Cat suddenly stoped using litter box.

[Callie Stick]

I have a kitten that is just around a year old. She has been using the litter box from the day I got her when she was really tiny, now suddenly I am finding random messes around the house. Her litter box is clean, it was not moved, I live in an apartment so its not far away from any room, I just dont know why she would do this! :wall: I will note she is not spayed, she will be soon though. BUT she is not currently in heat and it wasn't a 'spray' it was straight up a puddle of wee. I am in school full time and work full time and really dont have the money or resources to do a whole lot. My apartment manager has been letting me get away without paying a pet deposit because I keep everything incredibly clean but if they come in for a inspection and the place smells of cat pee it would not be good at all.
So please any suggestions are welcome and needed.

 

[Mina]

Any time a cat who has been using a litter box suddenly stops it means there is a problem. Take her to the vet, she probably had some kind of bladder or urinary tract infection.

 

[Teal]

I agree.. definitely look into the possibility of a UTI.

Is she a manx by any chance?

And don't get her spayed until it's sorted out! Spaying could possibly make it worse, depending on what the problem is.

 

[Rick & Brandy]

Yes it could be a UTI. But have you changed the kind of litter?

 

[8by8]

Cat's are very picky. If they dont like the litter they have to stand on, or if it is not clean enough they wont use the box. UTI is a good possibility, but does she get enough love? One of my cats will get depressed if he feels left out and will go in the bath tub, so he gets 5 minutes of personal time every day. Worked for me.

 

[Callie Stick]

Is she a manx by any chance?

Nope she is a mixed breed house cat.

, but does she get enough love? One of my cats will get depressed if he feels left out and will go in the bath tub, so he gets 5 minutes of personal time every day. Worked for me.

She gets attention but really is not a loving cat by any means, she just hangs around everyone but doesnt seem to enjoy being petted at all. :?

-the brand of her litter has stayed the same, litter box is the same, and its clean.

 

[Shell]

I agree that she definately needs to go to the vet. It could be a UTI or it could be urinary crytals (more common in males then females but it does happen in females also.)

That being said cats are very finicky creatures. If one tiny thing has changed in the apartment she could be stressed, cats will take out their stress by not using the litter box. It may be something very random that wouldn't immediately come to mind that is causing her stress.

Take her to the vet as soon as you can, they will either diagnose or rule out any urinary issues. If her tests come back clean they will be able to advise you on how to deal with behavioural urinary issues.

 

[pitbulllady]

I will just reiterate what the others have said. If a cat suddenly stops using the litter box, there is a problem, usually a health-related one. Cats are very prone to urinary infections, so a trip to the vet is advised. Certain cat foods, especially the cheaper discount brands, have high levels of manganese and potash that can actually contribute to the formation of urinary crystals, so that is something to look at as well. Also, if there is a change in the cat's environment or routine that the cat doesn't like, cats will often express their displeasure by refusing to use the litter box. It can be something as simply as YOUR schedule changing, so that you're either around more than usual or absent more than usual. BUT, the first and most likely cause is health-related, so have her checked out by a vet.

pitbulllady

 

[Callie Stick]

Okay thank you, Ill try to get her to the vet asap

 

[cacoseraph]

urinary crytals (more common in males then females but it does happen in females also.)

my fixed male started not using the box when he got ^^

 

[Shell]

my fixed male started not using the box when he got ^^

Yep, that's usually the case with crystals. Although, I have seen females get them also over the years.

 

[LeilaNami]

My kitty had a UTI as well. The vet said it was fine to go ahead and spay her at the same time they did a UTI check since she would be on antibiotics anyway. If you do get her spayed, treat the UTI at the same time or before the spay.

 

[Shell]

Just curious Callie, for an update on your kitty Hope all is ok.