Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Why is Cat Pooping in Corner

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 9/30/2008


Question
I have a cat who is 9 years old and she always went to the bathroom in the kitty litter box, but now she poops and sometimes pees on the carpet in the dining area. We have 3 other cats and have no problems with them. Would you please explain why she would do this and how do I break her from this?

Thank you.

Answer
Mitch,

Your cat is 52 years old in human years and at that age things can start going wrong. She may have a urinary tract infection, arthritis which makes it hard for her to get into the litterbox, kitty Alzheimers, etc.

I would take her to a vet that is knowledgeable in geriatric cat care and conditions (not all vets are) and have an 'older cat checkup' done to check her thyroid, liver, kidneys, and overall condition.

Try a puppy pee pad next to the litterbox and see if she goes on that. Or try a large plastic container that has very low sides for a litterbox.

I would check for medical issues before dealing with her actions as a behavioral problem.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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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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