A friend , NOT ME, just adopted a 8 year old female cat.

They have tried different types of liter, including the liter that was used at the kennel and the cat will not use the litter box.

Goes all around it, but not in.

They have had the cat for only three days, but this could be a take back to the shelter situation .

My only suggestion was a covered litter box and more time.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Dram, are there other cats in your friend's household? Maybe they are bullying the new cat, and she could be submissive peeing. Did they have cats before, and maybe their pre-existing scent is making the new cat uneasy about using the box? They should thoroughly clean the area with a commercial product to remove any former cats' scent.

I agree with Allie, first order would be a vet check, and be treated for any UTI. Also, was there a change in the food? Anything new can stress out any cat, especially an older cat. Is the cat spayed? Hopefully she is. Duh, I just re-read the original post.  Dram, would your friends know if the cat was recently spayed, before she left the shelter? That could be an issue.

Let your friends know to be patient, and to not reprimand the cat harshly, as this will cause further stress and exacerbate the problem. Also, don't reprimand the cat two hours AFTER the incident occured; by then the cat has no idea why you are yelling at her, and begins to associate the litterbox with loud angry owners.

Let us know how it turns out! Cathy and the Crew

I recently brought in a stray cat in my household of seven cats and started to have problems with one of them not using the litter box. I went out and bought all new litter boxes in different sizes. I put some of my litter boxes inside of a large dog crates and used a piece of material to cover the crate for privacy. I left out some of the boxes too.  I also sprinkled cat nip in all the boxes. One other thing that I did was to put calming drops in their drinking water that I got from Petsmart. So far knock on wood it is working. This poor stray cat has had two serious injuries and was forced to be inside our home to heal. He has to stay in our house for another couple of weeks due to his last injury and I am wondering if he will want to go outside after that. He does cry by the door everyday.

OK, they work at the shelter were they got the cat.

It was checked out by a vet before it was approved for adoption.

It was using the litter box at the shelter, but as it is small in size was in a small cage, so it was either use the litter box or go on its blanket.

I will still reccomend that it is checked out by there vet.

And yes it is an only cat.

I am happy to report that Lilly( not a name I would have picked) has decided to use the litter box.

So all is well with the world.

The location of the litterbox should be away from hi-trafficing areas.

A quiet corner where she can go and think calmly.

is she spayed? she should be.

get her to the vet to seek out any possible internal problems. she needs a good physical anyhow at 8. And she deserves a chance at a foreverhome like anyone else.

Lotsa Love, Care and Understanding.

Dave.

First, covered litter boxes are for the owners, not the cats. Cats fon't like them, owners do.

Second, your friend couldn't have tried all sorts of kitty litters if your friend had the cat for only 3 days.

Third, cats need to be introduced to new litter gradually.

Fourth, and most important, any time a cat is urinatintg outside its box, THE OWNER NEEDS TO TAKE IT TO A VET BEFORE TRYING ANYTHING ELSE! Since your friend just got it, your friend should take the cat back to where it came from so their vet can check it and your friend can save money.

Hey, I was just reading your post and wanted to tell you that i foster kitties and I brought in a stray female that i had been feeding and it was really too cold outside like 10 degrees and got her spayed and shots and they notched her ear because the vet claims she is ferel even though i can get her to rub me.... go figure....well that was 2 months ago...she loves being indoors in an apartment with 2 other cats, lots of food, water and TLC. Thats all it took for her. I opened the door and do from time to time and i think she looks up at me and says :woman are you crazy? I've got it made!",I'm not going outside back in the parking lot"... ANyway I hope it all has worked out for your stray kitty..........Michelle in G-town............NC