Expert: Dear Tabbi - 9/16/2008

Question
Hello Tabbi. My new kitten (I would say 10-11 weeks) poops in the litter box very well, but after i change the litter, he does not want to go in it. He will poop on the floor, and after I put it in the litter box to reinforce the training, then he will use it again.  Do you have ideas on why he does this and how i can fix it? Thanks so much!

Answer
Kelly,

Sometimes a cat/kitten is the only one who knows the reason why he does something. Your kitten's litterbox behavior is not a common problem, and may just be a quirk of the kitten.

Some cats have strange quirks. I have one that won't let you pet her unless she has a toy in her mouth. Another won't get on the bed or stay in the house unless I am in bed, then he will come and sleep with me and stay in. Another won't eat until another cat smells the food. She will sit and stare at it until she thinks someone else wants it THEN she will eat. I could go on about cat quirks. You are not alone.

A kitten should have a friend for company, companionship, and for learning. They learn from each other. You may want to get a friend for your kitten about his same age and temperment. It's easier to take care of two than one because it takes the pressure off of you to keep him amused and entertained AND he may learn correct 'litterbox protocol from another kitten.

I am pretty sure that the cat will grow out that behavior as he matures. Meanwhile, I would leave a little pile of poop in the litterbox as long as your kitten has whatever it is in his mind that tells him not to poop in a clean litterbox.

Tabbi