The condition when the cat cannot go to the toilet is very dangerous for the pet! Failure to empty the bowel or bladder can cause death of the animal, therefore, when the first such situation appears, you should immediately contact your veterinarian. There are several diseases that can lead to such consequences.
- It is necessary to exclude hypothermia of the animal. Drafts, winter walks and cold in the apartment are prohibited for such diseases! If the cat catches a kidney cold, problems with the genitourinary system cannot be avoided - and the disease will be difficult to progress.
- Vaccination should not be neglected: pathogenic microorganisms often become the cause of inflammation of the urinary tract, so their presence in the pet's body should be avoided.
- A cat with such problems needs constant access to clean filtered water: the pet must drink plenty of food every meal, so you need to monitor its drinker. If the owner is often absent from home or is a very forgetful person, it is worth purchasing the automatic version! But pouring too much water into the bowl is not worth it, it may deteriorate.
- It is very important to monitor your cat's diet. Many foods and foods are bad for your pet's kidney health! It is worth being careful with meat and fish products, excluding prohibited foods from the diet and transferring the animal to special varieties for cats with problems of the genitourinary system - they are guaranteed not to harm.
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The cat cannot go to the toilet in a small way
In a situation where a cat is unable to empty its bladder, seeing a doctor is the only thing that can be done. Problems with urination in animals are always a symptom of various diseases: most often we are talking about cystitis, but urolithiasis is not uncommon. Also, the inability to urinate may indicate nephritis, urethritis, pyelonephritis and other inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system of the animal. It is almost impossible to distinguish between these conditions at home: only after being examined by a veterinarian, taking tests and conducting an ultrasound can you draw any conclusions and select a treatment regimen.
If problems with urination are observed in a cat for a day or more, you can not hesitate to go to the veterinary clinic. This state will not go away on its own, and the owner will not be able to help the pet at home.
Symptoms of urinary problems in your pet
The most important and significant symptom that a cat cannot go small is a dry litter box. If it was changed a day or more ago, and it still does not get wet, there is no doubt that there is a problem! Not enough urination is also worth noting: if usually a cat or a cat goes to the toilet a lot, and now - very little and rarely, the owner should be wary. It is also necessary to check the tray for the presence of blood or purulent discharge, and if the latter are saturated yellow, you should rush to the veterinary clinic.
An indirect symptom indicating a urinary problem may be a tight and hard stomach. The cat will try to lie on its back so as not to touch it, and will not let the owner feel it. If the animal actively resists being touched, meows and hisses, it is clearly painful and unpleasant. It is possible to draw appropriate conclusions on the behavior of the pet: he will be apathetic and lethargic, and will often and plaintively meow or even scream.
How to treat a cat in such a situation?
The owner will not be able to cure the cat on his own: before treating problems with the genitourinary system, a thorough diagnosis is required, including a specialist examination, blood and urine tests, as well as an ultrasound scan. Based on the results, the veterinarian will select the optimal treatment regimen for the pet: first, the outflow of urine is restored, and then washing, antibiotic treatment and preventive care of the animal are carried out.
The outflow of urine is restored in two ways. If the urethra of the cat is not clogged and is functioning normally, you should give her plenty of drink, remove food from the diet and supplement it with decoctions of herbs with a slight diuretic effect: you can use lingonberry leaf, bearberry leaves and horsetail. If there are problems with the urethra, bladder catheterization is necessary: the catheter is installed for 5-7 days, after which treatment is carried out.
When the urine flow in the cat is restored, it is necessary to flush the bladder and urethra. For this purpose, antiseptic solutions such as potassium permanganate, furacilin, chlorhexidine, boric acid, or ordinary saline are used. Washing cleans the bladder from mucus, pus, blood clots, sand and other unwanted elements, and also disinfects it.
After washing, the cat continues to be treated with conservative methods: antibacterial and sulfa drugs are actively used, the negative effects of which are compensated for by probiotics and enterosorbents. Do not neglect disinfecting decoctions of various herbs and special urological fees.
For severe pain, antispasmodic and sedative drugs are prescribed: they calm the cat and help her to calmly endure treatment.
