Expert: Dear Tabbi - 3/25/2009

Question
I have a domestic short hair cat that is 4 years old.  He is overweight which we have had success in losing some weight by locking him into a room at feeding time then taking the dish up after 20 minutes.  However, the last month he started defecation on our furniture and outside on our lania which he never did.  His vet check up was good with no problems.  He shares a box with our other cat which for years has not been a problem.  He still uses his litter box but not all the time.  I don't know what to do or why he is doing this.  Many people have told us once the cats start doing this you can't break it and they have to be put down. I cannot do that....Please help.

Answer
Joyce,

A cat always has a reason for improper elimination. And no, you do NOT have to put the cat down because of it. And he will NOT continue if you can find the reason that is causing it and eliminate it.

There are many possible reasons for his behavior. Your weightloss program may be upsetting his insides. A sudden change in dietary habits can upset their system. And, sometimes cats, like some people, are big boned and look overweight, but they really aren't'. You should have a vet put him on a special diet if he's really overweight, not just take away his food. Make him exercise more. A pet laser light is excellent for getting a cat to play. He may have worms too also.

Cats will defecate improperly if they are upset or stressed about something in their environment.

Since I cannot put all the information in this reply, I am including some links to good articles about improper elimination. Please read them. They will have good information that you should find helpful in dealing with the kitten's behavior.
(copy and paste or type the whole links into your address bar)

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

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

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

I hope this help.

Tabbi