Sick and tired of my second cat

Sunny has always used his litter box like a dream, so I can't help you with that. I can tell you that I used to clean his box once a day and this was not enough for him. I was sitting in the living room one evening and Sunny decided to bring in a piece of poo to me. Since that time, I have been scooping his box 2 times a day. It's a covered box, so it's hard to remember. Also, we live in a 500 Sq ft. house (very tiny) and we have Sunny's litterbox under the bathroom sink (it's a pedastool sink). Perhaps you could try to squeeze a small box somewhere in your house for your new litte one.

Sunny was wild and crazy at first and cried and yowled alot at first. He kept us up most nights (biting toes, laying on my throat, running and crashing through the house, etc.). He's 7 mos. old now and has calmed down considerably. Please give your kitten time, he's still growing and learning.

You've been given some wonderful advice so far, but I just wanted to add that a cat's digestive system works a lot like our own ... that is to say that the act of eating food causes the stomach to work and move food along down into the intestinal tract where it is then expelled into the litter box, usually within 10 to 20 minutes after eating. What I do is to feed my cats (I have four of them sharing a huge, under the bed storage plastic tote which serves as a "community" litter box) and while they are eating, I go to scoop the box and flip it completely if necessary. Then, when their little systems kick in and they have to go to the potty box, it is clean and fresh for them. I have never had a problem using this method.

You have to make it a part of your routine, as others have mentioned. Once it becomes a habit, you'll be happier with the fact that there is little to no odor, the cats will be happier because their potty is clean and fresh for them and everyone can get along with the happy process of coexisting.

If, after you've taken the kitten to the vet to rule out health issues, you keep the box clean and freshly scooped out, the problem still exists, then there is a whole sticky thread here about inappropriate litter box behavior. I suggest you read through it and try some of the tips and advice presented there. Here's the link:

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9563

You've been given some good advice but I have a question, are you sure it is the kitten going outside the box? Sometimes a cat will break normal litterbox habits when a new cat is brought in, they are very territorial. Also does the kitten have access to your whole house? I have had better luck confining a new one to a small area with the litter box and gradually giving them more freedom when I am sure they know where they are supposed to go and go there. As for the other issues, he is just a baby, be patient he will learn and grow.

The good news about his activity levels at night is that as he ages that will decrease. Last year we added a kitten to our 3 adult cat household and I'd forgotten just how wound up and full of energy they can get! Seti reminded me and it can be very irritating. On the other hand though, it doesn't last forever and some of the fun stuff you can do with them when they are young eventually just fades into cuddle time. I tried to remember to enjoy the silliness since it goes away all too soon! It sounds like your little guy will be a first rate cuddler as he ages. One tip about the butt in the face, if you wait until he's asleep in that stage of deep sleep where they get "soggy" you can usually scoop them up and move them. A few nights of this should help him reorient his rear somewhere other than your face!

juz wanna share with u how clean cats wan their litter box to be. id been observing my kitten (6th day here with us) who's having a diarhea. the worst spell was 3-4time poo-ing within the hour. i observed her n the litter box. little hills form in different 'regions' of the 45x35cm litter box- no overlapping and all as far as possible from earlier 'hills'.she just will NOT step on her poo-ed or wee-ed spot... tat shd give a clue on how particular cats are abt the cleanliness of her toilet

Excellent advice has already been given. You are dealing with the comparison of a human toddler. They do outgrow many of these behaviors.

As for the litter boxes, many cats like to poop in one box and urinate in another. This is an instinct. Many of mine are rescues and they are very peticular about this.

Scooping 2 times a day and adding a little more litter to make up for what you scooped out is most helpful. Clean the box and replace the litter more often also helps.

If space is keeping you from adding another box, a corner box might work for you. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=3414 Cheaper ones can be found.

I had good results cleaning up with www.urineoff.com .

Cats are known to ambush another cat using the litter box and that will cause them to avoid it. You may not catch them doing this but it happens.

When I had kittens I temporarily kept extra boxes out everywhere the kitten was playing because they have to go more often and may wait too late to make it to the regular box location. Again, paralleling a human toddler.

The scratching is something that they learn where to and not to. Being a kitten now this will get better with age and learning. It helps to have a couple of different scratching items. The stand up type and the cardboard type worked well with my kitties.

Last effort would be (after checking with the vet) to consult a feline animal behaviorist. I got great help from a behaviorist for my rescued dog.

Hang in there and give it time.

Originally Posted by Mustangfreak

kitten is not declawed, though sometimes I wish he was lol. But I wont do that.

I only have 1 litter box. I barley have room for the one, so a second is out of the question.

I scoop it out every 2-3 days.

Click to expand...

that could very well be the problem!
my cats have me trained to scoop in the morning and at night. i have three cats and four boxes.

I can't add any advice that hasn't already given. I was taught a lesson when Ramsay was a kitten. I put his new box with clean litter for him when we brought him home, but a little more than a day went by without us scooping it. He pooped on the floor right outside the box. I started scooping it daily and it's never happened again. Then Gus came along 2 years later. Gus demands the litter box be scooped at least twice daily or he will do his business in a corner of the bathroom. I've put the box in a location that's easy for me to quickly scoop several times a day. Good luck!

As I said above, if you find it difficult to clean the box often enough for your cats (for example, if you work long hours and therefore are not around to do it more than once a day, or if you are often gone overnight) you might want to look into an automatic one. There are several brands out there, and each has its advantages and disadvantages, and each has its passionate defenders and detractors.

Any updates? How are things going for you and your kitties (and their litterboxes)?