An Observation...

We have 4 cats at the rescue I volunteer with that habitually pee outside the litter box.

1 has a chronic UTI that they've been unable to get under control.

The other 3 are perfectly healthy, but declawed.


Kind of speaks for itself.......


Just thought I'd share my observations

Will the declawed ones use the softer clumping litter?

But yeah, it could be because of the declaw too

Originally Posted by AlleyGirl

We have 4 cats at the rescue I volunteer with that habitually pee outside the litter box.

1 has a chronic UTI that they've been unable to get under control.

The other 3 are perfectly healthy, but declawed.

Kind of speaks for itself.......

Click to expand...

Just thought I'd share my observations

Click to expand...

But not to this old fool. Is it because declawed cats don't like the feel of litter on their feet?

All of my cats are declawed and only one has a problem useing the box, it may be the litter

aww bless the little sweethearts - lots of positive re-homing (((((vibes))))) whizzing their way


SAVE A PAW - DON'T DECLAW

Since cats will stop using their litterbox when they associate pain with it, often declawed cats and cats with chronic UTIs have this problem. A declawed cat can often go for years without having litterbox issues, but once it starts it usually ends up in them being tossed to the curb.
The pain of the surgery followed by trying to use the litter box and it hurting them can cause this aversion. I also feel that cats who are declawed often have more sensitive feet, since they aren't protected by the claws.
Imagine how vulnerable your toes would be without nails.
Not every declawed cat will have problems, obviously, but it is so common. Hence the "Speaks for itself".
It's a rather tragic irony since people who don't want their cats scratching their furniture aren't likely to enjoy them pissing on it either.

Devlyn

Originally Posted by Devlyn

It's a rather tragic irony since people who don't want their cats scratching their furniture aren't likely to enjoy them pissing on it either.

Click to expand...

I never really thought about it quite like that, but that is so true!

Originally Posted by AlleyGirl

We have 4 cats at the rescue I volunteer with that habitually pee outside the litter box.

1 has a chronic UTI that they've been unable to get under control.

The other 3 are perfectly healthy, but declawed.


Kind of speaks for itself.......


Just thought I'd share my observations

Click to expand...

It could be the litter. Declawed cats walk on their pads, rather than their toes. So a litter that has big pieces (like standard clay) can feel like walking barefoot on a gravel road. Declawed cats really prefer soft sandy scooping litter (mine sure do).

You could also give Cat Attract litter a try (which is a softer scooping litter).

Right now they are using the rough clay litter because that is what we get donated for free. I don't have the money to buy them all softer litter or I would.

One of them may have a home this weekend though so keep your fingers crossed She is an 8 yr old black dsh and very very sweet.