1. Rhonda - 6:23AM on 04/14/08

Help. I have three cats and finding a litter that all three like is a problem. It seems they will like one for a while and then take a dislike to it. I am always trying to find one they like. I stay with the scoopable type and keep them clean, but I think they like playing this game with me. Any suggestions.

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2. KayKay - 7:53AM on 04/14/08

to rhonda, i am sorry i don't have any suggestions to help you but i too have a problem with one of my cats using the litter box. she will only use the littler box for a few days then won't use it even though i clean the box at least three times a day. i have tried a number of different types of kitty litter but the same thing happens. i have even talked to my vet about this and there is no medical problem with my cat. i have three litter boxes for my two cats. my other cat however, always uses the litter box no matter what. he could care less what kind of litter i use. any ideas on what to do .

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3. lasterner - 8:30AM on 04/14/08

To Rhonda, I have 5 indoor cats. Only one of them has a problem with the litter boxes (I have 3 boxes). He has no problem for awhile with the boxes, even though I too keep them scooped out. I use the same litter in every box. Every so often I completely dump the boxes and wash them good with a toliet brush and pine sol, rinse them very well, dry them with paper towels, and then put new litter in them. This one cat has no problem using the boxes when I do this. He only has the problem if I go too long without doing this. I decide to dump and scrub them by watching his reaction to the boxes when he gets in them. Even though I keep them scooped out, they still get "stinky" and this is when he doesn`t like to use them.

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4. OrangeTabbyLover - 9:12AM on 04/14/08

Hi Pam: My spouse and I are in the process of "bringing inside" a feral Orange Tabby and we've had great success over the past year or so getting him to "play nice" with the two of us, eat his meals inside, come inside to visit, etc. Progress was slow at first, but now he comes in more and more often. Can't say he has any love for his carrier, but we've "gritted our teeth" and brought him to the vet several times for all of his shots, full check up and even a teeth cleaning. The hardest part of all was the litter box, which was really important b/c we wanted him to sleep indoors every night (we live in an area of CA with many coyotes, bobcats, and other predators). But, he just wouldn't use it, no matter what kind of litter we tried. Then I thought ... maybe it's not just the type of litter but the size the size of the box too. After all, he's used to going in the great outdoors, which is a pretty big litter box!!! So, I ended up going to a local hardware store and buying what masons call a "mortar pan" or "mortar box," basically a little wider and several inches longer than what you can usually find in any pet store. I brought it home and cleaned it very well. That, plus the "Cat Attract" litter that you recommended, did the trick! Now, our Orange Tabby sleeps inside every night and uses his box with fail. Sometimes, during the day, he'll even come in from outdoors just to use his box and then go back outside! We're in the process of slowly mixing in "Precious Cat Ultra" (from the same manufacturer, but without the herbs and less expensive, but with the same texture and other properties) with the "Cat Attract," and our kitty seems fine with it. Thanks for all your help! Our last step, if possible, is to make him a full-time indoor cat, but I just don't know if that's going to be possible ... he's so used to having time outside from his younger days, that I sometimes doubt we'll be able to keep him inside permanently (or, even if it's the right thing to do). Do you have any words of wisdom on that topic? Thanks again.

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5. Anne E - 9:29AM on 04/14/08

Past pet store owner and have shared my life with many companions. I use two litter boxes and alternate them. The "down" box" is emptied, rinsed, placed in the bath tub and filled with clean water and 1/4 cup of "scented bleach. Let "work" for about an hour. empty carefully and rinse well. Let air dry and "cure for at least 24 hours to allow the bleach in the pores of the plastic to oxidize. Litter box is now ready for the next change over!

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6. tgsavage - 9:52AM on 04/14/08

I have 4 cats. In the past, one didn't want to use the litter. I've been very successfull following the following process. 1. Have 1 box for each cat in the house. 2. place them in different areas of the house. 3. Choose different non-scent litters. Eventually, focus on the litter(s) they like. 4. Try sand in one box...mine love sand. I scoop them all daily and wash out every other week with a non-scent detergent. I throw out litter after 1 month. If you have 1 cat that doesn't like the litter box, try more than one box in different areas of the hosue. And I have various sizes of boxes...the size from the pet store, and a big size from big plastic storage containers I got at a Kmart-type store. After I following my process above, I haven't had any issues.

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7. cavalialver@att.net - 10:06AM on 04/14/08

My kitty will set in front of her litter box and look in it. It is clean and she does this every now and then. No medical problems. Just wondering why? She is very spoiled. Same litter i have always used with her. ( Scoop Away) Thanks

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8. Sherri M - 12:02PM on 04/14/08

My cat doesn't have a problem with the litter we use, but no matter what's in the box, she won't scratch the litter to cover her business. Rather, she does her business, then scratches the box side, the walls, and anything within reach, except the litter. Any suggestions??

