Ideas to get cat to use litterbox

Hey folks,

Any ideas to help with this situation would be appreciated.

In mid June I trapped a cat as part of a TTVAR program in a large colony on the campus of a state hospital. The cat was fixed by the vet, but was far too weak to be released. (In fact, had I known what kind of shape she was in before the surgery, I would probably have asked that she be put to sleep). She is quite boney and apparently weighed just 3.5 pounds at the time of surgery, despite being a full grown adult.

So, I stuck her in a cage in my garage, with the hope of (a) having her recover from the surgery, and (b) gaining sufficient weight that she has reasonable prospects for survival if and when I release her. The cage is 3'x2'x2' (approx), and has a towel for her to sleep on, a small litterbox, and an area for her food and water.

The problem is she has absolutely no interest in the litterbox, despite it being literally right there. She's strong enough to get in, but consistently pees and poops on the towel she has to sleep on. In the first couple of weeks it was particularly bad as she had diarrhea, and was just covered in the stuff. (A good thing she is not actually feral, as I've had to give her two baths). I've tried two different types of litter in the box - she started off on Swheat Scoop, which I use for my own cats, and this week I've replaced it with Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract litter. No interest at all in either of them. The box has been placed on either side of the cage, and she always uses the OTHER side, so it doesn't seem like it's an issue of the location of the box being objectionable to her.

Anyway, because this cat has a tame disposition, and because I am concerned about her survival prospects if she is returned to the colony, it would be nice to have someone adopt her. There is someone who works at the campus who might be interested in adopting her, but obviously she needs to be litter trained before I can expect anyone to take her.

Any ideas?

CC by email appreciated, it's been a while since I've been a regular in these parts.

Followups set to rpc.h+b

Thanks,

What - you mean Jan can't solve this one for you?

It has been my experience that some cats when contained in a small space will contiunally use the towel instead of the box - it is just a preference. I would try putting the cat in an enclosed small room - such as a bathroom, and keeping the litter box secluded and away from any food. You will find that the cat will probably preferrentially use the litter box.

Good luck,

try sand instead of litter.

This is horrible. My old dad (now passed) taught us how to train a cat for outside dodo's. Its a game, they hide it in the house, say behind a chair, when you find it be nice, fuss them// but put it right next to there food on another plate, if you can stand it. Your cats will think you very strange. Next time they will hide it further away. Eventually they will hide it in the litter / sand pit out side, where you cant find it, then you stop. My mogs use litter at night when they are trapped in doors, and out side in day time.... so no pussycat dung under my finger nails.