of treatment

Initially, it is necessary to remove fluid from the bladder. Cystocentesis (puncturing the bladder through the peritoneum) or urethral catheterization is used for this purpose.

If the cat has not been able to go to the toilet for more than a day, the possibility of acute kidney failure increases.

What to do if the cat has stopped going to the litter box?

First of all, you need to pull yourself together and face the truth: the cat is not a human and it makes no sense to look for human motives in its actions. The reason why the cat suddenly stopped using the litter box is probably concrete and not related to the moral qualities of the cat. That is why it is useless to appeal to the cat's senses and it is cruel and harmful to poke your cat's face into a pile or a puddle, all the more to slap it with your slipper and shout.

What can be the reasons for untidy cat behavior and how can you correct the situation?

One of the most frequent reasons when an adult cat or a cat suddenly chooses a place for "thinking about eternity" instead of its usual litter box, a secluded corner, an old rug, or even a soft and warm owner's bed, is pain. Numerous diseases can cause the so-called "pain syndrome", which leads to changes in animal behavior. Its mechanism is the following: the cat, when peeing in the litter box, feels the pain and associates it with the litter box. Subsequently, this cat will look for another place to urinate, sometimes choosing something soft and cozy, where it feels completely safe.

Therefore the first actions of any responsible owner should be aimed at the exclusion of a possible disease: go to the veterinarian, make the necessary tests and examinations (as a rule, if the cat pees out of place, the doctors of the Zoovet Veterinary Center recommend to take urine tests, possibly blood and ultrasound of the abdomen to rule out inflammatory processes of genitourinary system).

If the cat's health is not a concern, the next thing to rule out is sex tags. If a young animal reaches puberty (1-1, 5 years or earlier) and at the same time begins tagging, the main method of correcting the behavior will be castration. Distinctive features of territory tagging: cats tag "in a jet", and furniture, vertical surfaces, and household items suffer. Cats tag with a small amount of urine in different places, sometimes also in streams (as a rule, tagging of territory in cats coincides with the period of "sexual hunt").

Helpful hints

• If a kitten is caught at the scene of a crime, near a fresh pile or a puddle, the baby needs to express its displeasure sternly so that it understands that it did something wrong and the owner is angry. For example, shout loudly, "You can't." And then take the baby in your arms and put it in the right place. There the kitten should be caressed, this will help the baby understand what you want from him.
• Punish the kitten for piles or puddles in the wrong place, you can only "hot", otherwise, he will not understand why he was punished.
• You should not beat your cat with a slipper and poke it with its face – this will not have a positive effect.
• If the kitten poops wherever you can, you need to monitor its behavior more. And as soon as the kitten begins to show anxiety, clearly related to the desire to urinate, gently move the kitten to the litter tray. Most likely the first time he will run away without complying with his owner's wishes. That's okay, just keep looking after him. Eventually, the whiskered purr will give in, and do as you want. For this you should praise the baby and give him something tasty, reinforcing the correct habit. You should do this until the habit of going to the right place will not become resistant.

If the kitten has stopped going to the right place, he does it not with malice, and not out of malice. He just is not happy with something. And the owners can not understand it. There is no need to be angry and annoyed with the animal.. He just needs to properly explain what you want. And in some cases, go along with his preferences. Only by showing love and patience, you are sure to achieve the desired result.

Why has the cat stopped going to the litter box?

Violation of daily hygiene rules is a clear signal of your cat's physical or psychological discomfort.

If a cat has stopped going to the litter box, it is often not a "nuisance", but a symptom of illness and an important signal for you.

A cat is one of the cleanest pets. A cat is instinctively attentive to coping with need, because in the wild, other predators can track animals by their excretions.

The domestic cat pays just as much attention to hygiene. Anyone who takes a cat into the house, of course, wants the cat to be toilet trained, to know where to go to the litter box, and to be clean. Kittens who are naturally socialized by their mother cat and by a human will have no trouble using the litter box in the future.