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9. davidskillman2001 - 1:08PM on 04/14/08

To OrangeTabbyLover. We have a black cat that likes to go outside but used to get in fights and would get hurt. We wanted to stop that but didn't want to lock him inside. I did some research and found a few companies that make a cat fence that you install on the top of a regular chain link or wooden fence. Since I'm cheap and imaginative I figured out a way to fabricate my own system using chicken wire and book shelf brackets. Now that its been 2 years and he hasn't gotten out so it works great! He gets to go outside though his kitty door and we don't have to worry about him fighting.

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10. OrangeTabbyLover - 5:05PM on 04/14/08

To davidskillman2001: Thanks for the advice. We've thought about something akin to what you are saying, but unfortunately (for these purposes, at least!) we live in a condo/townhouse community, and putting up a fence/gate wouldn't do much good. First, even if we blocked off our stairway from the floor of the landing to the top of the bannister, our cat could still get out. He has an impressive vertical leap (at least at this stage of his life) and he can vault right up to the bannister and walk all the way down it (both scary and impressive to watch). And, even if we could hold him somehow on our top landing by being inventive, the top landing is only maybe 9x25 or so, which doesn't seem adequate ... might just be like a tease to him. I'm not sure, but it seems like we've either got to let him out during good weather and hope he stays out of fights and other dangers (we had him neutered, so he isn't the one that picks fights anymore like he used to before we adopted him ... but he can and will defend himself if need be) or bite the bullet and try to keep him in at all times. My wife and I are really in a quandry about it. Any other opinions would be welcome. Thanks.

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11. Gurl - 6:28PM on 04/14/08

My cat Shadow goes poop on are carpet and sometimes next to the litter.It doest like going in but know he does becase i an absorbent litter box now its happily pooping in its litter box but when i forget to clean it it goes on the carpet.....i dont blame him plus his sister (princess) always goes in the litter box even if its dirty.Well all cats are diffrent.

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12. Gurl - 6:29PM on 04/14/08

My cat Shadow goes poop on are carpet and sometimes next to the litter.It doest like going in but know he does becase i an absorbent litter box now its happily pooping in its litter box but when i forget to clean it it goes on the carpet.....i dont blame him plus his sister (princess) always goes in the litter box even if its dirty.Well all cats are diffrent.

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13. Dano - 7:14PM on 04/14/08

First: Love the book cover photo - I have found that same picture in my bathroom (usually after putting on a brand new roll). Fixed by making a roll cover from a plastic bottle about the same size-cut off both ends , then cut length-wise, and put around the roll. Makes getting paper off slower, but have not lost a roll since. Second: I live in a rural neighborhood. The clay type is used and then thrown out in the wooded part of my lot. I have heard that there is a new type called KITTY PINE that is bio-degradeable. My problem is I can't get the local stores (WAL....) to carry it yet ("No room on the Shelf". Our local cat shelter uses it with good results. They have to go to the next county to a Tractor Supply. She says it cost about the same but you don't have this heavy damp clay to deal with. Third : Don't "forget" to clean those trays or you may find a surprise like Tabby left me in the middle of our bed. Happy Cleaning.

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14. silkenpaw - 9:30PM on 04/14/08

When I adopted my Rufus (orange, with me 10 years this September), he wouldn't use the litter box. He would look at me with big, guilty eyes when I got home and found poop in a corner. I think he didn't understand what litter was for. Since I had seen him using mulch outside, I filled a big storage box with mulch; he understood right away and stopped going on the floor. I gradually added litter to the mulch and pretty soon he was using the litter. He now uses the litter box exclusively. He has not had any accidents, even when visiting my mother in another city.

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15. wendystr - 6:54AM on 04/15/08

To Orange Tabby Lover: We use a harness on our cat when she goes outside. She walks on a leash, but mostly sits and watches the world go by - we have a stake in the ground with a light line on it for the yard. She's had her harness since we got her at 12 weeks though, so your formally feral cat will object. We have several friends and relatives that use this technique as well, so it's worth a try. You can also try window seats, and kitty DVD's to make indoor life more enjoyable. Our cat loves to watch TV. As for litter, we've always used Feline Pine. Scoop the poop everyday and when it turns to sawdust it goes on the compost pile. The box has to be clean. We tried some fancy perfume litter once and we all hated it!

