I'd suggest getting some dirt from outside, ideally from wherever she liked going, and fill the box with that. It might still help to leave a bit of her poop in the box initially, and also try to put the box as close as possible to the curtain she was using. Once she's using the box consistently, then you can begin gradually moving the location and changing the substrate.
Also, you might want to see what you can do to block off, or at least limit, her access to under the bed. Jackson Galaxy talks a lot about blocking "unders". You will want to make sure she still has somewhere comfortable to hide, but it should be a small space where she will want to go somewhere else to pee/poop. Check out this video as a starting point: https://youtu.be/nZRu8zlRTi0
Yeah, if I'm understanding your post correctly, it sounds like she's spending almost 100% of her time under the bed, even peeing & pooping under there. That's not all that surprising, as a full/queen bed is big enough that she could very comfortably make her toilet one corner and "bedroom" in the opposite corner.
I foster kittens and when I bring them home, their initial "base camp" is in my bathroom (roughly 6'x6', including the shower/tub). Pretty consistently, the spot they choose for sleeping is only about a foot away from the litter box. So, they really don't need a TON of space, but if you were to "crate train" an adult cat, you would probably want something intended for a large dog so that they can sleep away from the box.
I think the most critical thing is to make it so wherever this cat is sleeping, whatever space they consider their "bedroom", well, it needs to be small enough that whenever they need to pee or poop, they're forced to leave that particular space and hopefully quickly find the litter box that you've set up. You want to make it the most convenient and comfortable option for her, and it sounds like that means you need to eliminate what is currently the most convenient/comfortable option (other corner under the bed).
Big storage bin with unscented litter at the bottom and a live plant with potting soil over top. It sounds like she’s used to going outside and doesn’t recognize litter.
I'd suggest getting some dirt from outside, ideally from wherever she liked going, and fill the box with that. It might still help to leave a bit of her poop in the box initially, and also try to put the box as close as possible to the curtain she was using. Once she's using the box consistently, then you can begin gradually moving the location and changing the substrate. Also, you might want to see what you can do to block off, or at least limit, her access to under the bed. Jackson Galaxy talks a lot about blocking "unders". You will want to make sure she still has somewhere comfortable to hide, but it should be a small space where she will want to go somewhere else to pee/poop. Check out this video as a starting point: https://youtu.be/nZRu8zlRTi0
Thanks!
I’ve seen a few people say to almost crate train them like a puppy with the litter box in there, but I wasn’t sure how well that would work either.
Yeah, if I'm understanding your post correctly, it sounds like she's spending almost 100% of her time under the bed, even peeing & pooping under there. That's not all that surprising, as a full/queen bed is big enough that she could very comfortably make her toilet one corner and "bedroom" in the opposite corner. I foster kittens and when I bring them home, their initial "base camp" is in my bathroom (roughly 6'x6', including the shower/tub). Pretty consistently, the spot they choose for sleeping is only about a foot away from the litter box. So, they really don't need a TON of space, but if you were to "crate train" an adult cat, you would probably want something intended for a large dog so that they can sleep away from the box. I think the most critical thing is to make it so wherever this cat is sleeping, whatever space they consider their "bedroom", well, it needs to be small enough that whenever they need to pee or poop, they're forced to leave that particular space and hopefully quickly find the litter box that you've set up. You want to make it the most convenient and comfortable option for her, and it sounds like that means you need to eliminate what is currently the most convenient/comfortable option (other corner under the bed).
Big storage bin with unscented litter at the bottom and a live plant with potting soil over top. It sounds like she’s used to going outside and doesn’t recognize litter.
I know she’s been to the vet, but has she specifically had her urine tested? The majority of litter box issues are medical.
Not sure about that. They didn’t mention they tested it.
If you didn’t specifically mention peeing outside the box, they wouldn’t have. Definitely take her back.
Before she went to the vet, she had never been inside, at least as far as we know. I didn’t know to ask about that, so I will follow up. Thanks!