Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/My cats having problems

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 3/1/2009


Question
I have a white Siamese mix cat. He is healthy and fit, but all of the sudden he is going to the bathroom on the couch. He has a litter box(actually two since we have three cats)and we haven't changed his food or his litter. Nothing has changed we didn't do anything differently, but for the last two days he has been pooping on the couch. I don't know what to do he is fine he isn't stressed or anything. He is scared to go to the bathroom because the other cats. Since he is the biggest cat we have(about 12lbs) he isn't scared of anything. Can you help me I don't know whats causing this or how to stop it. :(

Answer
Christin,

It may be a medical problem instead of a behavioral issue. He may have worms, have intestinal or bowel problems, etc. You may want to have him checked by a vet.

Is he neutered? Even if he is, if he can see stray cats out the window (is there one behind the couch?) he may be reacting to them and it can be stressing him if he can't get to them to defend his territory.

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 helps.

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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