Expert: Dear Tabbi - 7/6/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
  I have a kitten who used to use the litter box, but now she won't,well at least not to poop in.She'll go under desks, any furniture she can get under basically.But she really likes going behind the dining room table. I just don't know what to do. Someone said stick her nose in it and then put her in the litter box ,but that hasn't worked and I've tried cleaning it up and then wiping the area down with vinegar.It seems like nothing will stop her.I'm really embarrassed to have people over because the house smells like cat poop.My Grandpa and I have had her for a while. So she should be used to it.What should I do to prevent her from using it all over the house?

ANSWER: NeTasha

Never put their nose in it! That does not teach them anything except to try to hide it better. When a cat defecates inappropriately there is always a reason. She is telling you something is wrong or something is upsetting her That is the only way she knows how to tell you. Sometimes you need to be a detective to find out why she is doing it.

When there is a change in a cat's elimination habits it is always good to be on the safe side and check for a medical issue relating the cat's behavior before addressing it as a behavioral problem. Intestinal parasites and constipation are among the possibilies that could cause improper elimination. If it is painful when he uses the litterbox she will go elsewhere because she would associate the pain with the litterbox.

Sometimes cats don't like where their litterbox is located. It may be too much in the open. Some cats like more privacy. Try moving the box somewhere else, and get a 2nd litterbox. They also may decide they don't like the litter you are using, or the litterbox becomes too small for their liking. As cats grow they need more room and don't want to get in a litterbox that they feel is too confining and they don't want to get their feet 'dirty'. Try getting some children play sand from Home Depot or a building supply store and see if he prefers that, plus get bigger litterbox with deeper litter in it.

She could be missing having a companion kitty to play with, comfort him, and keep her company. Ideally you should get 2 kittens so they can comfort each other, play kitty games together, learn together, and be companionship for each other.

Here are some links to articles about improper elimination that may  be helpful: (copy and paste, or type, the whole links into your address bar)

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

http://www.apbc.org.uk/article10.htm

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

I hope this helps.

Tabbi

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well we know that she had worms so we've been treating her for that.But even before we found out she was using the litter box.We have a total of four cats. They all seem to get along and we know they like the kitten because all of them clean and play with her.As for the litter box it should be big enough we could fit like four of her in it. we already have two and one is the kind with the lid. We got that one for one of the other cats because she didn't like being out in the open.We try to give her love but every time we go to pick her up she runs.I just don't know what to do.I'm worried.

Answer
NeTasha,

Hmmmm. It is possible that one of the other cats ambushed her when she was using the litterbox so she is afraid now to use it. It could only have been in play, but that would affect the kitten. If it didn't happen when she was urinating then she wouldn't associte it with that and still use the litterbox.

Was she a feral kitten? They can be lovable, follow you around, lay next to you BUT they do not like to be held. That is why she may run from you.

It probably would be good a good ide to take her to the vet for a checkup to rule out a medical issue causing her behavior.

Tabbi