litter box problem

I have been having problems with one of my cats. After getting declawed, she wasn't using the box to deficate. I did everything the vets and articles told me. I have two litter boxes now, even though the two cats still use the same one so i know that's not the problem. i used this technique of putting food down where she was going and that worked. Then all of the sudden, she started going less then one foot out of the box and there was some blood in the stool. I found out that she had an infection and we got her on medication. SHe was cured of that and was going in the box again. About three weeks later, she started going out of the box again (less than a foot). I don't want to try the food method because it's so close to the box and i would rather her go there than in the living room like before. Molly will go in the box, however, you have to put her in it or you must be in the room where the litter box is and then she'll go. Usually, she does it while we're sleeing or at work so we're not there to make sure she goes in the box. Any suggestions would be greatly apprecitated!!!!!

Maybe the medical problem has returned - you might rule that out first. Check with your VET...

The medical problem is clear. I've brought her back on two different occasions for checkups and the vet said it was clear. He suggested its time for exrays and more tests. I don't want to do that just yet. I'm going to switch vets to see if i can get a different opinion.

Good Idea another opinion is always good. You have to remember that once they associate pain with a place in this case the litter box while defecating they will go into avoidance mode. In the meantime you might want to clean the areas with a product like Pheromone Magic, it is an enzyme cleaner that is specially formulated to clear away cat odor. Cats always tend revisit spots they have already "marked" with pee or poop. Mayby this will eleviate the problem. Good luck

Kmbr24,

Do you have any idea what de-clawing involves? If my human were to rip my claws out by the first knuckle the way you did, I'd go outside the box too!

Declawing is inhumane and should be illegal. Before anyone does that to their cat, veterinarians should make them watch a video of the procedure to let them know exactly what is involved. But because vets are in the business to make money, it won't happen. Which is too bad.

Because your cat has a clean bill of health, it looks like it's because of the declawing.

In the meantime, expect your cat's personality to change (mine was once a loving cat who is now a scaredy cat terriried of my other cats). They can develop arthritis in their paws as well as problems walking, and litterbox problems.

Hell603, Thanks for the advise!!!


Donna, I also want to thank you for your advise and your comments. Is that what you do? You wait for someone to mention declawing and you go into this speech? My cat's has changed after the declawing, but for the better. She was a very scared and skitzy cat when we first got her (i received her from the pound). She became very lovey and always has to be with someone now. Every cat that I have owned has never had ANY problems with the declawment and yes, I know the procedure for the declawing. I came on this message board looking for advice and positive opinions for my cat, I never had in mind that someone would critize and have the type of attitude that you did for having my cat declawed. I would appreciate if you would not respond to ANYTHING that i put on this message board any longer.

Hi kmbr24-

The biggest reason for this forum is to help educate people about abuse towards cats and any other type of animal. Donna was trying to explain the cruelty you are putting your cat through when you declaw. It is illegal in most countries. You may not see the affect on your baby but it's there. You should look through the forum a little and check out the websites on declawing. It brought me to tears. How people could torture an animal that way to save a piece of furniture is beyond me. Declawing is cruel, your cat is not thankful to you for having it done. Which is probably the reason for the litter box problems. I am suprised if you knew what declawing is all about you would go through it anyhow. I am sorry for your kitties.

Kmbr24,

Sorry you were offended but you DID ask for advice. If you look at your last paragraph of your post, you were asking advice. Is it that you only want advice that YOU want to hear and skip the bad stuff??? You might want to get your head out of the sand and read about declawing.

I don't think your cat is lovey towards you because you declawed him either. He's probably terrified that you'll rip out his back claws if he makes you mad at him.

If you don't want advice, DON'T ASK FOR IT!!

I said i asked for advice, not to be critized. The reason I don't believe it's because of the declawing is because through my life, my parents have owned over 10 cats, all of which were fully declawed. We have never had any problems at all with any of the cats. I have two myself at this current time. The older doesn't have any problems from it. As far as the ripping the claws out, I believe the cat doesn't feel it when it's happening (my cats had it done at the same time they were spayed/nuetered). Do they feel it while it's happening? As far as the advice, if you thought my cats problem was from the declawing, all you had to was say so, you didn't have to go into a big speech about the whole procedures and how inhumane declawing is.

Kmbr24,

Here's an article I think you need to read. Whoever told you that the cats don't feel it lied to you.

http://www.listnow.com/helpingpaws/a...rticle_18.html

http://www.listnow.com/helpingpaws/a...rticle_87.html

Pretend you just had all your nails pulled out, you woke up from the anesthesia and tried to use your fingers and toes. It would hurt. Well, that's what cats feel. And it doesn't get better. But, no matter what I say to you, you seem to think that it's not your fault. Whatever...

Here's another article

http://www.hdw-inc.com/declaw.HTM

I am not criticizing anyone. I did the same thing to two of my cats and have regretted it ever since. At the time, my veterinarian didn't explain the procedure or even give me brochures telling me what other alternatives I had. And I also have 6 other cats who are NOT declawed and they are all trained to use the scratching post. I'm just asking that you read the two links I have posted here.

[Edited by donna on 03-29-2001 at 06:38 PM]

I have been off the site for a few days and was so upset to read this thread on declawing! I am the author of the newspaper columns - we are the only country who has not outlawed declawing and we are fighting very hard to have it banned as the cruelty to animals it is. There is a wonderful book called "Cat be Good" by Annie Bruce that really explains declawing. I know you want answers to your litter box problems but there aren't any in the case of a declawed cat - the litter hurts his paws because it goes where the claws are supposed to be. You could try Feline Pine which has bigger particles and may not hurt as much. I know you must be feeling "ganged up" on but any true blue cat site is going to criticize you for declawing. You cannot show a purebred cat who is declawed in any cat fancy - you can't show a household pet either because it is considered maiming and disfiguring.

I usually tell people to cut off just one of their fingers at the first knuckle - which includes bone, ligaments and tendons (which is what you do when you declaw) and then say how it isn't any big deal and how much better your cats are.

I would like to focus on the litter problem. Have you tried changing to a different textured litter? Shredded newspapers are a real hassle, but sometimes works. Her paws may be more sensitive now, and little grains of litter can get wedged in crevices and really hurt. There seem to be a million litters out there. Hopefully, a little experientation and patience will solve the problem.

We have tried a different litter. It's more grainy. She was going in that for a while (if we put her in it), but now she goes back to the regular litter (fine). She has her days. As long as some one is in the room with the box, she'll go right in and go. We treat her like a little kid. I'll put her in the box before I leave just to see if she has to go. If she goes, she gets a lot of attention (she gets it anyway) and we give her treats telling her what a good girl she is. However, if someone is not home to make sure she goes in the box, she'll go out of it. So I'm thinking it may be an attention thing. I couldn't see why it would be, we don't pay her any attention when she goes out of the box, I ignore it and throw it away while she's not looking and clean the area. So you think she would always want to go in the box with as much attention as she's getting. SHe's getting a little better within the past few days, but she has her moments.

I want to thank everyone for their help and opinions. Unfortunately, there's nothing left for me to do except to keep an eye on her and to keep putting her in the box or for someone to be in the room. Thanks again!!!