My cat holds her pee until I'm home. Why won't she use the litter box?

Thanks for more information on Frejya! It could be that there are too many cats using two litter boxes. It's recommended that each cat has their own litter box, plus one; therefore, if you have five cats, you should have six boxes. You are doing exactly right by scooping them every day and fully cleaning them once a week. I would try setting up at least two different litter boxes in separate areas of your home to see if that helps the problem. She may just want to use a box that isn't used to every other cat in the home. Cats can be extremely finicky about litter boxes, and will often refuse to use a box if too many cats are also using it. Try this first to see if that helps with her eliminating outside the box. If it doesn't, then I would take her into the vet for an exam to see if there is a medical cause behind this behavior.

I love that you have already switched to the unscented litter as that can be a big problem for many cats. Putting the litter box in the shower is a great idea. I would also make sure to clean up the spots he went outside the litterbox using an enzymatic pet stain cleaner to ensure he does not keep smelling urine/feces there and think that it is akin to a litterbox. Other things, like cleaning the litter box often, having multiple litterboxes which are different types of boxes, and trying different types of litter (such as fine-grain litter) may also help you figure out what type of litter Mittens likes. While it certainly sounds like Mittens is having trouble getting used to his new litterbox, it is important to remember that internal diseases (like organ, hormonal, or orthopedic diseases, among other possible causes) can cause Mittens to have a hard time making it into the litterbox so it is important to take Mittens to your vet for evaluation to make sure we are not missing something else that is making it hard for Mittens to make it to the litterbox. I have attached a link to an article with more great suggestions below. Good luck! https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-train-your-cat-to-use-a-litter-box/

I am sorry to hear about your kitty. It is possible he has a negative association with the litterbox after his blockage. I assume you mean he is urinating outside his box when you say he isn't using it- if he is not urinating at all then he needs to return to the vet right away. I would consider getting several new boxes, the larger the better (a box 1.5 times the length of the cat is recommended, often rubbermaid type sweater boxes are used in these cases). I would recommend getting a Feliway diffuser https://www.feliway.com/us#redirected which can have a calming effect and consider a calming supplement such as Zylkene or Composure, and discuss with your vet whether or not any other medications may be needed, such as pain medication or anti-anxiety medication depending on your cat's history. You can read more at https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951508

Cats will urinate outside of the box for two main reasons, medical or behavioral. I recommend to have a Lucky examined by her veterinarian for any signs of a urinary tract infection, crystals in the urine or other causes of pain. If it is deemed to be behavioral, it could be related to stress or something about the litter box that she does not like. Make sure to keep the box in a quiet, private location and to clean it daily. Cats prefer large uncovered litter boxes with a clay-based clumping litter. A Feliway diffuser can also help. There are other things that can be done but start with a visit to the veterinarian. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

I know this is not ideal. If you are able to place a litter box up there I would. That way she is still urinating in a litter box at least. When you do have more room, I would create a space just for her. Put 2 litter boxes out for her, give her a place to look outside, places to hide and climb on also. I don't know if your veterinarian performed a urinalysis. If they did then I would think about doing a urine culture. A urinary tract infection does not always show up on blood work and a urine culture will give you an answer. Has your veterinarian prescribed behavioral medication? This may be a good idea for Nyx also.It can take a few weeks for it to fully work but it is something I would think about. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Some cats may climb into the box but still "miss" it by sticking their bottoms over the side when they go. Using sides or a lid on the box may help solve this if that is the case. Some cats also do not like stepping in certain types of litter, so changing to a softer litter or scooping it more often may also help. Enzymatic cleaners can also be used to remove any urine stains/odor and discourage going in that spot again.

There can be a couple of reasons why Tiger will not use the litter box. There may not be enough litter boxes in the home. You should have one litter box for each cat, plus one extra. Cats like a very clean box, and the litter should be scooped every day with the litter itself being changed once a week. If the box isn't clean enough for him, he won't use it. Cats can also be very picky about the type of litter used. If you changed litter recently, he may not like it and won't want to use it. Don't use scented litters, cats typically don't like the scent and will not use the box if it smells funny to them. I would use an unscented litter only. The litter box itself may be a problem. It could be too small for him to turn around in, or if it has a cover, he may not like using the box under a cover. Conversely, if it doesn't have a cover, he may not like going to the bathroom in the open. Cats also won't use a litter box that is too close to their food and water sources, so if the litter box is close to those, he won't use it. Finally, there could be a medical issue behind him not using the litter box, such as feline idiopathic cystitis or bladder stones. If none of the above scenarios apply to Tiger, I would take him into your vet for a health check to see if there is a medical cause behind him refusing to use the litter box. I hope this helps!