tonkinese seal point cat

Question
My cat is 8 years old and is now refusing to use the litter box.  He has always used the litter box but now he is peeing on the kitchen bench and I have found a poo in another room.  I have sprayed the bench with urine off product that the vet recommended.  I have bought another litter box but he wouldn't go near that.  I have returned his original box to the same place and have used 2 different products but he still will not use it.  The vet recommended the cat defuser in case he is suffering from stress which I placed in the common room.  He hasn't had a urine check yet because he will not pee in the box.He does not appear to have a urine problem as he goes morning and night when he is outside.

Answer
Diane,

When a cat quits using the litterbox it sometimes is a medical issue. It is always good to take the cat to the vet for a checkup to rule out that first.

He could have a kidney or urinary tract infection, or urinary crystals. Urinary crystals are very painful and the cats associate that pain with the litterbox and go elsewhere. If urinary crystals are not treated in time they can cause a complete blockage which is always fatal to male cats. It's always good to be on the safe side and check for a medical issue relating the cat's behavior before addressing it as a behavioral problem.

A cat will quit using the litterbox also when they are upset at you or stressed over something in or around the home. Have there been any changes in the home? Anyone move in or out? Any new pets in the home or in the neighborhood that she can see but can't get to? Have you left her alone for a couple of days? Have you not been paying attention to her and not playing with her as often?

Sometimes too, cats don't like where their litterbox is located. They like privacy. They also may decide they don't like the litter you are using or the litterbox becomes too small for their liking. Try getting some children play sand from Home Depot or a buiding supply store and see if she prefers that and a bigger litterbox with deeper litter in it.

I am including a couple of links that have informational articles on improper elimination that you may find helpful. Copy and paste or type the whole links into your address bar:

http://www.geocities.com/heartland/pointe/9352/litterboxhelp.html

http://cats.about.com/cs/behavioralissues/a/outsidebox_two.htm

I hope this helps.
Carol