Kitten Peeing next to the litter box

Cindley · 09-04-2010, 08:20 AM

Our 4 month old Sophie has gotten into the habbit of peeing right next to the litter box instead of in it. She only seems to do this when we are near any of the litter boxes, we have 4 for 2 cats (mostly while we are cleaning one). I have not found any other pee spots where she has done this when we were not near by. She did this again this morning with my husband standing right next to one of the boxes. We are using the same litter the previous owner used and did not get the kittens till they were over 3 months old so they should be good and socialized. They have had a URI but yesterday was their last dose of antibiotic and she did it again this morning. Our other cat Max, who we got at the same time, originally showed her where the boxes were. He is also about a month older than Sophie, different litter same dad. When we have caught her doing this we have picked her up and set her in the litter box and immediately cleaned it with scent remover. We also have a mat around the litter box that normally she sits right off of to do this. When we are not near one of the boxes (again we have 4 in multiple places) she goes in the litter box just fine. Any ideas?

Susan · 09-04-2010, 09:55 AM

Well, the fact that she only does this when someone is nearby is curious. I can’t help you with why this might be happening, and no doubt others will come along who know more on this topic than I do. All I can suggest is that you relocate the boxes to places where you’re not likely to be very often, and see if that helps. If you’re at a loss to find four such places, then you could reduce the number of litter boxes. The rule of thumb is one per cat plus one, so three in your case…although many people do fine with only two boxes for two cats, provided they’re large enough and you’re able to scoop several times a day.

Cindley · 09-04-2010, 11:48 AM

If it helps, we are scooping them twice a day. It is the feline pine litter and the only time we go near the boxes is to scoop them/clean them out. Three of them are in differnt corners of the same room (where we set up the safe room when we brought them home), the other one is down the hall on the opposite end of the house. We may try tonight getting rid of one of them in the first room so have 2 in there and the 3rd down the hall, but I am afraid if we do this it will only get worse. She has gone in all 4 of them at one time or another. We did an extra to try a differnt kind of litter box to see if they might like it better. They did not seem to care though and used all of them about the same. The two closest to each other they like to poop in and the other 2 has been mostly pee. The one she is peeed next to this morning is one of the 2 they normaly poop in. The first time she did this there were only the 3 boxes in the safe room (which is completly open to the house now no chance of it getting closed off) and she peeed next to the one they normaly peeed in. Hubby took them to the vet this morning for a booster and their health checks out fine other than a yeast infection in their ears. Max when we scoop them will hop into the one we are trying to scoop and do his business wither it is his normal time or not.

Cat Person · 09-04-2010, 02:17 PM

Hi Cindley,

I have some information that will hopefully help you. But first I have a few questions for you. Hope you do not mind answering a few questions.

First have you taken the kitten to the veterinarian? If not that is the first step. If you have taken the cat to a veterinarian what did they tell you?

Also what type/brand of litter do you use? Next what type of litter box do you use? Where are all your litter boxes located?

Okay my suggestion for you "teaching" the kitten to use the litter box again is you get a dog crate. Then in that dog crate you put news paper, a litter box and food and water dishes.

Now you keep the kitten in there when he can not be supervised. The reason for this is in such a confined area the kitten will have to use the litter box. Hence he will "learn" to use the litter box again.

After the kitten has been loose a few hours put him into the crate to use the litter box. Keep him in the crate for about 15 to 20 minutes after running around and playing.

After a few months him using the litter box in the dog crate. You can just keep the litter where the dog crate was.

Hope this helps. If you need any clarification let me know.

**marie73** · 09-04-2010, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat Person

Hope you do not mind answering a few questions. First have you taken the kitten to the veterinarian?

Quote:

They have had a URI but yesterday was their last dose of antibiotic and she did it again this morning.

Helps to read the entire original post.

Heidi n Q · 09-04-2010, 09:15 PM

Things that popped into my head regarding a kitt who 'misses' the litterbox only when people are present:
1. The kitt has something wrong (UTI. Kitten could have a urinary tract issue. A vet visit to perform a urinalysis can rule this out.) and this is the only way to say so.
2. The kitt feels 'threatened' (trapped) and won't go *in* the litterbox if someone is standing too near.
3. The kitt is still just a baby and occasionally misses the litterbox in the excitement of playing w/ family members and only manages to 'get close' to the potty-target.

Cat Person · 09-04-2010, 11:07 PM

Hi Marie,

No disrespect or anything but as my intro states I have worked with the public for years in no kill shelters and stuff like that. I have spoken to many people who "self diagnosed" URI, cancer, and any myriad of diseases without taking there animal to the veterinarian. So that is why I asked if this particular cat was taken to the veterinarian.

Also as you know you can get certain antibiotics without taking the animal to a veterinarian.

I am not condoning either of the above scenario's or saying the person did any of the above scenario's. But just pointing out that it is very possible from my experience that the person could have posted the above information without seeing a licensed veterinarian.

Lastly I am a licensed veterinarian technician so I can read

.

Hi Heidi n Q,

I just want to say your three ideas for why this particular kitten is not using the litter box sound very possible.

**marie73** · 09-04-2010, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat Person

Hi Marie,

No disrespect or anything but as my intro states I have worked with the public for years in no kill shelters and stuff like that.

Yeah. You mention that. A lot. Doesn't make you any more qualified than other members here to give advice.

The OP had mentioned in another thread that she'd taken her cats to the vet. I always figure when someone mentions antibiotics, they've been to a vet. You seem to assume they're self-treating.

Jeanie · 09-05-2010, 12:02 AM

Cindly posted:

Quote:

Hubby took them to the vet this morning.