Prevention of diseases of the genitourinary system
Prevention is an important part of caring for a pet after an illness, because diseases of the genitourinary system often return, moreover, with serious complications. Usually, recommendations for further care are given by a veterinarian, but they are universal and are common to all cats with urinary problems:
For each of these points, consistency and severity are required: even the slightest indulgence and disregard for the rules can turn into serious problems for the pet's health and its further well-being.
If a castrated cat lives in the house, it is worth getting additional recommendations for him from a specialist: problems with the genitourinary system concern such pets much more often than ordinary cats.
The cat can't go to the toilet in a big way
Constipation in a cat can occur due to improper food, an unusual environment or stressful situation, due to hairballs and other foreign bodies in the stomach, and also due to lack of mobility. Age can also cause constipation: kittens and older pets go to the toilet less often than adults.
You should be careful: even old cats and small kittens should empty their intestines every two to three days. If this does not happen, do not hesitate and contact a specialist!
Diseases that cause constipation in pets include all kinds of inflammatory processes of the gastrointestinal tract, adhesions, hernias, tumors and other conditions that cause intestinal obstruction. The problem may be in the anal passage itself: with ruptures, inflammations and scars, defecation brings severe pain, so the cat has to endure and not go to the toilet.
Symptoms of constipation in a cat
An important symptom that indicates problems with defecation in a pet is the very absence of feces and the animal's frequent but fruitless attempts to empty. In such a situation, the cat sits in the tray for a long time, digs the filler and makes plaintive sounds: if the owner notices something like this, there is no doubt that it is difficult for the pet to go to the toilet! For older animals and kittens, this condition is normal, but you need to keep track of the time: if the cat has not been able to poop for 3 days, you need to show it to the doctor.
Other symptoms to watch out for are pet behavior and appetite. If the animal does not eat well, is apathetic and meows more often than usual, it must be in pain! It is worth paying attention to the cat's belly: if it is tense, swollen and feels firmer than before, this is a clear sign of a problem. As in the case of problems of the genitourinary system, the cat will try not to lie on its stomach and keep the owner away from him, avoiding pain.
How to help your pet with gastrointestinal diseases?
Diseases of the digestive tract in an animal must be treated only under the supervision of a veterinarian: independent measures can greatly harm the cat and even kill him. So, laxatives should not be taken before an ultrasound scan - if the problem is intestinal obstruction, this will provoke its rupture! With a small and short-lived constipation, you can try changing the pet's diet: add more liquid to it and reduce the amount of dry food. If this does not help, you need to rush to the vet.
If the doctor prescribes a laxative drug, it is worth giving preference to mildly acting agents: vaseline oil, Duphalac and herbal preparations. Refrain from using castor oil! Despite the fact that it is often praised and recommended, it has a too rough and harsh effect, which in the future reflects badly on the pet. You can also use enemas, but you should not put them on your own: instead of helping the pet, the owner can only make it worse.
After undergoing treatment, it is necessary to use drugs with lactobacilli and bifidobacteria and food containing them in large quantities, if the cat agrees to eat it. You can pick up a special food containing such bacteria - it is very useful after an illness.
Preventing feline constipation
The main rule for preventing constipation problems in a cat will be to change its diet. It should contain plenty of clean and fresh water, fresh vegetables and moist food that is good for digestion. In addition, vitamins are needed: add them to your cat's food, grow special grass for her, or buy suitable food.
It is necessary to diversify the pet's physical activity: try to play with it more often, arrange walks. Movement is always good for the intestines, and this is especially important for older pets.
And do not forget to be observed at the veterinary clinic. Mandatory examinations, ultrasound scans once a year, preventive vaccinations and treatment as needed are what any pet needs. If the disease is chronic, it must be prevented in time - that is why a visit to the veterinarian should not be neglected.
Like any animals, cats also get sick. Pet owners may notice this by strange behavior, such as the fact that the cat does not go to the toilet in a big way for several days. This is a pretty serious problem that won't go away on its own. A kitten without the necessary help will suffer for a long time and slowly die. Each owner should be aware of the causes, symptoms and further actions if a beloved pet has problems with sending needs.
Constipation in cats can be either an independent disease or accompany other pathologies. Depending on the age of the animal, they go to the toilet in a big way in different ways. It is enough for an adult cat to go once every 24 hours, and a monthly kitten needs 3-6 times a day. Pregnant cats may not empty for several days just before giving birth. This is considered normal, so they instinctively cleanse the body. Missing a tray for up to 3-4 days indicates a problem.
