Hello everyone! Firstly this is a great forum that I have be lurking around for awhile. I have a question. I have two cats and about a month ago I accidently scared my male cat on 3 different occasions while he was going to the bathroom(in the litter box). A few days after he peed in my bed. Thats the only accident he has had, but I have noticed that he does not use the litter box when I am around(unless I am asleep). I have noticed that he sleeps more when I come home, and I think he is holding it instead of going to the bathroom because he is afraid. How can I help him? I feel really bad and want to fix the situation.
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Litter box issues...
- Thread starter qamar456
- Start Date
I'm not sure, but it might help if we knew what actually happened to scare him, especially since it happened on three separate occasions.
Are you sure he's not "going" somewhere else? He can't hold it indefinitely , but with more than one cat, sometimes it's hard to know exactly who's doing what and where
There is a litter called Cat Attract that helps bring cats back to the litter box, but not sure that's what you really need, if you suspect he's using it when you aren't around.
Please give us more details about what happened, so we might be able to better assist.
Are you sure he's not "going" somewhere else? He can't hold it indefinitely , but with more than one cat, sometimes it's hard to know exactly who's doing what and where
There is a litter called Cat Attract that helps bring cats back to the litter box, but not sure that's what you really need, if you suspect he's using it when you aren't around.
Please give us more details about what happened, so we might be able to better assist.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #3
Firstly, thank you for your reply. The first time he got scared it was because my female cat was play and tipped over my TV(she was on top of it and is fine). He got scared and ran of while he was going. He peed on the carpet as a result. The second time it was because my female cat was playing and tipped of the chair in my room( each time she was a bit high on catnip and a little more aggressive than normal). He was going number 2 and it also went on the carpet. The third time was my fault. I walked in my room as he was going and tripped and yelped. He once again peed on the carpet. After that he wont go in the litter box if I am around. He will do it when I'm "asleep"(I can hear him), I am not usually at home during the day so I assume he is doing it during the day. I don't think he is going anywhere else(I have searched).
Sorry no one has responded back to you yet
Got another question(actually a couple) for you. How many litter boxes do you have? More than one? Is your layout big enough for you to have at least two? Could you put one somewhere "out of the way" where he could feel safe in it? I don't mean hidden in a closet somewhere, because cat's like to be able to see all around when they are doing their business, but also they don't want to be in the middle of the traffic zone. For instance, I have one litter box in a bathtub in a bathroom that doesn't get a lot of people going in and out of it. Then I actually DO have another one in a closet, but it's not a walk-in and the sliding door is open on both ends so they can see out (and run out of necessary), (and there are no clothes in that closet or they would be covered in litter dust
) so it actually acts kind of like an alcove. Then I have another one in a corner of a room, facing the door to the room so they can see of an intruder is coming in.
Here's an article on proper litter box placement : http://www.thecatsite.com/a/litter-box-location-secrets
Oh, and BTW, if your litter box has a lid on it, you might try removing it. Some cats absolutely do NOT like those. It makes them feel trapped.
Got another question(actually a couple) for you. How many litter boxes do you have? More than one? Is your layout big enough for you to have at least two? Could you put one somewhere "out of the way" where he could feel safe in it? I don't mean hidden in a closet somewhere, because cat's like to be able to see all around when they are doing their business, but also they don't want to be in the middle of the traffic zone. For instance, I have one litter box in a bathtub in a bathroom that doesn't get a lot of people going in and out of it. Then I actually DO have another one in a closet, but it's not a walk-in and the sliding door is open on both ends so they can see out (and run out of necessary), (and there are no clothes in that closet or they would be covered in litter dust
Here's an article on proper litter box placement : http://www.thecatsite.com/a/litter-box-location-secrets
Oh, and BTW, if your litter box has a lid on it, you might try removing it. Some cats absolutely do NOT like those. It makes them feel trapped.
I think it's a great idea that mrsgreenjeens has to add another box because he might already associate scary things happening while in the other box. By putting a new box with no association at a different location may help him get over his fear.
I'm sorry this is serious matter but I couldn't help giggling for a bit, imagining all those accidents happening RIGHT when he's doing his business. He has had very bad timing!
I'm sorry this is serious matter but I couldn't help giggling for a bit, imagining all those accidents happening RIGHT when he's doing his business. He has had very bad timing!
The poor boy sounds traumatized. That is very good advise about a new box in a new location, and he needs LOTS of reassurance to gain his sense of security back. You may want to get some 'calming' treats from amazon to have around for the next time! Good luck!
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