Cat stopped using litter tray

foxx

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Hi all

My first post here and I hope you can help!

Over the past few weeks my 6.5yr old male cat (neutered) has stopped using the litter tray properly. He now tends to pee and poop on the floor near or next to the tray instead. I can't really see any reason as to why he is doing this and I can't seem to get him to stop. I have another male cat who is younger (they treat each other like father and son really) and he has no problem using the tray at all.

I would really like to do something about this but I'm not sure what I can do or why he is doing this. Whenever he goes, it's always in the vicinity of the litter tray, but not in the actual tray itself.

We use paper based litter, as its the only kind of litter that they will go on, and it is changed daily.

Do you have any suggestions for how to change this behaviour back to using the litter tray?

Thanks in advance!

Foxx.
 

strange_wings

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Everyone is going to say this, get him checked out by a vet - ASAP. Please do this, it will help rule out the possiblity of a UTI or another medical problem.
 

beandip

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Originally Posted by strange_wings

Everyone is going to say this, get him checked out by a vet - ASAP. Please do this, it will help rule out the possiblity of a UTI or another medical problem.
failing to use the box is often a sign of a health problem. The way the cat sees it is litterbox=pain - so they try it elsewhere.

Also, it's a good idea to have 3 boxes for 2 cats (1 per cat, plus one)...at least 2 pans. Regardless of anything, I would add a pan.
 
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foxx

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Thank you both! I will take him to the vets asap and get him checked out. I will also get another tray too and hopefully that should help. Thanks so much for your replies!
 

strange_wings

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While you're out, you may want to pick up an enzyme cleaner if you don't already have one around the house. Make sure the pee and poo smell is out of the floor so he and the other cat don't try to use that later.
 

white cat lover

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Well, I think everything I was gonna say has been covered!


I hope the vet visit goes well for you & your kitty! Hopefully, everything will be cleared up soon!
 
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