Causes of constipation in a small kitten:
- congenital malformations of the gastrointestinal tract (most often problems with the anus);
- a sharp transition from milk to "adult" food;
- adaptation of the animal to new conditions;
- inflammatory processes.
An adult cat does not go to the toilet in a big way because of:
- improper diet and quality of food;
- moving or changing home environment;
- trichobezoar - wool lumps that are formed as a result of cleaning the wool with the tongue;
- obesity associated with castration;
- side effect of drugs;
- inflammatory diseases;
- squeezing of the intestine (multiple pregnancy, tumor, hernia, etc.);
- old age (feces are difficult to pass through the intestines, which have lost regulation as a result of age-related changes);
- uncleaned or not full tray.
The prognosis is more favorable if the pet does not empty only in a large way. Lack of urination indicates more serious illness.
Symptoms
The most important sign is that the cat does not go to the toilet in a big way. Usually, the owners do not immediately notice this, and when they understand that the pet is sick, they wait for several days with the hope that he will recover. 3-4 days without a litter box can kill a cat.
He can behave very restlessly, meow loudly, scratch, fidget, but much worse if the pet is lethargic and drowsy. The abdomen may be swollen, hard, painful when you try to touch it.
When the cat tries to go to the litter box, it may leave traces of blood or other impurities, such as pus. At the beginning of the disease, animals usually try to attract attention to themselves by any means, and after a few days, on the contrary, they hide in secluded places where it is difficult to find them.
Home solutions
When a problem is identified, action should be taken immediately. Treatment should be consistent with the cause of the absence of feces, but if it is not established, it is necessary to deal directly with constipation. It is not advisable to give laxatives on your own, only after consulting a veterinarian, because if the cat does not go to the toilet due to a tumor, adhesion, hernia or other organic pathologies, they will not be effective and will give the pet even more discomfort.
What to do if your cat is constipated? Several recommendations for combating pathology:
- For a small kitten, if the belly is not swollen, you can massage the tummy. Their digestive system is not yet fully formed and the cat mother licks her babies, relaxing their tummies. You need to massage gently, not pressing hard from top to bottom.
- For adult cats, about 5 drops of petroleum jelly or vegetable oil are mixed with food. It has a softening effect and helps the feces to come out.
- Stir water and condensed milk in a 1: 1 ratio and give no more than 5 times a day, no more than 1 hour later. Such a mixture will help the masses pass through the gastrointestinal tract.
- The use of an enema. At home, this is extremely dangerous, you can damage the rectum, so it is better to seek help from a specialist.
- If the cat is pregnant, you cannot do without a veterinarian, because it is impossible to distinguish between pathological constipation in pregnant women and physiological constipation before childbirth.
- The animals are helped by probiotics. They are recommended to be taken, all in any case, they help to restore the normal intestinal microflora.
Some activities do not help, but rather, on the contrary, make the animal worse. If the cat has no appetite, you cannot force it to eat or drink. Medication should be appropriate for the weight and age of the pet, therefore, it is better to consult a veterinarian.
Videos on the topic from a veterinarian:
Feeding Tips for Constipated Cats
The most important preventive measure for acute or chronic constipation is a balanced regimen and quality of food for a pet.
- Food should be fresh. The menu should include vegetables. The food should be varied.
- Do not feed the cat the same as you eat yourself, because such food does not always suit them.
- It is preferable to give liquid dishes, and if the food is dry, soak it in soup or porridge.
- The optimum temperature is slightly above room temperature.
- Rice, chicken, broth, boiled meat contribute to delayed bowel movements, so they should not be given to your pet often.
- Add special food additives to the feed for cats prone to constipation.
In addition to proper nutrition, the pet needs to be walked, combed in time, and bought toys to keep it active. Neutered cats are more prone to problems with defecation, as they lead a sedentary lifestyle, quickly gain weight and lie almost all the time. He should be allowed to go for a walk more often, provide climbing equipment and prevent overeating.
If you are not sure that you can help your pet on your own, it is better to consult a specialist. If the problems with the toilet are resolved, you need to continue to observe the cat, pay attention to changes in its behavior, pay attention. Remember, we are responsible for the one we tamed.
