It's 19 degrees outside and sweet kitty will not use litter box, help!

December 22, 2022 6:48 PM

I'm in Austin where it rarely gets this cold, it's also very windy, so windchill is probably like 5 Fahrenheit or something. I'm house- and cat-sitting for a friend who is out of the country. Kitty, sweet older female, is used to going outside to do her business but it's too cold.

My friend has a litter box and clean new litter, we've agreed that I will not let her outside in this weather. How can I convince her to use the litter box. I've tried moving it to dark corners, I've tried raking it so she hears the interesting sound. I've gently plunked her in it, but no go. Please help!

posted by mareli to Pets & Animals (12 answers total)

Do you have any potting soil or sand you could add to the litter or even replace the litter with? That could tempt an outdoor cat that's used to going outside.
posted by Eyelash at 7:02 PM on December 22, 2022 [1 favorite]

I think the answer here may be that you can lead a cat to litter....
Sometimes when they're stressed they don't use it as much--I'm thinking of car trips. I don't want to minimize but I don't think maybe there's a lot you can do.
posted by less-of-course at 7:04 PM on December 22, 2022

Cats can hold their pee a surprisingly long time when stressed. If shes gone within a day, leave her and the box alone and see if there is pee in the morning.
posted by AlexiaSky at 7:07 PM on December 22, 2022 [4 favorites]

I'd just leave her alone. She may hold her pee, she may use the box later when you're not watching, or she may decide to go somewhere you don't want her to go. Either way, there's pretty much no getting a cat to go pee on demand - especially a stressed out one who can't go outside and who has a new human in her space. Patience is key here.
posted by cgg at 7:11 PM on December 22, 2022 [3 favorites]

I’d recommend not moving it around anymore—you’ll want her to recall exactly where it is the moment she needs it.
posted by kapers at 7:50 PM on December 22, 2022 [5 favorites]

I would hedge your bets by putting down some puppy pee pads. Place them liberally, around the litter box but also in corners of rooms she feels safe and by the door she normally uses to go out. Dirt in the litter box won’t hurt, and it might help. You could minimize the need for pee pads by confining her to a smaller area of the home, maybe a master bedroom with en-suite?

Mostly though she probably doesn’t feel safe going while you’re hovering. She knows where and what the litter box is. Put it in one spot that has at least one side against a wall, preferably two, and don’t move it. Set it on a large mat so if she goes beside it you just need to wash the mat. Make sure it’s at least across the room from her food and water, if not farther away. Then give her lots of space and alone time.
posted by Mizu at 7:52 PM on December 22, 2022 [3 favorites]

Also I know I posted eariler but just to reassure you, cats can hold their pee well over 24 hours (up to 48 or so is the google answer) safely. It's quite possible she'll just stroll outside tomorrow afternoon when the temperatures are a little less cold (30!) and definately less windy and just do her thing outside.
posted by AlexiaSky at 8:34 PM on December 22, 2022 [1 favorite]

If you are worried about her peeing on carpet, you could shut her and the litterbox in an easily cleaned room like a bathroom or a laundry.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 9:51 PM on December 22, 2022 [2 favorites]

My experience with moving house with my litter box-using cat is that I “teach” her where the box is by putting her in it, she gives me a disgusted look and walks away, and later when I’m not looking she uses it. I’d leave the box in place and let her use it when she wants to.
posted by tchemgrrl at 5:00 AM on December 23, 2022 [2 favorites]

We switched our cats’ litter from clay to pine pellets and after 2 very worrisome days or no bathrooming, this litter attractant had them interested and using the box within seconds of application.
posted by defreckled at 5:24 AM on December 23, 2022 [3 favorites]

I second the Dr. Elsie's litters (with the attractant). That is how we got our cat to start not just using but often preferring the litter box to the great outdoors. Another key was finding the right location, but it sounds like you have already done that.
posted by nanook at 5:52 AM on December 23, 2022 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: We made it through the night, she still hasn't used the box and is now gallivanting around the yard. Thank you all for your suggestions and reassurances, I haven't had a cat of my own in a very long time. Maybe this afternoon when it's a little warmer I'll go see if the local pet supply store has that litter attractant stuff.
posted by mareli at 7:36 AM on December 23, 2022 [4 favorites]