Old stray refuses to use litter box

Question
QUESTION: An older stray who's been "wandering the neighborhood for years," according to our next-door neighbor, found his way to our yard. He's neutered and gets along wonderfully with my dog, so it's clear that he was owned by someone at one point in his life, plus he's very affectionate and loves to sit on a lap and be petted. I brought him to our vet to be checked out and get his shots. (Thankfully he's FIV and FeLV negative.) We made a cozy and warm shelter for him on our front porch while we acclimated him to the idea of indoor living (he was terrified to come inside at first), but he slowly started liking the idea--especially since we live in upstate New York, and winter is VERY harsh here. But the trouble is, he absolutely refuses to use a litter box and twice urinated in the house--the first time in the dog's bed (!!!) and the second time on the living room rug. I've tried everything--various litters (including one guaranteed to attract cats to using a box), dirt, shredded newspaper (to simulate leaves; real leaves are buried under a foot of snow at this point), but nothing has worked. I even got an extra-large box, but that hasn't helped, either. I'm now afraid to let him inside in case he pees inappropriately again. (And, no, it isn't a stress-related issue. He's now quite happy to curl up on the couch or the chair or in front of the wood stove.) He's about 9 years old, according to our vet, so he likely hasn't used a litter box in many years, if ever. Now that he's become accustomed to being in the house, I feel so badly that I can't let him in anymore, but I can't trust him to not pee where he shouldn't. What else can I try? HELP!!

ANSWER: Dale,

Are you POSITIVE that he is not owned by someone? Usually a cat that wanders around for 'years' is not affectionate. To ease my conscience, I would put up flyers in the neighborhood in case he is someone's beloved pet. Maybe you can find out more information on him if nothing else.

It sounds like you have done all the 'proper' things to do as far as using the litterbox is concerned. Have you tried puppy pee pads on the floor? Some cats have an aversion to litter but will use those.

BUT it may be a medical problem and not a behavioral problem. His behavior is consistant to having a urinary tract infection or urinary crystals. They are painful when they pee and a cat will associate that pain with the litterbox and go elsewhere. He could also have kidney related issues which happens with an older cat. I would speak to your vet about the possiblity of either one.

If it is not a medical issue I would consider putting in a cat flap/cat door. That way the cat can still go outside to pee. It may be a possibility that his owners/previous owners had one and that is what he is used to using, and not a litterbox. If he doesn't know how to use one it takes a couple of weeks to train them to get used it. Send me a followup if you consider the possiblity and I will give you suggestions and tips on how to train him.

I hope this helps.
Tabbi

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi, Tabbi -

To answer your questions: Felix is definitely not owned by anyone. (Yes, I did put up signs when he first started hanging around.) My neighbor is very certain of that--plus it's pretty clear that we're his only source of food (other than the mice, etc., that he VERY successfully hunts), and if he had another home, I doubt that he would choose to sleep in the shelter on our front porch. Also, it isn't a medical issue. He had his annual wellness exam just last week, and my vet pronounced him just fine. Not to mention it's obvious from the copious amount of pee he left on the rug a few days ago that blockage isn't a problem!! It seems to be a purely behavioral issue: lack of familiarity and/or comfort with the idea of using a box to evacuate in. I'm afraid a cat door isn't possible, either, because we have an indoor-only cat. (Felix and Pip met once with disastrous results, so we've kept them separated: Felix comes in the house only when Pip is down in the basement, door securely closed, doing HIS mouse hunting.) I didn't mention previously that I've tried to confine Felix to one room with his food and the litter box--which also lets Pip can get used to the idea of another cat in HIS turf by smelling him on the other side of the door--but Felix becomes absolutely FRANTIC as soon as the door is closed behind him. He claws at the door to the point where he's taken splinters out of it and yowls like he's being tortured, so slowly acclimating him doesn't seem possible, either. (He's perfectly happy having the run of the house, however--he LOVES to curl up beside me on the couch--which he had until he urinated twice.) I haven't tried puppy pee pads, but frankly that's not something that would work, given our other kitty and our dog.

It may well be that Felix has been peeing and pooping outside for too many years to switch gears at this point. Although I'd love to be able to let him sleep inside, it may come down to him having to make do with his outside shelter. As it is, his life has definitely improved 100% from what it was. At least he has good food, a cozy shelter, vet care, and affection--even if the situation isn't ideal. But, of course, I'm still hoping I can eventually do more for him.

Thanks.
Dale

Answer

dog crate   Dale,

Hmmmm....ok, here's another suggestion.

Have you tried a dog crate to keep him him until he acclimates? I will include a picture of mine that I use for new cats, cat sitting, kittens, etc. It works great for me. I got it at Petco. There is room for a litterbox, food and water dishes, and when I use it for new cats I put in a small cat carrier with the door off to hide and sleep in, plus there is still room left over. Mine is (I think) 48x36x32.

It would keep him separated, yet the other animals can sniff and get to know him safely and vise-versa. It would help him to see around him and not be locked up...which obviously he hates! AND with a litter box in there he (hopefully) would be forced to use it and get used to using it.

I'm also including a couple of links about litterbox use (or non-use) where you may find some helpful information.
(copy and paste or type the whole links into your address bar)

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

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

http://www.apbc.org.uk/article10.htm

I'm glad he checked out OK. I hope something works so he won't have to be out in the cold. As they age, the cold becomes harder on them.

Tabbi