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I have a 9 year old American Shorthair male cat who has recently decided his litter box is evil. Last week he had been deficating outisde the box, but is still using it to urinate.

I have added some 99% dust free litter to his cirrent mix and it seemed to help for a few days. As well his stool frequency has dropped. I did not see any for two days although he was still eating so I doubled his water stations and started adding some wet food to his diet as it has gotten warmer in the house recently and I wanted to make sure he is not dehydrated or constipated.

He has improved some but is very finicky about the wet food. There have been no incidents for about 4 days of dialy movements and then no feces in the last 36 hours until today when he went outside the box again. I can't tell if his paws ar tender as he has never liked people touching them.

He isn't declawed and is very violent when he goes to the vet so I try everything else first. Any additional advice is appreciated

Submitted: 127 days and 8 hours ago.

Category: Cat

Value: $15

Status: CLOSED

Pet's Sex: Male
Pet's Age: 9

Already Tried:
more water stations
addition of wet food
alterations to litter

no other notable behavior changes in the cats routine

Posted by Terri Riba 127 days and 8 hours ago.

Info Request

Hi there, What does he usually eat? Are you saying he prefers dry food to canned? Thanks, Terri

127 days and 8 hours ago.

Reply

He has been eating Science Diet Senior dry food for about a year. Before that Iams dry. I have been adding small amounts of Nutro Natural Choice Comlete Care Senior to try somehting with more fiber. I have been trying different holistic wet foods to avoid additional grains and increase moisture. The weather has turned hot recently and he may be sleeping in areas fo the house that can get to 80deg during the day.

I would not say he prefers dry, but he is not accustomed to eating wet food. I just gave him some Chicken pate by Wellness that he seemed to like. It seems to be a texture issue as he will not eat chunk, flaked, or sliced food.

I just checked the litter again and he has pooped twice in the last 4 hours one was harder, dry and on the couch, the 2nd was more moist but solid and in the litter. I guess if he was constipated, he's not anymore.

Thanks for the quick response!
Doug

Edited by XXXXXXXX on 7/18/2009 at 7:39 PM

Accepted Answer

Dear Doug,

I am sorry you are haing trouble with your boy. I am not a fan of science diet. Some vets push it because they selll it but it contains the samecorn and gluten as cheap supermarket foods.

I prefer canned for cats, especially males:
PLEASE READ:

http://www.catinfo.org/

http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/catformulas/allergy.html

These brands below, are well-recommended and contain nothing artificial, plus, contain meat as the first, or within the first three ingredients:

Wellness (http://www.oldmotherhubbard.com/

Felidae (http://www.canidae.com/

Innova (http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=inn-home

Newman's Own Organics (http://www.newmansownorganics.com/pet/home/

Natural Balance (http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/catformulas/NB_CatCanned.html

It is very possible he is not feeling well and is trying to get your attention.If he is not neutered the could be marking.
Whenever a formerly clean kitty begins to soil out of box, he is usually trying to communicate some sort of pain or distress to his human "mom" or "Dad"
Cats may not seem unwell because it is their nature to hide an illness as long as possible but if the urine or stool is abnormal in any way - that will be your first clue. If his appetite is different that is an indication as well.
Your cat may have a urinary tract infection.That can become serious in males.
UTI's must be treated with an effective broad spectrum antibiotic like Clavamox or clidimycin and for a long enough duration so all bacteria is eradicated. If not, they will refluorish, stronger and more resistant and reinfect him. In addition, the bacteria can become tolerant of the same anibiotic so the medication should be varied for best results.
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/cystitis.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/32507/feline_cystitis_symptoms_and_its_treatments.html
Anything new is very stressful to a cat because kitty's HATE change and stress can lead to illness so you want to watch for any developing symptoms.
Give him a teaspoon of plain yogurt every day. That will keep "good" bacteria in his colon.
He can also have one drop of unsweetened cranberry juice every day to lower the PH of his stool and urine.
If this continues or gets worse he should be checked.He is not just doing this to annoy you or because he got mad as cats do not think like that - he may not feel well and is trying to let you know about it.Or he is confused..
Sometimes cats become "picky" about the condition of their box and do not want to share or use the same one for both things..Try adding an additional one and see if that helps.
Also try cat attract litter sold in pet supply stores. Clean any soiled areas with an enzyme product so he can no longer smell it.Bleach will not fool a cats nose one bit.
He may be marking in a desperate attempt to reattain his head cat status or he may just be intimidated or sick.
Spray with feliway http://www.catfaeries.com/ to fool him into thinking items are already marked. Try rescue remedy sold in pet supplies and is rubbed on the gums.
Clean with an enzyme product like zero odor or odor mute because regular detergents will not fool him either.
Please let me know how he is doing. if you still have questions, I will always be here for you.
I hope he stops real soon and he feels better!
Very sincerely,
Terri

Accepts:
Expert:	Terri Riba
Pos. Feedback:	99.9 %
Answered:	7/18/2009

Feline Healthcare Expert

Expert in feline health and behavior. 20 years experience with cats.

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Optional Information

Pet's Sex: Male
Pet's Age: 9

Already Tried:
more water stations
addition of wet food
alterations to litter

no other notable behavior changes in the cats routine

Info Request

<p>Hi there,</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>What does he usually eat?</p><p> </p><p>Are you saying he prefers dry food to canned?</p><p> </p><p>Thanks,</p><p> </p><p>Terri</p>

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Pet's Sex: MalePet's Age: 9 Already Tried: more water stations addition of wet food alterations to litter no other notable behavior changes in the cats routine

Info Request

<p>Hi there,</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>What does he usually eat?</p><p> </p><p>Are you saying he prefers dry food to canned?</p><p> </p><p>Thanks,</p><p> </p><p>Terri</p>

Reply

Accepted Answer

Related Cat Questions

Pet's Sex: Male
Pet's Age: 9

Already Tried:
more water stations
addition of wet food
alterations to litter

no other notable behavior changes in the cats routine