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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/cat pooping
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Question
Hi
My housemate's cat is very very bonded to her. When she goes away, Max consistently poops in the house,sometimes in my bathroom, despite a nice big cat box that he does not seem to want to use. He also does it when she doesn't go away. He has a thryoid problem, and just had radiation. He also throws up. I'm losing tolerance. she is a good housemate.
I would like to know how to handle this behavior.
Your wisdom is appreciated.
Thanks, Katherine
Katherine,
I would put a litterbox in your bathroom and the places he goes. The cat pooping when your housemate leaves is a common reaction because the cat is upset about it.
Having radiation, the cat will experience the same effects as a human does which includes vomiting. I would speak to the vet and see if he can give the cat some medication to counteract the vomiting and defecating due to the thyroid problem and radiation.
Tabbi
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Answers by Expert:
Dear Tabbi
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.
Experience
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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* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
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