My cat had a UTI. Why is he sleeping in his new litter box?

Laying in the litter box is not uncommon for a cat that just moved to a new home, many cats tend to do that, they tend to feel "safer" in the box. if he does not seem to have any problem urinating, if he is eating and drinking normally, just give him some time to open up, he will grow out of it.

Great question! This can mean a couple of things. It could be that Lancelot is sick. He could have diarrhea, stomach upset, may be in pain, have feline idiopathic cystitis, or bladder stones. He could be feeling so badly that it's not worth him getting out of the box only to have to return again. There are other reasons, such as feeling territorial and wanting to keep other cats from using it, but it's very important to rule out a medical cause first. He should see a vet for a check up, and I do recommend getting blood work and a urinalysis done. If he does have a medical reason for this behavior, the vet can diagnose it and discuss treatment options If he's healthy, the vet can discuss behavioral causes and treatment for that. I'd take him into the vet in the morning. I hope this helps!

It may be something frightened him in the new location and he is looking for a safer option. I recommend having a second litter tray in the room he prefers as a back up. Trays should be in a quiet, undisturbed location, not near noisy or unpredictable things such as washing machines. A calming supplement can help also and it is important to encourage frequent, stress free urination by facilitating his preferred options to reduce the risk of urinary tract inflammation and irritation

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

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.

I am so sorry you are having to deal with this. Cats have weird brains, and often after a traumatic time trying to urinate, they start to think it is the litter box's fault and decide to pee elsewhere. First, you need to clean all urine with an enzymatic pet cleaner - this will break down the pheromones that you can't smell but he can. Second, even though he is cleared of the UTI, it is still possible that his bladder is inflamed. This syndrome in cats goes by many different names, including FLUTD or FIC. There are many different things you can try to help him out, including environmental enrichment, calming supplements, changing the litter and/or box to a completely different type, prescription anti-anxiety medications or anti-inflammatories. I will include a bunch of information for you to look at below. If you still have more questions, please post another on PetCoach, or choose a consultation to discuss this further in a one-on-one conversation with an Expert. Inappropriate Urination: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=633 Supplements for stress:
Zylkene and Comfort Zone Feliway Diffuser Special Diet: Hill's® Prescription Diet® c/d® Multicare Feline Stress Environmental Enrichment: https://indoorpet.osu.edu//cats FIC/FLUTD: https://icatcare.org/advice/cat-health/feline-idiopathic-cystitis-fic http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=612 Litter Box Care:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=3638

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Blackie. Urinary tract infections are not all that common in cats. I recommend that she has a urine culture performed to ensure there is an infection present and the correct antibiotic is prescribed. If there is not an infection or if it has resolved, then she should have x-rays to look for bladder stones. If this is not the case, idiopathic cystitis is very common in cats. This may be her problem. I hope this information helps!