I have a 5 month old kitten that will use the litter box 90% of the time but 3 times a week she will pee behind the washing machine less then 3 feet away. She will always poop in the box but pee sometimes behind the washing machine. Could this be stress? I'm a total loss. Please help... any adivse is appreciated.

Have you changed the litter brand in her box recently? Is the litter box near the washing machine? The noise of the machine might stress her. You might also want to take her to the vet to check her blood work to rule out a urinary or kidney infection. I sense she is stressed out by something new or someone new in the household.

God Bless You for caring about this beautiful cat,

Lori

Make sure you scoop daily. Weekly cleaning, pouring out the old litter cleaning with a good detergent then rinising out the pan inside and out with vinegar water. I use about 1/2 cup per gallon of water. Do not use cleaners with bleach or amonia. Also clean where the litter box sits. You may need to provide 2 boxes. If you are not home to scoop when she poops this may solve the problem, I had a cat that did not like to use the litter box after she pooped in it. Also sometimes cats will have a UTI and go in different places or she could be going into heat and this may cause her to go outside the litter box. I hope this helps

She is spayed. I put a small litter box behind the washing machine. Like I already mentioned it's less then 3 feet away from her existing litter box. So he used it 3 times yesterday and then peed on the floor next to it. The box is very small and I wonder if she just missed. Anyway, I got a new kitten ( this was happening before I got her) and she has her food and litter box upstairs. So, this morning my 5 month old Shea sees the 3 month old Lulu use the litter box and does not cover her pee. Shea jumps into Lulu's litter box and covers Lulu's pee and then proceeds to pee in her box. I am wondering if Shea does not like her own litter box? They use the same litter but Shea's box is large with high walls and Lulu's is a normal size with normal walls. I have a feeling I may never figure this out. Anyway, tonight Lulu is moving down stairs. They have been separated for 2 weeks and the are getting along. Lulu's box will be down stairs in the same room as Shea's stuff. The room is large and they will have plenty of room to keep their food and boxes away from each other. I wonder if Shea will use Lulu's box? Stop using her own? Stop going behind the washing machine? I will let you know what happens. Thanks for responding to my e -mail

~ Denise

Hopefully she will get the hang of it. You are going to have an interesting life with 2 kittens. I bet they are beautiful. Let us know how it goes.

Thanks! I will post a message by Sunday night to let you know how they are doing. Wish me luck :)

Denise

When she goes in the litter box give her a treat when she doesn't say "BAD GIRL!"

Ahhh my dear, as someone who has worked with cats for years I have to tell you that cats are like people. Everything you have said and done and every advice people gave you is right. EACH cat has their own preference. You need to find out what that is. Sound like being a mother? It is :) I often say that raising my cats is harder than raising my child. Start in a small area with nothing to distract them. Lets say the bathroom. No loud noise... except the shower but you don't need to take one :) Kidding! You will need to contain your cat in the area so make sure it is large enough because they don't want to be living in their stench. Now, do that for about a week. Then make sure there is a litter box in everyroom of the house. THis is temporary I promise. You are trying to find where they feel comfortable going. Then start with changing litters. Of course clean the litter box EVERY time they go as some cats like a fresh area. Wouldn't you? Clean it once a week with vinegar and hot water. Put in new litter. Now, most cats are very picky with how litters smell or feel on their feeet. Litters have odors/pleasants scents that we like and they don't, could be that. COuld be they like clumping vs not clumping, could be they like the soft kind vs the sandy kind. This will take a LONG time. I recommend going to a pet shop... like Chuck and Dons if you have one that will give you your money back on ones that don't work or actually contacting companies for trial sizes and tell them your problem. This is typically the problem. Also, make sure that your box is low and large enough. Also, some cats like privacy. Try a covered litter box. You also may have a problem of one cat wanting to use the others litter box and the other getting mad. Now, I can't solve that problem. Then I don't know what to do. But watch whose pooing and peeing where. Now, you will also need to make sure you clean up any messes, especially pee right away outside of the box. My recommendation is to put a plastic bag under it... but then the bag may scare them :) IF it does. Use 1 part vinegar and one part baking soda. Make a paste and wash it up with dawn dish soap. Trust me. After spending hundreds of dollars on crappy products this is the only thing that works. It also deteres them from going again. As for stress? I doubt it. Cats are picky. If she is doing it 90% of the time something is wrong. And no, you can't scold a cat. THey are cats. They do whatever they please. It may be that she is just trying/adjusting to the litter. Did you ask what they used before? Or that she is adjusting to another cat... did they have a cat before... or that she is adjusting to you. I know she is little but making sure you know the answers to this question may help. And why is it always behind the washer? Does she feel safe there because your other cat can't see her? Maybe that cat is intimidating her. I mean... she is covering up after she pees. She may be thinking... Leave my pee alone! :) THey need their own box. And NEVER keep their food by the box, Then you will never solve the problem. Good luck. Contact me if you need more help. Really this is a matter of figuring out their preference. Unfortunately there are 2 of them which makes it harder. But it is possible. I promise you will figure it out. Trial and error :)