Toilet issues, help urgently needed!

[KazNik]

Dear all,
Thank you for your comments and advices. What I took from it is that I am going to change the litter boxes to new ones, maybe we can associate new happy feelings with different shaped boxes and I am going to buy a third one as well. Do you think it's okay if I place it in the bathroom like the other ones but in a different corner ( our bathroom is quite big) or shall I put it in different room? I think the litter we are using is the best one so far natural pine no chemicals added and it deals with the odour effectively. I am also going to buy the litter attractor and a special cleaning product for Nikita's accidents.
Brigitte; thank you for your help and the coach recommendation. I just want to put things straight, I don't beat my cats when they miss behave. I take them by the skin at the back of their neck and raise my voice. They are not used to this kind of behaviour from me and they really dislike when I do it and understand it as a punishment.

Thanks again and I will update you on our progress

 

[John Popp]

if there is line of site from one litter box to the next, they aren't far enough away from one another. Somebody won't feel secure, and that's what the aim is to provide some security when they are relieving themselves.

I never had success with pine litter when I dealt with our furry problem child. The others weren't fond of it either. I moved to Dr Elsey's Cat Attract litter and that definitely seems to keep them all happy.

There isn't any type of reprimand that's going to help you through this. It's all positive reinforcement and patience. It's tough because unearthing the mojo to make things work can be filled with frustration and for our Kebu there were occasions that he would relieve himself right next to the litter box. For a time whenever Trish would fill up the bath tub I was sure his remaining moments were going to be few.

In the end, Kebu would not use a standard size litter box soiled by another cat. He won't go number 1 and number 2 in the same place. His choice for defecating was the most secluded litter box in our home and I'm sure that is because it's when he feels most vulnerable. Nature's Nightmare purchased from the local pet store did not do the trick for cleaning up the accidents no matter how thorough and only Anti Icky Poo would remove something as a repeat target.

So stay strong and know that you will unearth the root cause. Perhaps you never figure it out, but at least you will have the behavior corrected. Also make sure they are getting lots of attention beyond your other cats and know they are secure in your affection. Might be tough when you want to choke them, but in the end it will keep your household a lot happier.

 

[SV Dad]

I like the line of sight idea John presented. I have a minor issue like this currently, and it is impossible for Mayhem to guard them all at once.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Dear all,
Thank you for your comments and advices. What I took from it is that I am going to change the litter boxes to new ones, maybe we can associate new happy feelings with different shaped boxes and I am going to buy a third one as well. Do you think it's okay if I place it in the bathroom like the other ones but in a different corner ( our bathroom is quite big) or shall I put it in different room? I think the litter we are using is the best one so far natural pine no chemicals added and it deals with the odour effectively. I am also going to buy the litter attractor and a special cleaning product for Nikita's accidents.
Brigitte; thank you for your help and the coach recommendation. I just want to put things straight, I don't beat my cats when they miss behave. I take them by the skin at the back of their neck and raise my voice. They are not used to this kind of behaviour from me and they really dislike when I do it and understand it as a punishment.

Thanks again and I will update you on our progress

I think the third box needs to be in a completely different location. I understand it is often not convenient in a house to do that, but it's worse if they are not using those boxes!

Thank you for clarifying the "punishment" but still I think it inappropriate here... and detrimental as if the cat does not make that connection all they think is that mommy gets mad with them randomly for no apparent reason...

One thing we need to accept with our cats is that the choice we make (for example that you think the pine litter is the best choice) may not be the one they think best... I would consider trying another litter in one of the boxes just to see if it helps. It's about getting kitty to be consistent with the litterbox and THEN you can work on changing slowly back to the litter you prefer. I love pine pellet litter, and I am fortunate that my cats will all happily use it, but I also know of another household where the British Shorthair completely refuses to use it and to prevent poops on the couch etc they have to use crystal litter in half the boxes to accomodate his preference. It's like sharing a house with a roommate, we have to compromise to make it work

 

[shelby]

This may sound silly, but...is thee a chance the previous owners maybe had someone that might miss the toilet themselves. If so the floor may have a smell that the cat is picking up on...even though you aren't? I would use a good enzyme odor remover on the floor...especially around the commode and keep rugs , towels and anything else off the floor for a bit. It could be that the past owners had a pet that might have gone potty on the bathroom floor? I know you clean the floors, but some scents are not easily eliminated with most cleaners.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Shelby has a good point, cats are so much more sensitive in smell than we are...