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16. marinedorothy - 9:49AM on 04/15/08

To Orange Tabby Lover: I have 2 formally feral cats I adopted many years ago. Sweetheart is now 13 and Pumpkin is 12. At first it was hard to keep them inside and they would bolt out the door every chance they got, sometimes staying goen for 2 or 3 days. They would beg at the door and I would sharply say "No out." I became very watchful at the doors, but they still got out once in a while. Their attempts to dash to freedom became more and more seldom and eventually stoped. I did put leashes on them and let them lay in the grass beneath the bushes. They seemed content to be there. They have a special window to sit and watch the world go by, but they are happy to have a warm safe home.

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17. OrangeTabbyLover - 5:15PM on 04/15/08

Thanks very much for everyone's kind input on my challenge re: whether (and, if so, how) to keep my formerly feral Orange Tabby inside. I considered trying the harness idea, but I'd bet "real money" that he would NOT be pleased to be on a harness! MarineDorothy: I'm impressed with your ability to be so firm. My little guy has taken on "anthropomorphic" dimensions in our little household, if you know what I mean ... he's pretty much treated as a child. I guess that's good and bad. Anyway, just the look in his eyes when I try to deny him the outdoors make me waver. I realize that if we decide he's to stay indoors, we just have to stand firm as you would for a toddler who doesn't know any better, but it's difficult to do knowing some of his history and how tough his "kittenhood" was (terrible, terrible first "owners" ... makes me want to scream). Anyhow, thanks again to everyone for your consideration and time.

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18. pinkyjasper - 5:21AM on 04/16/08

my cats are strictly indoor cats. we live on a busy street and have lots of strays because of the wooded area next to us. i have always used the crystal litter because of its drying abilities. i recently purchased a litter locker for disposing of the poop. i have no more odor problems and with it sitting next to the litter box you are more likely to use it more often. my cats never try to go outdoors. they actually seem terrified if i try and carry them out. we have a window box cattery built outside of the laundry room window. it is made of pvc and chicken wire and is about 2ft. by 4 ft.. the cats love it and is about as much of the outdoors they want. i can control when i want them to go out by just keeping the window closed. they let me know when they want out and all you do is pop the window open, also we have no fleas or ticks due to outdoor exposure.

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19. Pamela E - 5:07PM on 04/20/08

I would like to know why my cat has so much dander even after I give him a bath, comb him regulary?

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20. - 9:45PM on 04/20/08

To Sherri M in #8: This is quite common with cats. I have had various cats do that: scratch the sides of the box, etc. It's almost like they are trying to get their paws clean. Think about it. Cats are VERY clean. They probably hate the litter stuck to their paws. As for covering stuff up: Some are meticulous about it (My Alayna is so determined, I swear she is digging her way to China!), and some don't care about it (especially as cats age). You could try changing your brand of cat litter to a softer, more pleasant texture for your cat. That might encourage him to dig around a little more.

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21. JL - 12:18AM on 04/25/08

Cuffy, our 7 mo. female cat somehow outlines her litter box with a significant amount of litter. The pattern seems to persist when we scoop, or change-out the litter. Has she outgrown this box, and needs a larger one? Are we over-filling it? Any suggestions?

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22. drc8640 - 11:42AM on 04/25/08

My cat Tiger won't use his litter box, I have bought different types of litter from the most expensive to the one dollar one but nothing he won't use it. He rather go outside??? Is this normal? He goes out does his business and comes back inside but I don't like it because I don't really want him outside. Any suggestions? thanks.

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23. Indie - 11:33PM on 05/07/08

My elderly cat has started a new behavior. She use to turn around so only her back half was in the litterbox. But now she stands in the box and steps in her own clumps. She is grooming less, possibly because of stiffness or arthritis. So now I get dirty foot prints and litter around the house. Is she getting senile? Has any one seen this behavior in their cats? Any idea how to keep my house clean. I removed the litterbox cover, and placed a plastic mat with texture in front of the box, (also tried a cloth carpet), but she simply wont keep his paws clean. Perhaps a not clumping litter would be less sticky?

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24. Indie - 11:43PM on 05/07/08

Is your cats shy? My cat needs privacy during her trips to the litterbox. She won't go in if anybody is near by. I bought a 'canopy' and moved it to a private corner, and now she is much happier. Besides giving the cat privacy, the canopy also keeps her from throwing litter outside the box and reduces the "just went" odor. however you must scoop and clean the box itself more often, including the inside of the canopy, to keep it from becoming an like an 'outhouse' .

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25. Indie - 11:53PM on 05/07/08

How much do other people spend on cat litter? I like to buy bulk litter for environmental reasons, but i don't think i am getting a good price per pound. I pay around $15 to refill a 26 lb container. (non-scented, clumping litter) I would like to think the pet store is buying a good quality litter, but maybe they are buying whatever is cheapest for them. P.S. My cat dose find with this litter.

