Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/cat defecating on foor

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 5/13/2008


Question
Hi
Our cat keeps defecating on the floor next to her kitty litter tray.  She is happy to urinate in the tray but not defecate. We don't understand her behavior as she always  did it without fail. Any ideas.  Thanks very much!

Answer
Samatha,

There could be a number of reasons the cat is doing that. A lot of times it is their way of telling you that they are upset at you--or something in the household. You don't mention the cat's age but if it an elderly cat that behavior could be part of the aging process.

Is there a stray cat she can see out the window but can't get to? Is the litterbox in an open area? Some cats prefer privacy. Try moving the box to another area. Are you not playing with her or giving her as much attention as you used to?

Try a bigger litterbox with deeper litter. Try changing brands of litter or try some children's play sand one time. You can get it at Home Depot or other building supply store.

You may want to have the vet check her for a medical issue. If she has something medically wrong and has pain when she defecates in the litterbox she may go elsewhere because she would associate that pain with the litterbox. The cat may also have worms or intestinal parasites.

Here are some links that should be helpful also regarding improper elimination: (copy and paste, or type the whole link into your address bar)

http://www.geocities.com/heartland/pointe/9352/litterboxhelp.html

http://cats.about.com/cs/behavioralissues/a/outsidebox_two.htm

I hope this information helps.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

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Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

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