Need help with Sluggo's behavior

lndscpsam

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Well, Sluggo is 2 days away from the end of his Baytril treatment for a nasty UTI infection. He's going to the bathroom normally again, but with one perculiarlartiy - he pees on the floor next to his litterbox! I've cleaned the litterbox, disinfected the floor, you name it! Any clue as to why he would be doing this? He's not going potty anywhere else in the house. He seems back to normal in every way except this. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!
 

yosemite

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He may be associating the litter box with the pain he experienced trying to use it when he had the UTI. Try dumping the litter, cleaning the box and use a different litter until he realizes it doesn't hurt anymore.

I'm sure others with more knowledge/experience will be along shortly with other suggestions.
 

katachtig

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There is a special type of litter called Cat Attract which may lure him back into the box. I've been able to find it at PetsMart and Petco.
 

heatherhug

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Maybe move the box and put a rug on the spot where he was peeing, or buy a different looking box, litter or both. I think the person that said he may associate the box with that old pain is on to something. I have an old cat that has been doing that for years. I put cheap 2$ walmart rugs in double layers around the box so she hits that, then I wash them every week or so. Its a pain, but I tried everything else. Problem is I didnt do anything about it when she stared doing it, but for clean it up. Now its just a habit of her's. She dosent do it all the time either. When I DO see her use the box I throw her a kitty treat. Like I said Ive been doing this for awhile now, so now she will go in the box, come out and then just stand and look at me, waiting for her treat.
 
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lndscpsam

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Originally Posted by heatherhug

Maybe move the box and put a rug on the spot where he was peeing, or buy a different looking box, litter or both. I think the person that said he may associate the box with that old pain is on to something. I have an old cat that has been doing that for years. I put cheap 2$ walmart rugs in double layers around the box so she hits that, then I wash them every week or so. Its a pain, but I tried everything else. Problem is I didnt do anything about it when she stared doing it, but for clean it up. Now its just a habit of her's. She dosent do it all the time either. When I DO see her use the box I throw her a kitty treat. Like I said Ive been doing this for awhile now, so now she will go in the box, come out and then just stand and look at me, waiting for her treat.
I can't put rugs down. I took them up because he was peeing on those. But you may be right about him associating pain with the box. But then again, I know he's doing his poopies in there. Hmmmm.... and Sluggo is only 1 1/2, so it can't be age. I'll have to try a new litter as suggested. Maybe that will work. I'll actually see my vet in karate class tonight, so I'll ask her opinion too. I'll keep you all posted. Thank you so much for all the suggestions! Keep them coming!
 

heatherhug

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Yeah, Baby DOES pee on the rugs, thats why I get these cheap ones at Walmart for 3$. Id rather have her do those than the carpet, I can wash those. It was a last resort for me, I certainly dont like her peeing anywhere but the box.
 

myboys15

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I am wondering if you have a covered or uncovered litterbox. My boy (RIP Sebastian) putting his front paws in the uncovered litter box and peed on the floor. I do not think he knew that he was peeing on the floor.

Let your vet know that Sluggo is peeing outside of the litterbox. It may mean more than we know or it could just be like people have said, that he associated the pain with the litterbox.

Best Wishes!
 

jcat

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I would try a new box (different shape/color/size), as he probably associates the old one with pain.
 

katachtig

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I just remembered something. Some cats like two litterboxes - one for pee and one for poop. Is there anyway you can sneak in a second box?
 
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lndscpsam

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Originally Posted by Myboys15

I am wondering if you have a covered or uncovered litterbox. My boy (RIP Sebastian) putting his front paws in the uncovered litter box and peed on the floor. I do not think he knew that he was peeing on the floor.

Let your vet know that Sluggo is peeing outside of the litterbox. It may mean more than we know or it could just be like people have said, that he associated the pain with the litterbox.

Best Wishes!
Sluggo has an open automatic litterbox. He's peeing about 2 feet from the litterbox, so he can't be putting his front paws in. My vet seems to think he is associating it with pain like many of you have said. She suggested putting an empty litterbox where he's peeing and slowly introducing the cat litter again. She also mentioned trying the Cat Attract litter that some have mentioned too. And btw, he does have a litterbox on each floor of the house. I think I'll try putting a spare empty litterbox where he's peeing first and take it from there. I'll keep you all posted! Thanks!
 
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