Hello John,

We have a three-year-old grey tabby (who has not been fixed) and she has quit using the litter box and has been doing her “business” in different areas in the house, consistently in the same areas. Initially, she had her own box in the laundry room, which did not change, it is still there and not being used by her.

Changes in the household in the recent months are as follows: we have had a new female kitten, (orange tabby), since late October 2007. The older cat didn’t take to her at first, but then after a few days started mothering her. However, they do have their moments, the younger one likes to be the aggressive one and will chase her and tackle her. The older one will hiss at her and take off. Because of the kitten we now have about four litter boxes throughout the house.

At the beginning of the year, a friend and her daughter moved in with us. During this time the older tabby went into heat many times and would meow at the bedroom door whenever our friend was home. We thought she was just spraying initially, then we discovered the “poo.” The friend moved out at the beginning of June — but the behaviour still continues. We make sure the boxes are cleaned on a regular basis and replaced with fresh litter. I have never kept to one specific brand. I buy what is inexpensive, and I don’t like the clumping litter. How do I go about retraining a three- year-old cat?

Thanks.

Pat O.

Dear Pat,

If Bob Barker were dead he’d be rolling over in his grave. As it is, if he gets wind of this you’ll probably put him in one.

In answer to your question, in this case you go about retraining a three- year-old cat by retraining its owner. Spay the cat! You’re not doing her any favours putting her through those heats and oh, please don’t be telling me, or any shelter on the planet charged with finding homes or killing the surplus cat population, that you’re breeding her or we’re all going to come over and pee on your carpets. Over 70 per cent of cats brought into North American shelters are killed. That’s millions of cats and that’s scary.

The four main reasons a cat stops using a litter box are: a significant (at least to them) change in household routine; a health problem; another cat trespassing, and litter box odour. You’ve got a couple of possibilities. The new cat, I suppose, but things seem to be going alright there. The friend moving in and also out may have done it, and the hormonal surge of a heat sure isn’t going to help. I’d bet on the latter but it might be a combination of all.

Make an appointment with your vet for a blood panel to see if there’s something awry in your cat’s health. I’m assuming the additional litter boxes were new to start off with but just to be safe I’d throw them out and start fresh. As to litter, whether you like or dislike one litter over another doesn’t make a lot of difference unless you’re planning on squatting beside your cat. Find what works for your cat and stick with it.

Cats are like old men. They don’t like change. Unless it’s Bob Barker and the change is that you spay your cat. Territory is worth taking a look at. Look for signs of another cat on your property. This drives a lot of cats batty.

Sorry I can’t be more helpful, you have so much going on it’s hard to know where to start.

Chat with your vet and start with spaying and write back.

Johnwade@johwade.ca

www.johnwade.ca