I have the same issue as Lisa and about to go nuts

[supernova]

Well it's similar. And I really don't know what to do.

I have five cats. Everybody's about 1.5 - 2.5 years old. Three males and two females. Everybody is fixed but one small female. She's my problem child. She is a very small, very shy (paranoid?) Tuxedo. Will tolerate being petted if she's already sitting, but don't come near her head. She thinks you're about to chop it off.

Since she is small the two younger males and the other female chase her. It's almost like they bully her. She has been my alpha male's girlfriend, and he does pay her special attention, but when the harrassment starts, he whistles dixie. Like Lisa, I try to spray the offenders with water when I see it, but I don't always so it's in consistent.

My problem though is the litterbox. Everybody has one, or so I thought. She apparently prefers going behind the washing machine. I. Can't. Get. Her. To. Stop. No amount of Nature's Miracle, Stupid Cat or other enzyme cleaners will remove this action on her part.

(I had the washing machine out to install a dryer vent and have not been able to put it back because I keep cleaning it because she keeps wetting it. IOW, I can't get to a time when it's also clean and dry. Luckily, it's a cement floor.

I'm worried that she might not be happy here. That she might be happier in a house where she's the only cat? I guess that's were I could use some advice.

edit: I've had her for close to two years, since she was a 4wk old kitten. So, we aren't strangers. I just wonder if a cat like this is suited to a multi cat house?

[Curmudgeoness]

1. I see a few issues here.

First, a four week old kitten was too young to be taken from the mother, although this just happens at times. But she may not have learned the whole litter box thing when she was young.

Also, she should be fixed. At this point in time, I don't know that this will change her bathroom behavior though since she has determined where her litter box is.

The reason she goes behind the washer could be because it is a protected place where she can't be ambushed by the bullies, and this may be why this is her litter choice.

I had a cat who just refused to use a litter box, no matter how many boxes I had or where they were located. And nothing that I did ever worked. I hope this is not the case for you because it is so much work and frustration. The only times I had no problem was when I put him in the bathroom with a litter box. It seemed that he didn't like squatting on tile and porcelain. But that was not a fix that worked after he was back out of the bathroom.

The last thing, are you sure this cat is healthy? No urinary infections? Anything that would cause it to be underweight?

It may be that this cat could be a good only cat, but a two year old shy cat with a history of not using a litter box is not going to find a home easily. Do you know anyone who would adopt her? If you talk to an adoption agency or shelter, be honest. I wish you luck.

[Lisa0825]

2. Hi supernova! So sorry you are dealing with similar issue too!

Question... is there a reason you haven't had her fixed? It is better for her health (lower incidence of cancers in spayed cats) and it does tend to lower the incidence of litter box issues. I have read many times that intact females will often urinate all over the house.

Here's something else... can you put her in a cage long enough to let the area be cleaned and dried and then make it so that she cannot get back there anymore? When we had litter box problems with Whiskerville cats or fosters, sometimes being in a large cage (big enough for a litter box plus, food water, and a place to curl up) for a couple days was enough to reinforce that waste only goes in the box, since her living space would be so small and she'd get that she doesn't want to "go" anywhere else but the box. If you got her fixed, that would be a good time to try it. If you don't have a cage, a local rescue might let you borrow one. You can get her fixed, bring her home, put her in the cage while she recovers and your floor dries out, and then after a couple days, let her out and see what she does.

This is similar to the ones we use, but we tie a milk crate to the top and put a small fleece bed in it, which acts as a loft over the litter box and gives a nice place to nap.

http://www.petco.com/product/13372/PETCO-Premium-2-Door-Dog-Crates.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch

Also, sometimes a recovery (from illness or surgery) can give you a chance to bond. Granted it didn't work with Fabi and me, but it did work for Chance. ESPECIALLY when they are still very groggy from pain meds. Cuddle, cuddle, cuddle while she is high and see if she forgets in the fog to put up resistance.