At one point, you suddenly notice that the cat does not go to the toilet in the place assigned to her, where there is a cat litter box. Although what could be more obvious than the feline habit of neatly treating his needs, doing it in a special place? Why is this happening?
In this article :
Reasons why a cat does not go to the litter box
Cats are one of the most picky creatures, and therefore, when the cat does not go to the litter box, it makes sense to be on the alert. Anything can be the cause of this feline behavior, from dirt in the litter box to an animal's illness. So, the reasons why the cat does not go to the litter box may be:
- dirty cat litter box;
- perhaps one cat litter box is not enough for your cat (if you have too spacious living space);
- too cramped cat litter box;
- the litter box is closed and the cat cannot access it;
- the presence of permanent litter in the cat litter;
- an unfortunate place in which the cat litter is installed (placement does not allow the cat to retire, and there are several approaches to the litter box);
- negative associations associated with a specific tray. Perhaps your cat was upset or frightened by something while she was doing her business in this litter box. Even if the stress goes away, the litter box will evoke negative memories, and therefore the cat will not go to this particular litter box;
- the cat is under stress: moving to another place, the appearance of new animals or new family members in the house;
- the cat has a conflict with another cat that lives in your house;
- the cat has new preferences: now she likes to relieve herself on the carpet, on the ground in the garden, or on your sheets.
Medical reasons why a cat does not go to the litter box
The cat may not go to the litter box or go to the toilet at all due to its health condition. Perhaps urination has become too painful for her. Medical reasons for not going to the litter box include:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs). If your cat enters the litter box too often and there is little urine left after these trips, she may have a UTI.
- Feline interstitial cystitis. Feline interstitial cystitis is a complex disease that causes inflammation of the bladder. It can lead to the fact that the cat simply does not have time to be in the litter box due to urgent urge to urinate.
- Bladder stones or blockage in the urinary tract. If you have stones or a blockage in your urinary tract, your cat may have frequent urges that lead him to the litter box. The cat may also experience pain, meow, or cry as it tries to eliminate it. A cat's belly can feel soft to the touch.
When the cat does not go to the litter box (non-medical reasons)
If your veterinarian ruled out any health problems for your cat, and she still does not go to the litter box, preferring to relieve herself elsewhere, you can try the following:
Several cats. Finding out which cat does not go to the litter box
If you have several cats living in your house at once, and you cannot figure out which of the cats does not go to the litter box, you can try purchasing a harmless dye from your veterinary pharmacy that will make cat urine visible in the ultraviolet range. For each cat, it will be possible to purchase its own dye, which is usually added to the animal's food. You will also need an ultraviolet light source for this experiment.
An easier way to determine which cat is not going to the litter box is to restrict cat access to the litter box one at a time. For example, if the tray is in the bathroom, then close one cat in it, leaving her with a supply of water and drink.
The cat does not go to the litter box because it likes other surfaces.
If your cat stubbornly doesn’t walk into the litter box, but is happy to do the need on your carpet, your task is to make this surface less attractive. You can cover the surface of the rug with foil or place double-sided tape on top of it, which will force the cat to find a better place to defecate.
The cat does not go to the litter box. What not to do
It's important to remember that toilet training requires patience, not punishment. If an adult cat does not go to the tray, then it is still not worth it:
- poke her nose into urine or feces;
- scold the cat and drag it to the tray;
- confine it in a confined space with a cat litter, without trying other methods of solving the problem;
- install a litter box where animals will eat and drink;
- distract the cat when she relieves. If, for some reason, the cat is disgusted with its litter box, then next to it you can try to put your favorite cat toys or treats so that the animal overcomes such disgust;
- cleaning other surfaces where the cat has relieved the need, you need to use enzymatic detergents, not ammonia-based products. After cleaning, cover this area with foil or plastic wrap for several weeks to allow the neutralizer to work.
The cat does not go to the litter box and nothing helps.
If you've tried your best but nothing has worked and your cat still won't go to the litter box, you should contact your veterinarian or animal behaviorist. Perhaps these people will be able to suggest how to correctly solve the existing problem.
