i need help my cat wont use her litter box anymore!!

loriz

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I need desperate help
my cat is about 8months old she was spayed 2 months ago and her front paws declawed i dont think this has anything to do with whats going on but
shes always been well litter trained and the last week she has peed on my husband, pooped in the floor, and on my couch EWWWW its so nasty
i just dont know what is going on with her and when she actually goes in the box (like one or 2 times) she gets poo all over her!!!!
whats going on anyone ????
 

fluffysimba

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I would suggest getting her to the doctor and making sure this is not a medical problem like a urinary tract infection. It could simply be behavioral. So you need to rule out the medical to work on the behavioral.

It could be she doesn't like the litter you are using or maybe you need to add another box too.

Best wishes in this.
 
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loriz

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Originally Posted by fluffysimba

I would suggest getting her to the doctor and making sure this is not a medical problem like a urinary tract infection. It could simply be behavioral. So you need to rule out the medical to work on the behavioral.

It could be she doesn't like the litter you are using or maybe you need to add another box too.

Best wishes in this.
would anyone have any idea on about what this would cost (a check up) in NC
 

marsch21

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Originally Posted by loriz

I need desperate help
my cat is about 8months old she was spayed 2 months ago and her front paws declawed i dont think this has anything to do with whats going on but
shes always been well litter trained and the last week she has peed on my husband, pooped in the floor, and on my couch EWWWW its so nasty
i just dont know what is going on with her and when she actually goes in the box (like one or 2 times) she gets poo all over her!!!!
whats going on anyone ????
I would have your cat checked by the vet but the most likely cause is from the declawing. Since the procedure is very painful and during recovery scratching is painful this is most likely a direct effect of the declawing. We experienced the same thing when adopting a declawed Ragdoll. I would try soft litters and go through retraining. There is alot of good information regarding this subject on the web.
 

meowsersmom

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From what I've read, many declawed cats develop litterbox problems since it hurts their paws to dig around, leading them to try to find softer areas to pee on. Try putting some shredded paper or rabbit pellets in her box.
 

hissy

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it could be the declaw, or the stress the cat went through to get declawed. I would take the cat to the vet to check for a UTI.
 

rockcat

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Originally Posted by loriz

would anyone have any idea on about what this would cost (a check up) in NC
It really depends on what kind of tests they need to do. Its important though, so please take him.

I never had a declawed cat, but Tripod's front paw is not formed right. If a large chunk of litter gets caught between his toes it is painful to him. I use very fine litter to avoid this. Perhaps your cat doesn't like the litter you are using.
 

familytimerags

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I would also think it could be a number of things. A vet visit to make sure that nothing medical is the problem is important. I have heard of many, many cats who have problems after declawing, and had to switch to using shredded paper. Declawing isn't like spaying, it is 10 separate surgeries that are extemely painful and put much stress on a cat.
If it turns out to be behaviorial, I would suggest to put the litter box in a small room, to begin retraining her. As she takes to the litter box again, slowly start giving her more room as hers again.
I also know that cats can be very picky about a clean litter box, have you had anything come up in your life that may have kept her litter box not as clean as she typically has it. She could just be telling you she needs an extra box as well. I have some cats who will only use a litter box for urine and only use one box for feces, and will not ever do both in one litter box.
Good luck!!
 

semiferal

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I would also recommend a vet visit. I don't know how much it will cost, but definitely way less than you spent to have her declawed.

The declaw may well be the cause. Remember that she had every toe on her front paws amputated at the first knuckle. It's not hard to see how that could make her reluctant to use the litterbox. No doubt it hurts, probably a lot. The vet will be able to tell you if there is an obvious problem. Otherwise you may have to seek the advice of a behaviorist who can help you set up a litterbox situation that your cat will find acceptable. Unfortunately, declawing is not only a severely painful and completely unnecessary procedure, but it also often causes litterbox aversion issues. There is probably a solution to your problem but it may not be quick or inexpensive.
 

yosemite

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I agree with the others. FIRST - rule out an infection, i.e., UTI by taking her to the vet.

If she does not have an infection, then the declaw is probably the problem. In that case you will have to try some different soft litters like Yesterday's News, etc. until you find one she will use.

Also you should probably have a second litter pan for her. We have 2 for our cats and we find they prefer to pee in one and poo in the other and it isn't really much more work to scoop 2 instead of one litter.
 
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loriz

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thanks for all the info.
she is doing better now
i think what happened was the first time she messed in the house i was planning to clean the litter but i didnt get to it yet well then thats when she did it in the floor and when i put her in the litter to show her well it stuck to her (i think cause it was the chunkier litter i bought just this time and it doesnt cover well) and then i had to bathe her and it tramatized her i think cause then after she kept doing it and was acting wierd
so i got the fine litter again and just left her alone and shes been doing good
i think the bath did it!!
her paws are fine they are completely healed its been nearly 3 months and she's never had any issues with them
so all is well now and i appreciate all the help
 
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