This is a really weird question, but...
My cat is a little over a year old, and I adopted her at 11 weeks. She's been litter-trained, and has never missed, never had a problem with it. I clean her litter box every day, and nothing has changed.
I woke up this morning to the sound of her scratching at something, and walked into my bathroom to find a few little...presents...in my tub. I cleaned it up, put them in the toilet, and showed her.
This sounds odd, but she's really, really smart. I can only assume she figured out that the bathroom is where I do my business and she tried to do the same thing.
Does anyone have any experience potty-training cats? Or any ideas?
Thanks!
Honestly, this most likely isn't a potty training question. If you cat is a little over a year old and just suddenly went to the bathroom outside the litter box, then it is most likely a stress related thing, or a health issue.
Has there been any changes to her life at all? Is there a new baby in the house, a new animal, or did someone leave the house recently? Did you move? Did furniture get moved around? It could even be a new animal (most likely cat) around the neighborhood that is stressing her out. If any of this has happened, then it could be that she is stressed.
Or it could be a health issue. One reason that cats stop using their litter box is because of some kind of urinary or bowel issue with their health. She could have a bladder infection, or stones in her bladder. If it hurts to pee, then she could associate it with the litter box, and then she would avoid the litter box, thinking that the litter box had something to do with the pain. Most often, they will choose the bathtub or sink. Does she cry when she uses the box? Have you noticed any blood in her urine? Does she seem to strain? If so then it could be a health issue.
Either way, I would bring her to your veterinarian, or at least call them to see what they think.
You should also feed her canned food. Cat's don't normally drink a lot of water, and this can sometimes make them predisposed to urinary or kidney disease. Feeding them canned food will help them get plenty of water in their system, helping to flush out their kidneys and bladder.
Edit: You asked for advice from someone who has experience with this sort of thing. I do have experience with this sort of thing. I didn't say that you don't know how to care for your cat, I'm just pointing out, since I work in Veterinary Medicine, that there are changes that your cat goes through that owners who aren't in the veterinary field don't notice.
[view]
(Rating: 3)
I asked this question because I wanted advice on potty training her, from people who have had experience doing it, or at least know something about it. This is something I wanted to do regardless, and I took her cue. I wasn't asking if my cat was all right, because I know she is. As I stated, "Nothing has changed." I'm very aware of the appropriate care and raising of cats. If I wasn't, I wouldn't have adopted her in the first place.
I suggest you answer the question next time.
Rating changed by L2 mod. Question wasn't answered but answer was not abusive.It was actually good advice.
|