Denial of responsibility : The information provided in this article on the reasons why a cat does not go to the litter box is for guidance only.
Some owners have a question, how long can a cat not go to the toilet? The reasons can be relatively harmless and vice versa, prolonged constipation or lack of urination is alarming. In addition to the main factors of stool delay, the age of the animal should be taken into account.
Safe factors
The cat may not go to the toilet all day, but that does not mean that there is a problem. For example, in a new house, an animal begins to choose a suitable place for itself. It's just that the cat does not go to the toilet in the center of the room. It can also be scared off by the smell of the filler.
A delay in urination or bowel movement is possible with:
- changing climatic conditions;
- stress (moving, meeting with dogs, etc.);
- after castration or sterilization;
- change of feed (for example, from natural to dry, etc.).
After sterilization or castration, the animals recover from two to three days. During this period, there may be a violation of urination or bowel movement. A small kitten does not go to the toilet for several reasons:
- A change of scenery when the pet is in a new place for him. Even if the kitten does not go to the litter box for 2-3 days, this is considered a relative norm.
- Switching to a different diet at an early age. Constipation may occur.
- Abnormal structure of internal organs.
Older cats may not go to the toilet for several days. Why is this happening? The problem is in the work of the digestive tract. The intestines are no longer working in such an active mode as before. Therefore, the feces gradually accumulate, and then go out.
One of the most common factors when cats go to the toilet every couple of days is stress and nervous disorders. The owner should not scold his pet for this. On the contrary, the animal needs to be stroked, picked up, calmed down.
Often stress and anxiety are caused by sudden moves, trips on public transport. Once in a new home, the animal first examines it. He needs to be shown where the cat litter is, but it is not a fact that the pet will use it in the next day. The cat needs to get used to it and calm down.
Pathological causes
If the animal is sick, it can cause urinary retention or bowel movements for more than three days. In this case, the help of a veterinarian is already needed. The reasons why the pet does not go to the tray may be the ingress of a foreign body into the body, matted hair that ended up in the stomach after several exercises, etc.
Constipation or not urinating can cause clumping filler, kidney disease, sand and stone formation. In this case, the cat may not go to the toilet even for five days. In this case, the belly of the pet will swell more and more. The cat will try to go to the toilet, but will not be able to do so due to severe pain.
Cats go to the toilet less often than males. Obese animals can tolerate all day and only use the litter box once a day. If the cat does not drink enough water and at the same time eats dry food, then it may not go to the toilet for a couple of days. However, this is dangerous, even fatal. If the animal does not go to the toilet for three days or more, then he needs the help of a veterinarian.
A cat cannot be called a human, which means that there are no human motives in her actions either. And if you are thinking why a cat does not want to go to the litter box, then the answer most likely lies in something specific, not related to feline morality. Therefore, appealing to prudence, poking the animal into another pile or puddle, and what is worse, beating the pet or yelling at it, is useless. But the problem of the cat's friendship with the litter box must be solved. And now we will figure out how to do this.
The situation is already clear - the cat does not want to go to the litter box and, naturally, such blasphemy must be corrected. It should be said right away that a cat ignores the litter box for only two reasons: behavioral and medical.
Behavioral approach
The psychological reasons for the unclean behavior of cats and cats are as follows:
- Disgust.
- Dislike can be both for the tray itself and for the filler. A cat may find even the place where its restroom is disgusting.
- Preference.
- The pet likes this corner and it is not at all scary that there is no tray there.
- Dirt in the tray.
- Here, all the fault lies with the owner. The tray does not wash, does not change the filler.
- The presence of strangers.
- The cat is shy, does not go to the tray out of shame, if there are strangers in the house, for example. Another option is that the pet is afraid of strangers.
- Intraspecific aggression.
- Social discord between two cats living in the same house. Especially true if one of the pets is a beginner.
- Increased anxiety.
Here, a little bit of everything from the previous points, plus you can add a recent move, a rude attitude from the owner, etc.
In general, we can conclude.
If a healthy cat does not want to go to the litter box, then the answer must be found in psychology.
Medical point of view
Let's dot the i's right away for non-castrated and non-sterilized animals. There is no need to explain anything here. Hormones rampage and push poor cats and cats to "wet cases". The point is in the high hormonal background and the stress associated with it. There is a solution to the problem - it's time to go to the veterinarian for an operation.