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26. DM - 11:23AM on 05/15/08

SherriM: My experience has been like KAZ's. One of my cats doesn't linger in her box...in-and-out, that's her. But another of my cats spends 5-10 minutes at her litter box whenever she visits...burying and re-burying, scratching the inside and outside of the litter box, scratching the opening to the box, scratching the mat in front of the box, sniffing everything before she finally trots off. In general, she seems more intensely interested in scents than my other cats. She insists on smelling everything and everyone that comes into the house, from head to toe (I often have to apologize to visitors for her "nosy" behavior!). I've always guessed it was because she's the more submissive cat in the house and scent helps her identify her "place" or her limits in the household, but I'm not sure.

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27. tanya l - 3:41PM on 05/22/08

Im really worried: I just now noticed discolored stains on my upstairs wall and when I started poking at it the smell of cat urine nearly knocked me out! I've had issues with my silver persian peeing in the bath tub,on throw rugs (he seems to have a thing for carpet!) I've tried several different cat litters thinking that it's just as simple buying a different brand ,now Im not so sure.Is this just a behavioural thing? help!

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28. mayia - 3:47PM on 05/22/08

hello! i have a male cat and had him since he was three months old..he is a combination of street cat (his father) and mother was the ancara type..i don't know if i say it right- with long hair but like a tiger colors..he used to be so sweet and easy to go with. it is not my first time living with a cat. Now he is one year old and is so restless, but the problem is that he pisses around in the house and once or twice on my mother's blanket.And smells terribly. His doctor told me that he is horny and that the solution would be to put him in the surgery...neuter him, i think is the right word. I have some reservations on that, but i am afraid i will be forced to do it, since we also live in a block of flats and he cannot go out at all, except from the summer, when we go to our village home and goes to the garden, at least he did so last year. But he was so young last year and now that the time comes i am afraid that he will go and the other cats there are wild and he doesn't know anything about outside life..We have him so spoiled, he only eats chicken, nothing else, he doesn't go even near cat food. He looks at me and turns his back. I resume the problems: 1. he piss in the house sometimes, the last months, although his litter box is clean and all, and he goes there all the other time 2. his doctor says that we have to neuter him and this will solve the problem, is this true? 3.he eats only chicken and this is geting too expensive, he does not even goes near cat food, how will i teach him to eat cat food? 4. in one month time we go for the summer to our village home, should i let him go out with free cats and let him probably get wounded?

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29. tanya l - 2:11PM on 05/23/08

My silver persian is a picky eater too...he has a pronounced underbite and can't eat chicken or any of those cat treats that are shredded,chunked etc....and even when I do find a canned treat he can eat,he turns his nose up after a while! as for getting your cat neutered....I did that and my persian he kitty still pees all over everything....I just recently got a recliner chair(very comfy,but not when you smell kitty pee all over it!)and he has been eye balling the chair(he peed all over the lsat recliner I had too) I decided to put a blanket over it and he actually crawled BEHIND the blanket and I chased his peeing self outta there.before I got my cat neutered,he was acting really ,really strange(this could be from being horny,not sure!) he would crawl up to me or my son and try and bite out necks and he would make yowling ssounds and you had to pry him off of you!! it was really freaky,so your cat's behaviours could have something to do with the need to neuter....you might try a cat food that is chicken flavored(if you haven't already that is!) or instead of dry food ,try a chicken flavored wet canned food.my persian will do what your cat does sometimes and turn his nose up at what Im offering him.....here is the name of the dry food I feed my persain,it's excellent for indoor or out door kitties and it's the only one my cat really likes or can eat with ease(his underbite!) it's called :NUTRO NATURAL CHOICE COMPLETE CARE" my cat love s this stuff P.S. the only way your cat will get into serious trouble outside (getting wounded etc.) is if you got him declawed ...and every cat is different,neutering your kitty COULD solve your kitty pee problem,it's worth it ,trust your doctor!

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30. Ioanna V - 1:13AM on 05/27/08

thank you very much Tanya I for answering me, i get desperate down here..i appreciate your advice, and i will neuter him, because as i understand from myself i cannot be so cruel and leave him, i could not do this under no condition, so i must find a solution first of all for his peeing problem, this is the most annoying thing, cause i live with my mother for the last two years and it is too much work for her and for me..yesterday he peed on my summer clothes i just had taken out of the cupboard for the summer..and i was crying ..got desperate..understand? i just yield at him, punched him slightly, put him for punishment on the terrace, but i live on a flat and he has no way to go out, at least in a small garden and i am feeling guilty for that, i feel i keep him imprisoned..i don't know what to do..as for the food problem, i live in greece and not in athens and i don't know if i can find the one you suggest me, i sure will try, thank you very much dear..appreciate it..

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