cat woes...

Hi all, got an issue here and I'm not sure what to do.

I've got two cats (5 & 4 years old). The younger one, Dottie, is an incredible cat. Really, I couldn't ask for a better companion for our family, but she has this issue that's really starting to test my patience.

It started about six months ago, where she would would have an "accident", by peeing outside of the box once a week or so... She was in the box, but her fanny would poke through the opening and she would just go... kind of like she was confused or something. No big deal. I love the cat, and figured it was just a perk of being pet owner... That was 6 months ago... So far she's done this at least 50 times since... What am I doing wrong?

Both cats have their own box (although they do share). The boxes are close together, but not right on top of each other. The litter has always been cleaned twice a day. They are closed boxes, but when we had opened boxes they wouldn't use them. The litter is constantly changed. No UTIs. They are deep basin boxes, so the hole actually sits higher than where her butt is, and she practically has to go out of her way to pee on my floor now, but she still does... My only guess now is that she's trying to lash out...

I'm concerned because she has to step in the urine to get out of the box. When she does this, she tracks it through my house. I've got a daughter who's 4 weeks old, and can't be having this kind of behavior.

As much as I love this cat, and believe me I love these girls like I love my daughters. I'm concerned about the health issues... and I'm afraid if this problem doesn't get resolved, I'm going to have to give her up...

I can understand some resentment or jealousy with my new daughter, but that really only explains the last month...

It would crush everyone in my family (including my other cat) if I had to get rid of her, but I feel like I'm running out of options here. Please help..

I've never hit or yelled at the cat when she does this... About the worse I've done is give her a firm "NO!", but you know how cat's go...

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Thank you for any assistance or suggestions.

Try using a big rubbermaid storage tub as the litterbox, and cut a square opening in the top of it as the access. Unless your cat pees straight up in the air, that should solve the problem!

That's a great suggestion. I'll give it a try.

Should I try it without the lid first so they get used to it, or do it with the lid on so as to not confuse in the future?

If the cat is standing *in* the box but missing it, as you describe, the litterbox is either too small or the level of litter in it may be too high. A very large box should do the trick, and only put the minimum of litter in the bottom necessary.

But please also get her to a vet and make sure there's nothing wrong with her physically. This does sound behavioral... but you need to be sure she's not sick.

Originally Posted by emmylou

If the cat is standing *in* the box but missing it, as you describe, the litterbox is either too small or the level of litter in it may be too high. A very large box should do the trick, and only put the minimum of litter in the bottom necessary.

Click to expand...

I don't think the box size is an issue, as the box was designed for "For the husky cat" and she's on a small/medium sized cat (about 9lbs). Maybe the litter level is too high... I'll double check it tonight.

Originally Posted by CarolPetunia

But please also get her to a vet and make sure there's nothing wrong with her physically. This does sound behavioral... but you need to be sure she's not sick.

Click to expand...

I took her to the vet twice so far with this issue and both times she's come back with a clean bill of health... She's just trying to get my attention I think

Thank you both.

Just a quick update, I took GingersMom's suggestion and picked up one of the rubbermaid bins...

Although it looks a little goofy, it seemed to have curbed this problem.

Just wanted to say thank you for your suggestion, and to thank everyone else who replied.

-K.