It is quite another matter if the problem with childbirth is solved, and the cat walks past the litter box. In this case, it is necessary to sin for the disease. There are a lot of diseases that disrupt the natural cycle of urination:
- inflammatory processes in the intestines;
- food allergy;
- diabetes;
- hepatitis;
- constipation;
- colitis.
But the predominant reason for cats and cats walking past the litter box is in diseases of the genitourinary system: ICD, cystitis, and so on.
If we talk about older cats, then their physical abilities and brain activity decrease with old age. Agree, this is a compelling argument to violate the impeccable handling of natural needs. For example, a cat does not go to the litter box for one simple reason - he does not have time to reach it due to atony (age-related weakening of the muscles of the urethra).
We have analyzed the main reasons why cats do not go to the litter box. But what to do if the pet regularly goes to the toilet on a big business and makes puddles in the corners. Or vice versa, the corners are littered with piles, but otherwise everything is fine. We will resolve this issue as well.
Why doesn't the cat want to go to the litter box?
You can see that the pet regularly leaves piles where it should be, but there are no wet marks in the tray. It is clear that this is an alarming signal. After all, a small problem with the absence of puddles can be a big problem - bladder inflammation or cystitis.
Why doesn't the cat go to the litter box in large quantities?
Ask yourself - is he capable. Maybe he's constipated. There can be many reasons for this unpleasant phenomenon:
- stress;
- improper diet;
- bowel problems.
In each of these cases, the cat needs your help. The simplest technique is to feed your pet with laxative food until the expected result is achieved. In this sense, regular milk can help. You can, of course, resort to medicine, or even in the old fashioned way - with an enema or soap in the anus.
How to Solve Tray Problem - Best Ways
If there are several four-legged pets at home, give them separate latrines.
Take the time to resolve the issue - marks the animal's territory or still goes to the toilet. A label is a small amount of urine, and a toilet is a puddle. It is worth knowing that the battle for space is inherent in both cats and cats.
Take some time for the tray.
Try to clean the litter box as often as possible. Ideally, once a day. With a change of filler, it is also not worth pulling. Basically, cats are clean animals and it is not surprising if a cat stops going to the litter box, showing his feelings about it.
Remove the smell.
The problem has already happened, the cat does not go to the litter box, but the situation can be solved. Kill even the thought of smell in the place where the animal is addicted to go "on business." You can use home remedies: bleach, vinegar, or you can go to a pet store and purchase a special remedy for such an occasion.
Install multiple toilets.
Relevant for large houses. The cat may not have time to go to the tray or is too lazy to go to it. Therefore, buy several trays and place them around the perimeter of your home.
We move the tray.
Your cat has got used to shit by, but in one place. Put a tray in this place, and over time, gradually move it in the direction you want.
We change the tray.
If all of the above has already been tried, and unexpected "gifts" all appear - think about changing the tray. It really helps in certain situations. For example, an older cat would rather go to a simple, low-sided litter box than a super trendy closed-type toilet.
We change the filler.
Some fillers, especially expensive ones, are impregnated with a fragrance that hides odors. It is convenient for humans, but a cat may think differently. It may not be the smell, but the granules themselves.
Watch.
Why the cat does not want to go to the litter box can watch her. Often the reason for the pet's unwillingness to live “like a human being” is right under your nose. But there is no time to notice the obvious, so watch.
Perfect option.
Show the cat to the door and present the tray for the trip. A joke, of course. Your best bet is to make the area that you don't want to give your cat to the toilet out of reach and / or unpleasant for her. Use everything - build barricades, buy deterrent spray, wipe the "bad" place with vinegar and bleach. Your task is to make the cat hate the toilet or forget about it. This, by the way, takes a couple of months.
Thanks to these tips, you not only were able to understand why the cat does not go to the litter box, but also learned how to deal with this problem. Stick to it and in no case use the method of threats and violence. It is a sad fact, but many cats and cats, and people too, are familiar with this practice of upbringing. In any case, if the pet has lost its cleanliness for one of the above reasons, screaming will obviously not correct it.
Remember! Cats and cats will never resist your perseverance and patience, and the joy of a full litter box will reward you for all your efforts.
