My cat is refusing to cover.

Question
I have a 9 month old cat that I had spayed and declawed about a month ago. She is refusing to cover up her b.m. when she gets done. How do I get her to do it again. How do I get her to quit peeing behind my couch?

Answer
Naomi,

Her behavior more than likely stems from being declawed.

It is a very painful procedure that can have life long repercussions. They amputate the 'fingers' of the cat past the first joint so the claws cannot grow back. It is a long healing process and sometimes there are exposed nerves that do not heal. It is like having your fingers amputated recently and using the nubs to dig gravel.

I would try using shredded newspaper instead of cat litter. She is probably avoiding the litterbox to pee because she associates her pain with the litterbox. The same with pooping. She goes but avoids having to cover it up because it is painful to do so.

Tabbi