I saved a kitten that had eye goop and a runny nose. He is now blind and I can't not get him to use the litter box anymore. He did at first but in the past month he has been using the floor, usually right in front of the litter box. I put him in the box when I see him starting to go but sometimes he freaks out when I stick him in there. Why? I need to save my floors, please help!
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Try using Litter Attract in your litter box.
Lauren
Take him to the vet and go from there. He needs a thorough check-up and they may also have some suggestions for you.
Use the puppy trainers sold at Walmart. Put one in front of the litter box then add some litter and slowly transfer back to the litter box. Will work like a charm. The puppy trainers also have odor protections and are so easy.
He may be having a hard time finding his way into the box. Try making a long sloping ramp for him to get in and out of the box with. Hopefully this will help him feel more comfortable getting in and out of it.
If it does, then at around 6 or 8 months of age, you can start very slowly making the ramp shorter and shorter until you have no ramp at all.
Also, I don't know where you have the box now, but if you put it in a place that is easy for him to find, but at the same time a place where it's quiet and he can have his privacy (yes, even cats like their privacy) it should help.
But it sounds like something has scared the kitten (could have been a sound or anything) and now it's afraid to make the leap in. But he obviously wants to since he's peeing in front of the box.
Having gone blind like she did tho, it's going to be easy for him to get scared so just try different methods with him. One thing with having a blind pet of any kind, is you can't rearrange your furniture. They have to learn where everything is, and if you go moving it, they get confused and scared. Just keep your heart open like I'm sure it was when you took the kitten in and be understanding to it's special needs and fears and you will both be fine.
I know you love this cat, but face facts, unless you are willing to give up your floors, and you probably will have too. You will either let him be an outdoor barn cat, or put him down humanely.
I also adopted a kitten with similar sight issues a few years back and had to teach her to use the litter box...and so I understand.
Do you have other cats that are using the same box? My blind kitty was doing well with the box until another cat began scaring and bossing her around. I kept them seperated when I wasn't home, and gradually introduced them together when i was there. They are not best friends, but they tolerate one another now.
Is the litter box to high? Have you tried litter attract cat litter? or sprinkling cat nip trails to the litter box? He is fearful of the box for a reason...placing him in it is only increasing his fear...try enticing him to the box...but avoid feeding him beside the box...would you want to eat your dinner next to the toilet?
Take a deep breathe and know that your compassion and love for this little being is undeniably the most wonderful experience you may ever have a chance to happen upon...stay positive!
:)
Putting down a blind cat is not an option, at least not to anyone who loves animals. Floors can be protected and replaced.
Having said that, you might want to consult a vet or a website that will help. Here is one or two that I found.
www.messybeast.com/
and of course there is more. I put in caring for blind cat in google and got more than you can read in a year.
His sense of smell might be hightened, and he may need his own box. Catnip trails will only send him into fits of fancy, and a blind cat who wants to hop and play but can't see is not wise. Because he is a kitten, you can gently place him in the box and gently hold him down while petting him and soothingly speaking his/her praises. It will eventually go there. It might be too high, as the other poster mentioned. I used an old sheet cake pan till they were bigger, and that works great. Sometimes, a good old stinky tee shirt hanging by the box, that has a scent of you or their sibs/mom? can help.
In the mean time, thrift store plastic placemats in front will protect your floors, or carpeting scraps from the bins behind the carpeting stores can help.
Don't give up on this little creature. You will get a loving and cherished pet for your efforts. Blessings to you. Poor But Proud
Have you been to a Vet yet? I have a kitten with one eye. She was one of 4 born to a feral Mother. She does fine without the eye and cats have a wonderful sense of smell so she definitely knows where the box is. Have you changed the type of litter? Cats usually dislike their litter type changed. Perhaps the little thing is sick again. My Tinkerbelly and my 8 others use the box. The one I had that did not was trying to tell me he was sick with a gastro infection. When a cat stops using their box it is usually something wrong with the cat or their box. Don't punish the little one. Once they have these upper respiratory infections they tend to have a weakness to them and in their whole immune system. I don't mean it is something you can't handle it is just a fact. My baby had normal eyes but it appears she had an infection passed from her Momma at birth. They were all ill but she was just 1 lb and almost died.If you have not changed or messed with the litter then get to the Vet ASAP. My Daughter's cat started that way a few weeks ago.......she suddenly had a large tumor show on her bladder. Amber went to the Rainbow Bridge last week because she could no longer eat or drink and because we love her.
I've trained three cats to newspaper, which absorbs odors if changed daily and at least two sheets thick. I found an out of the way place, placed an old shallow vinyl box besides the paper because cats prefer to have separate places for urine and feces. I don't know why. One cat was feral, a teacup kitten in top of a small tree.
She's now 21 years old, healthy, still using paper and the tub with two sheets of paper in it, changed daily. Worth it to me. I also toss used paper into an old produce bag and twist tie so there's no lingering house odor until trash day. I have had too many cats to die from using litter in litter boxes which must be cleaned.
I believe you will have great luck at first just placing any droppings on the paper and telling the cat, "paper for do-do. Box for pee-pee." It worked for me to reward them each time they did it correctly by praise and stroking. I feed all cats tuna, occasional canned chicken,or left over plain meats, sometimes mixed with plain rice, and dry food each day, not leaving more than they can consume at that time unless they are not hungry.
I make certain their water bowls are at least an 8 oz coffee mug size and kept full daily. Their fur is great, and I've not had them vaccinated because they are house cats, nor have I ever had to attend to any sickness!
God bless you and your sweeties. : )
You are a saint in my book. Be patient with her. Have her checked by a vet to make sure there aren't any health issues. Good luck!
Try "Cat Attract" litter by Dr Elcy. It's pricey, but has some herb in it that really seems to work!
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