But what to do if the cat suddenly stops going to the litter box? What to do if the pet started to spoil furniture, beds, sofas, carpets, personal belongings?

The first thing to pay attention to is the psychological and physiological state of the animal. Some cat owners usually attribute human behavior to cats, claiming that their pets are "revengeful" or "nasty" or "show their temper". But in fact, the problem is often that the cat won't go to the litter box because it has a health problem.

The first thing the owner of a cat that has stopped going to the litter box to go to the litter box, which was previously used by it, should do is to consult a veterinarian. More often than not, the cat refuses to go to the litter box because of diseases of the genitourinary system. This can be kidney failure, urolithiasis, stones or sand in the bladder. The cat feels pain while urinating and is looking for a "softer" place. In this case you should as soon as possible collect urine in a special medical jar, which you can buy at any drugstore, and send it to the vet for analysis. Be sure to take your cat to the vet for a check-up.

Does it happen that a cat used to go to the litter box, but suddenly stopped?

Urinating and defecating in the wrong places is perfectly normal for feral animals picked up off the street. But if your pet is famous for its cleanliness, this behavior requires increased attention. All possible reasons explaining why the cat stopped going to the litter box, can be divided into 2 large groups: physiological and psychological.

Physiological reasons

This group includes hormonal changes, pathologies and instincts. Only diseases of the urinary system pose a real danger, so it is very important to make sure that they are not present.

Sexual hunt or hormonal failure

During the sexual hunt, males actively mark territory, scaring off competitors and attracting females. This period can be easily traced by frequent serenades, unaccustomed aggression and a pungent smell of urine.

Kittens can also mark their territory during heat or pregnancy. In the second case, this instinct is aimed at scaring away potential enemies who might harm unborn kittens.

The important thing here is to rule out a false pregnancy. Despite similar signs, such a hormonal disruption can turn into mastitis and other dangerous complications.

Diseases of the urinary system

The cat may urinate in the wrong place due to frequent urges or severe pain. In the first case, she simply does not have time to run to the toilet, and in the second – she tries to find more secluded corners in the hope to get rid of unpleasant feelings.

Common diseases of the genitourinary system include:

1. Cystitis . The most common cause of bladder inflammation is infection with bacteria. It is accompanied by frequent urination, acute pain, and a gradual reduction in the amount of urine that escapes to a couple of drops.
2. Urolithiasis (IUCD) . It develops when large stones block the ureter. An ill cat urinates blood, as the sharp edges of the stones traumatize the mucous membranes.
3. Urethritis . Occurs as a complication of cystitis or IBC and affects the urethra. The main signs of this disease are the presence of purulent impurities in the urine and an ammonia or acetone odor on the skin.
4. Bladder atony. . Characteristic of older animals undergoing dystrophic changes in organs and tissues. Their muscles lose their strength and elasticity, so the bladder ceases to cope with its main function – holding back urine. It begins to leak, and the pet simply doesn't make it to the toilet in time.

Useful Tips

Let's find out how to fix the fact that the cat stopped going to the litter box. The following actions can help to correct the situation:

If the pet has begun to go to the toilet in a certain place, staying loyal to him, then in this place you need to put an additional cat litter box. At the same time, be sure to keep the litter trays clean and be sure that this filler is liked by the pet. A place in the apartment trays can be removed after the purpose will be achieved, and the pet will begin to relieve himself only in the right place.

Carefully observe the cat's behavior. To keep the cat from going past the litter box, you will have to show resilience and patience. When she will scrub the floor with her paw and meow pitifully, you need to go up to her, take her to the right place and caress her, so that the pet understands what he wants. Perhaps the first time he will run away. In this matter you should be persistent and not stop following. In the end, the animal will give up and do as you want.. As this happens, you should encourage the pet with its favorite treat and petting. Then the pet will feel that it has pleased its owner.

And until you notice that the cat goes to the litter box again, you have to be ready at all times to remind the cat where he has to go to the toilet.

