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   Question    posted to Pet Trainers on 07/01/09 07:32 PM, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
We have a 9 month old kitten who refuses to use the litter box.
We tried changing the type of litter and getting more litter boxes(we have 3 other cats), but she still refuses to use the litter box and goes all over the house.  We recently tried putting her in the bathroom with the litter box, but when we let her out to eat and play for a while she again went on the floor.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
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Specialist Answer 1 of 3
   Answered By     Common Ground Dog Training, 07/02/09 12:53 PM
Common Ground Dog Training
36 Pine Trail
Carmel, NY 10512
914-329-8369
cgdt@peoplepc.com
View Business Info

Hi, First of all, have her checked by your Vet for a urinary tract infection. Once that is ruled out, change the litter to "Cat Attracting Litter. For three cats you should have 3 litter boxes, if they all are the hooded kind, she may not like that, have one that is not hooded. Make sure you keep the litter boxes very clean, many cats don't like it if it is dirty. I would also suggest trying "Feliway" sprayed around the litter boxes. This could be a multiple cat issue, she may be stressed and the Feliway can help with that.

I would also suggest you clicker train her, I can help you with that. I specialize in clicker training and solving this sort of behavior problem.

She should be put in the litter boxes at least six times a day, and if she uses the box, you would click and treat her. Reward for the right behavior can really help with this issue. You can find complete instructions on how to clicker train your cat on the internet, or you can contact me. I have helped many people solve this problem using the clicker, and I have also had two cats of my own who developed this after they had a urinary infection. They associate pain upon urinating with the litter boxes, and that is how the behavior of peeing all over the house can get started. Also, some cats get stressed over the other cats using the litter boxes.

Confining her was a good idea.  You need to follow up with supervising her when she is loose, I would suggest you stay in one room with her,  and frequently taking her to the litter box. Having litter boxes in more than one location is also a good idea. Good luck, and I hope to hear from you.

Linda Lukens, Common Ground Dog Training, 845 228-0341

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Specialist Answer 2 of 3
   Answered By     Paws and Effect, 07/05/09 01:29 PM
Paws and Effect

Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567
914-734-2412
dogpeople@optonline.net
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The best advice I can give you is to bring your kitten to your vet for a complete medical exam.  Inappropriate elimination in cats is very often due to urinary tract/kidney problems.  You must rule out any physical problems before using any behavior modification techniques.  Sometimes, if they have a urinary tract infection, for example, eliminating can be unpleasant, and they can associate that unpleasantness with their litter box.  Also, if your kitten is still intact, I would recommend altering the cat.  This can help with territorial marking behavior, especially in multi-cat households. 

If you rule out any physical problems, then some positive reinforcement based behavior modification is indicated.  You will want to set the cats up for success, by making the litter box as attractive to eliminate in as possilbe, generously reward the appropriate use of it, and limit his access to areas he tends to have accidents in.

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Specialist Answer 3 of 3
   Answered By     Bobbi's Holistic Pet Care , 07/11/09 12:05 PM
Bobbi's Holistic Pet Care
301 Memorial Drive
Hawthorne, NY 10532
914-769-1446
Email Company
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Problems with your kitten using the litter box are common!  Even though your other cats are not having any issues something about the placement of the litter box, how often it is cleaned, whether it is enclosed or not,  the litter used, the chemicals used in cleaning the box may be upsetting your kitten!  Usually in multi-cat households, the general rule is to provide one more litter box than the # of cats providing you have enough space.  Some cats like to use one box for urine and the other for feces.     Also, cats will not soil the area in which they eat or drink, so consider feeding your kitten in a enclosed space like the bathroom in close proximity to the litter box.   Keep her in there for a period of time until you feel she has gotten use to this routine before you allow her out.  make sure you give her some individual play time so she does not feel that this is a punishment!

Cats will use scent to decide where they will eliminate so make sure you have cleaned the area where she has soiled with a cleaning solution that has enzymes to eliminate the scent. 

If your kitten was use to eliminating outdoors before you got her consider giving her a separate litterbox starting with material like dirt or pine and slowly introducing other litter until she is able to accept indoor litter.

I would be happy to speak with you further about other possible solutions.  My name is Bobbi Pollack and I am an animal behaviorist specializing in cats ( I have 3 of my own) using Tellington TTouch, flower essences and Reiki.  I run a business called Bobbi's Holistic Pet Care and can be reached at 914 769-1446.  For more information about what I do log onto www.bobbisholisticcare.com.  Thanks!

 

 

 

 

 

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