Cat litter box problem

Question
I have 2 female cats, 9 and 5.  I have 2 litter boxes in the bathroom, one is located in bathtub. For the past 2-3 weeks, one cat (I don't know which) is peeing in the bathtub outside the litter box.  It is not a daily occurrence,but every 2-3 days. Prior to this recent epsisode, it has happened 2-3 times/year. I even left the litter box out of the tub for several days and a cat peed in the bare bath tub. I have noticed one of my cats does not bury her feces. I am wondering if it is annoying the other cat-hence she pisses in the tub.  Any suggestions?  I am tired of scrubbing the bathtub.

Answer
Phjyllis -

Have both cats checked for urinary tract problems and intesgtinal parasites. If the results are negative for both, then you will just have to work out behavioural kinks.  

Some cats actually like the way the bathtub feels as they walk.  Texture is extremely important to cats; experiment with differnet mats to line the bathtub.  Yo may find a mat that your cats like and are willing to use.  

Depending on how long you had the litter boxes, you may wnat to get new litter boxes.  Plastic litter boxes eventuallu hold the scent of urine.  Even though we cannot detect the imbedded urine in an old litterbox, the sensitive nose of a cat can detect even the slightest hint of old urine.

You can also place an additive into tne litterbox to encourage you cat to use it.  CATATTRACT is a great litter additive composed of herbs that will interest your litty in using his/her litter box.

Best Regards,

Charlotte Sherrell, DVM