Sometimes we scan a bit too quickly.

catloverami · 09-05-2010, 01:19 AM

cindley, I haven't used it but have read other posters that have had good success with Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract litter when there's a problem of not using the litter tray. Maybe worth a try?

Another thought is some kittens prefer a litter tray that has only about 3in. sides.

09-04-2010, 08:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
Cindley Jr. Cat Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 33	Kitten Peeing next to the litter box Our 4 month old Sophie has gotten into the habbit of peeing right next to the litter box instead of in it. She only seems to do this when we are near any of the litter boxes, we have 4 for 2 cats (mostly while we are cleaning one). I have not found any other pee spots where she has done this when we were not near by. She did this again this morning with my husband standing right next to one of the boxes. We are using the same litter the previous owner used and did not get the kittens till they were over 3 months old so they should be good and socialized. They have had a URI but yesterday was their last dose of antibiotic and she did it again this morning. Our other cat Max, who we got at the same time, originally showed her where the boxes were. He is also about a month older than Sophie, different litter same dad. When we have caught her doing this we have picked her up and set her in the litter box and immediately cleaned it with scent remover. We also have a mat around the litter box that normally she sits right off of to do this. When we are not near one of the boxes (again we have 4 in multiple places) she goes in the litter box just fine. Any ideas?

09-04-2010, 09:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
Susan Premier Cat Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,627	Well, the fact that she only does this when someone is nearby is curious. I can’t help you with why this might be happening, and no doubt others will come along who know more on this topic than I do. All I can suggest is that you relocate the boxes to places where you’re not likely to be very often, and see if that helps. If you’re at a loss to find four such places, then you could reduce the number of litter boxes. The rule of thumb is one per cat plus one, so three in your case…although many people do fine with only two boxes for two cats, provided they’re large enough and you’re able to scoop several times a day. __________________ Dogs have owners. Cats have staff.

09-04-2010, 09:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
Heidi n Q Premier Cat Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Monroe, GA Posts: 17,101	Things that popped into my head regarding a kitt who 'misses' the litterbox only when people are present: 1. The kitt has something wrong (UTI. Kitten could have a urinary tract issue. A vet visit to perform a urinalysis can rule this out.) and this is the only way to say so. 2. The kitt feels 'threatened' (trapped) and won't go in the litterbox if someone is standing too near. 3. The kitt is still just a baby and occasionally misses the litterbox in the excitement of playing w/ family members and only manages to 'get close' to the potty-target. __________________ Spay it forward. (neuter, too!) I have the ability of single-minded determination and focu... Hey look, a cat! =^..^= Last edited by marie73; 09-04-2010 at 09:50 PM.

09-04-2010, 11:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
Cindley Jr. Cat Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 33	If it helps, we are scooping them twice a day. It is the feline pine litter and the only time we go near the boxes is to scoop them/clean them out. Three of them are in differnt corners of the same room (where we set up the safe room when we brought them home), the other one is down the hall on the opposite end of the house. We may try tonight getting rid of one of them in the first room so have 2 in there and the 3rd down the hall, but I am afraid if we do this it will only get worse. She has gone in all 4 of them at one time or another. We did an extra to try a differnt kind of litter box to see if they might like it better. They did not seem to care though and used all of them about the same. The two closest to each other they like to poop in and the other 2 has been mostly pee. The one she is peeed next to this morning is one of the 2 they normaly poop in. The first time she did this there were only the 3 boxes in the safe room (which is completly open to the house now no chance of it getting closed off) and she peeed next to the one they normaly peeed in. Hubby took them to the vet this morning for a booster and their health checks out fine other than a yeast infection in their ears. Max when we scoop them will hop into the one we are trying to scoop and do his business wither it is his normal time or not.

09-04-2010, 02:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
Cat Person Banned Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 24	Hi Cindley, I have some information that will hopefully help you. But first I have a few questions for you. Hope you do not mind answering a few questions. First have you taken the kitten to the veterinarian? If not that is the first step. If you have taken the cat to a veterinarian what did they tell you? Also what type/brand of litter do you use? Next what type of litter box do you use? Where are all your litter boxes located? Okay my suggestion for you "teaching" the kitten to use the litter box again is you get a dog crate. Then in that dog crate you put news paper, a litter box and food and water dishes. Now you keep the kitten in there when he can not be supervised. The reason for this is in such a confined area the kitten will have to use the litter box. Hence he will "learn" to use the litter box again. After the kitten has been loose a few hours put him into the crate to use the litter box. Keep him in the crate for about 15 to 20 minutes after running around and playing. After a few months him using the litter box in the dog crate. You can just keep the litter where the dog crate was. Hope this helps. If you need any clarification let me know.

09-04-2010, 11:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
Cat Person Banned Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 24	Hi Marie, No disrespect or anything but as my intro states I have worked with the public for years in no kill shelters and stuff like that. I have spoken to many people who "self diagnosed" URI, cancer, and any myriad of diseases without taking there animal to the veterinarian. So that is why I asked if this particular cat was taken to the veterinarian. Also as you know you can get certain antibiotics without taking the animal to a veterinarian. I am not condoning either of the above scenario's or saying the person did any of the above scenario's. But just pointing out that it is very possible from my experience that the person could have posted the above information without seeing a licensed veterinarian. Lastly I am a licensed veterinarian technician so I can read . Hi Heidi n Q, I just want to say your three ideas for why this particular kitten is not using the litter box sound very possible.

09-05-2010, 01:19 AM	#10 (permalink)
catloverami Cat Addict Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Toronto area, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,374	cindley, I haven't used it but have read other posters that have had good success with Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract litter when there's a problem of not using the litter tray. Maybe worth a try? Another thought is some kittens prefer a litter tray that has only about 3in. sides.

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