Put some furniture in its place, block the alleys with plywood or cardboard boxes and the narrow alleys with plastic bottles. When leaving the house, close the doors to the rooms where the pet can make mischief. Leave her access to her water bowl, toilet, and her cot.

If your pet chooses the bed as the toilet, cover it with plastic and smear something sticky or double-sided tape on top. When she jumps on the bed and sticks, it will be a nasty surprise for her. After this she will decide that the bed is not at all suitable for solving the toilet issue, and the litter box is much nicer.

Diagnosis at the veterinary clinic

Urinary retention and its cause is determined on the basis of palpation, ultrasound, and X-rays of the overflowing organ. In addition to an enlarged bladder, these examinations help diagnose kidney disorders, neoplasms and stones.

Additionally, blood and urine tests are taken from the mustachioed patient. With their help, the causative agent of infection, the type of concrements and the level of intoxication of the body are identified.

Relief of the animal's condition and treatment

The condition of the patient is relieved by placing a catheter and taking medication. It is also mandatory to prescribe a therapeutic diet, which includes a reduced intake of proteins and fats.

Catheterization

In especially severe cases, catheterization is carried out before the ultrasound examination. It is used to remove all excess fluid from the urinary tract, and the urethra is flushed of toxic urine products.

The procedure is performed under anesthesia, and if large stones are detected, it is combined with urethrostomy – creation of an additional hole for urine diversion and subsequent installation of a permanent catheter.

Home treatment with medications

Drugs are selected individually based on the diagnosed cause. Sexual desire simply wait it out or eliminate it with castration.

With injuries, everything depends on their severity. The help of a surgeon is often required here. If the problem lies in diseases of the bladder and kidney abnormalities, then the mustachioed patient is prescribed:

• Antibiotics and antivirals, which destroy the infectious agent;
• diuretics, which stimulate the outflow of urine;
• anti-inflammatory, suppressing the inflammatory reaction;
• Rehydration solutions that normalize the water balance;
• Blood thinners to improve blood clotting;
• detoxifying drips, which eliminate the effects of poisoning;
• cardiogenics to stabilize the heart;
• analgesics and antispasmodics to relieve pain and spasms.

The decision to discontinue treatment is made by the doctor based on tests. Too early withdrawal or reduction of the dosage can turn into a sharp deterioration of the condition and the appearance of new complications.

How do I teach an adult cat or cat to poop in the wrong place?

A beloved cat is not only a purring joy in the house, but also some inconveniences, among which the most unpleasant is the habit of the animal to shit in the wrong place. Almost all owners are faced with this trouble. Many people often think that only their cat has problems, but this is not true. The shelter team is familiar with the problem when a pet tends to "do its business" in the wrong places. But we always manage to cope with the situation, and in this article we want to tell you how.

To understand how to wean a cat from shitting in the wrong place, we must first find out why he wants to do so. It is worth mentioning right away that this article will deal specifically with adult active animals. In situations with kittens or older cats, this is not the case, because due to their age they simply forget about where they need to crap. In such cases, the little ones are brought up and the older ones are controlled, since it is already problematic to change the situation.

But if the cat or cat, as they say, in the prime of life, then you need to figure out why the animal poops, and take action.

In most cases the problem with the litter box is solved very easily – you need to castrate the cat, and then he will stop shitting on the territory. And this applies to both cats and cats. In addition, this simple operation will save you from unpleasant cat behavior in general, and the pet from serious health problems.

The most trivial and common reason that many owners just don't realize is an uncomfortable litter box. People assume that the pet will go to any toilet that is offered to him. But this is not the case. The cat may feel uncomfortable because the sides are too high or low, the area is small, the surface is uncomfortable. It is difficult to guess what exactly the animal did not like, but if it knows where the litter box is, but stubbornly does not want to go there – it is worth to change it. Also sometimes it helps to get a second litter box, since some cats like to go to different toilets.