How to introduce a 4 year old cat to his litter box?

[cuz]

My cat buried himself in his litter box the 1st day I adopted him(Last Sat 7/30), there was no litter in it just the pee pad(adoption lady said his previous owner used pee pad). then on 2nd day, he no longer stayed there since as he has found another hideout-- under the bed. the next day he's been going in this area in the room on my hunter green carpet three times at 3 diff. places.

Other clues might be helpful: his front paws were declawed...maybe that's y he uses pee pad?
1. i moved the box to the room where he goes should i move the poop into the box so he knows he needs to go there?

2. how to introduce the box he's supposed to go there instead of carpet?

3. the cat still cautious around me i want to buy some wipes to wipe his legs, he smells like poop! he wont let me touch him anywhere but he let me pet his face and back and tail.

4. how do i introduce him to litter? the poop smells, i perfer litter it should absorb the smell a bit, but he's been using pee pad.

5. I only learn that cats go in litter box, do they have to go in a box? can i just lay the pad on the carpet and he'll still go?

 

[Mika]

It's understandable that your cat is nervous about being in a new environment. Shelter environments can be very stressful, especially if the cats are near all of the barking dogs. Because your cat is older he may take a little longer than a young cat to adjust, learn to trust you and feel confident about where he's supposed to toilet. Let him chill under the bed and don't force him to do anything, but I would try laying on the floor next to the bed and trying to gradually gain his trust. Cats often interpret human stares as a threat, so be sure to look away and blink often (this works with many animals). A slow blink is basically a sign of affection in your cat's language, so if you slow blink at him and he decides to slow blink back you're off to a great start.

I agree with moving the poop to the litter box. It will help him figure out where he needs to go because cats (and again, many other animals) are much more likely to toilet somewhere if they can smell that they've used that place before. Following this logic, you must make sure that anywhere where your cat accidentally toilets is cleaned very thoroughly. If you don't think that your current cleaning supplies are up to the task there are many products at any pet store that will help mask the odor.

In my opinion, pee pads are a horrible idea unless you are in the very beginning stages of potty training a puppy, and even then it's better not to use them. I commend you for even thinking of accommodating that, but your cat can certainly learn to use a litter box. If you are currently offering him pee pads I would move them from their current location gradually closer to the litter box (over a couple days). Eventually get them into the litter box and then take them away.

There may be other reasons why your cat is reluctant to use the litter box, such as it being to dirty (probably not the case if he isn't using it) or too small. Some cats also don't like certain types of litter. Try using different size cardboard boxes (to avoid buying extra litter boxes) and different types of litter (even dirt or leaves from outside perhaps). Also, try confining your cat to a small area (this should be done after initially bringing them home anyway), preferably a bathroom. This way accidents will be more contained, and in a bathroom they should be easier to clean up. You can even spread out some newspaper (if you can still find newspaper these days) to help with clean up.

I have to add that while a litter box is infinitely better than pee pads, it is still disgusting. They are dirty, smelly, a hassle to clean and leave your cat's contaminated paws free to roam all over you, your clean counters, bed, etc. Fortunately, there is in fact another option that will leave you, your cat and your home happier and healthier. It may sound crazy at first, but it is possible and actually fairly easy to train a cat to use a human toilet. My kitten figured it out in less than a month but even older cats that are used to litter are usually pros within two months. Then all you have to do is occasionally flush the toilet. I can't recommend it highly enough. However, the process switches them from litter to a toilet so first you would have to teach your cat to use litter rather than your carpet.

Best of luck with your new cat. I hope he gets comfortable in his new home soon and learns to love his very patient owner!

 

[Sasha]

usually it just takes some time. but idk another thing that works, that doesn't seem to necessarily be nice, but when he goes in your room or a place you don't want him to go, you grab his face (nicely and just stick his nose in his business then stick it into the cat box with the litter. This worked with my cats when they did it wrong, i don't do it anymore it was like a 3 time thing and he learned. iv seen a lot of people do this with their cats and dogs, just remember to be patient and don't be rough, be gentle.

hope i helped

 

[Valerie A]

Hi, yes he should go on the pee pad if it is placed in the place that he had chosen to use on your carpet. You can spread pee pads around that whole area where he has been pooping. Soon I think he will choose one of the areas. WHich isnt the worst thing. at least its on the pad not the rug. DOnt give up on the box training though. Especially since he is new to your house.
Is your litter box in a quiet hidden place near where he likes to go? Cats like to hide when they do their business. And do make sure his food and water place is not anywhere near his litmassageplanetox area, cats dont like using a box placed near their food. Some folks set up a sort of "cat care area" with it all in the same place and then Kitty starts not using box.
Chances are that when he was declawed, the vet said to use newspaper or pee pads as litter would go into the wounds on his paws and hurt and infect them. That is how the cat got in the habit of using the pads I would think
After you get him to use a pee pad in his chosen spot, try throwing a few grains of litter on top of the pee pad. Do it when the pad is already wet with pee so he will return to the spot. There is a litter called Cedarific that is not clay it is from cedar. You could try a bit of that. OR experiment with different litters. Just a tiny bit at first on the pad. There is a litter called "cat attract" that has a scent that attracts them to the right spot. It is expensive but remember you will be using very little . I havent used it but knew ppl that swear by it for training purposes. Then add a bit of it to regular litter until the cat knows where to go.
Dont use a litter box with a cover. Many cats feel trapped inside one, and wont use it.
Thank you for caring about this kitty. with time and patience things should get better.
TO bond him to you , make sure you speak sweetly and softly in a high voice to him WHILE HE IS EATING. as often as you can. Offer him treats and do the same WHILE HE EATS them. that way he comes to associate your voice with good things.
It is not "buying" his love. It is just letting him know you care about him and mean well for him. Most weddings and celebrations and dates. include food in every culture. It shows we care.
Good luck. This kitty went through a traumatic surgery. Declawing hurts.A long time. He still remembers. Give him time. love and patience and he will do very well . I am glad you have him. Things should get better with the poop in time.Sounds like hes still very nervous.. God bless. I wish you and Kitty a long happy life together. Take care. PS NOT a good idea to "stick his nose in it". at ALL. It will just make him fear you. Of course he wont like it but his brain wont make the connection as to why his new friend (you) is abusing him. That is an old time belief and never worked for any one I knew. Its nasty and dangerous. If the cat inhales even a speck of the poop into his lungs he will die of a massive infection. IDK about the cat owner who suggested this. Hard hearted and dangerous thing to do. Oh to wipe him down, get an old hand towel. or face cloth. Wring it out in warm water. just Quickly fast as you can do a quick wipe of the paws. He is sensitive to paws touched cause of the declaw. so dont make too big a deal of it, if you just cant he will eventually lick his paws clean.. but you can try it. Dont use anything that is scented. it will scare him. or no soap either. bad taste will scare him and you dont want that right now .

 

[omnivorous]

get a dog.