Litter Box Problems

Hey all!

I have two male cats, both brothers and never separated from birth. They are around 10 years of age and both very healthy. In the last few months, they have started peeing all over my house. At first it was just the breezeway where one litter box is kept, then the tub in the bathroom where the other one is, and now the living room, kitchen, and even the staircase! We've tried cleaning the litter box more often, but honestly our schedule is too busy to change them both more than once a week. Is there anything we can do to help change this behavior?

Thanks!

~ Iterie

Iterie said:

 
our schedule is too busy to change them both more than once a week. Is there anything we can do to help change this behavior?

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When you say "change them", do you mean scooping the waste out of the box, or completely cleaning out the box and putting in fresh litter? Cause if you're not at least scooping the box more than once a week, that might certainly be a contributing factor. You shouldn't have to wash the box that often.

But, at 10 yrs of age, I'd also be curious if your kitties have been for a senior wellness exam at the vet lately. Older cats are prone to a number of health conditions that can have inappropriate elimination as one of the symptoms. So that might be a good place to start. Any other changes in eating/drinking habits? Activity levels?

Back to the litter box for a second: what type of litter do you use, and have there been any changes in that or the placement/type of litter boxes?

The suggestions given by @Sugarcatmom are spot on.  Since the accidents started just recently, you really want to get both cats checked by a vet.  Do you know who is doing the peeing outside of the box?  Is it both cats or just one?  So first step is a vet check for both.

Secondly, when they have accidents are you cleaning them up with a good enzymatic cleaner?  If not the cats will still smell the urine and continue to the use the spot over and over just like it's a litter box. 

Here are a few videos on litter box issues