Automated litter boxes are a thing. I don’t know from experience, but I’m pretty sure that if I had a device that smelled like a perfectly acceptable cat bathroom, but, at times, made whirring and shuffling sounds, that the Art Cat would run away in fear, possibly never to use said device for its intended purpose. However, I know people who use a mechanical litter sorting machine, and say it works just fine. 
I bring this up because your Friday Art Cat is having some issues. She raises her behind to urinate just over the edge of the box, and there has been some inappropriate marking on a mat in the human bathroom.
“You should have a covered box,” you say. Nope. No good. The enclosed structure encourages litter box stalking ,and subsequent peeing outside of the box because we’re too afraid to go in for fear of attack.
“You should have one more box than you have cats,” you say. Check. I have the correct count. I know every time I clean them. That’s not the issue.
“Maybe there’s a physical reason your cat is having difficulties.” Possible. The Art Cat takes a joint supplement with her food for hip arthritis. Therefore, it may be uncomfortable for her to take the proper stance. It doesn’t help that she also has a cantankerous nature which she unfairly hurls at her fellow felines, adding to everyone’s elimination tensions.
So, if you have any good ideas, I’m open to hearing them. In the meantime, you can check out this recent post for tips and tricks for dealing with the litter box.
Additionally, I keep a blog, Art is Not for Sissies, where I post about art and cats. Thanks for checking it out!
Carol
I am curious. She gets into the box and then lifts her behind so she pees out over the edge? I found a low front high back box for my boy cat that kept him from peeing outside the box. It wsn’t that he was refusing the box, it was just he was tall and did not squat to pee. Also, once,for a large cat at rescue, I used an underbed plastic storage container that was big enough for hime to turn around in until he was comfortable, Good luck.
Reblogged this on Rattiesforeverworldpresscom.
Awesome. Thank you very much!
You are so right. We bought a a cat toilet some years ago, a cat should go inside that box and pee there. Our cat went in and we thought everyhing is fine. After a while I noticed some wet spots on the floor. So next time he went into the box, I followed him. Oh my, he was standing in that box and showered the back wall.
So we are now very happy with the old-fashioned box.
CATZ are not for sissy(s) I go into the human bathroom and some follow me in because they think I”m sitting to make a lap for them. I had one once (now deceased) that would follow me in and then climb in the tub and pee right on the grate to show solidarity and understanding….i miss that Bette Noir. Potty Issues are hard for man and beast….do the best you can. ~~dru~~
ps: listen to your inner cat…it is all yah got.
How convenient of that now deceased cat to pee where you could flush it away easily!
Thanks!
The main two reasons left are that she either has a painful urinary tract infection, or that she dislikes her litter. Many cats have a preference for unscented litter, or a certain texture.
Parker
I need to take her to the vet to get her checked out. Thanks!
I like to pee against the wall and sometimes if the litter is piled too high it goes outside the box… My human has taken to put down less litter so that my entire butt is inside the box. I couldn’t care less
Chubby, you are one lucky cat 🙂
We are a multi-cat/feral rescue household. Some don’t like to squat, some like to aim at the side of the box for territorial reasons, and some want to dig to China before peeing. We have solved all of those issues by using deep Rubbermaid storage bins as litterboxes, scattering them around the house and filling half full. That makes the litter deep enough to satisfy the diggers while keeping the sprayer’s pee confined to the box. A bonus is that because we use the clear bins, there are no ambushes. Another bonus? Because of the depth, it is easy to scoop without any soaking to the bottom, litter can be refreshed or topped up to extend the time between cleaning a bit, and it is easy to hose out the boxes out when they need it.
Good ideas, Mary. Thanks!
I use a large under bed storage container and two of the low front with 3 high sides boxes. I have one who prefers to pee on the side. Unfortunately she’s tall and it occasionally goes over so I keep a doggy piddle pad on the backside of the box. The other two are diggers. Too much litter and it’s scattered everywhere. Most accidents are over the box. I don’t have issues with inappropriate places with this crew. My last cat (dearly departed) preferred soft throw rugs in his last years (like bathroom carpets) so I would keep a crumpled up old towel near the boxes. He used that to pee and pooped in the box. It would be so much easier if they would just say what they like.
Thanks for all of the ideas. Much appreciated!
thx for posting
Sure thing! Thanks!
She could just be being a cat LOL
This is what worries me….
Yep, been there. 🙂
cute story about cats.
🙂 Thanks!
If you buy a box of Cat Attract litter, it has a little booklet inside with every conceivable litter box problem explained. It is more expensive than other litter, though, and my cats do not seem to have a preference.
Yes, I’ve tried the Cat Attract! I have not read the booklet. I guess I should…
Mmmmmmm, over the years and homes we have lived in the space Jamima has for her tray has often become smaller. The tighter the squeeze the less ‘efficient’ she becomes. As I line the tray so it’s OH&S friendly for the carers to manage for me Jamima will artfully scratch the liner into the tray and make a mess on the wrong side of the liner. It’s a skill. It really is. I find Cat-nip spray helps to remind her it’s a good place.
Thanks much for the ideas. We have an enormous box. I use the puppy pads all around the box, too. I’m taking her to the vet this week to see if there’s another problem.