AboutAli Expertise I cannot offer medical advice, after all, I am not a veterinarian! I can help you introduce your resident cat to your new feline friend. I can offer suggestions on dealing with common behavioral issues. If you are wondering how to choose the best food to feed your feline friend I would recommend that you do your own research. Things aren't always as they seem when it comes to the pet food industry, and doing your own research allows you to be sure you are providing the best nutrition possible your cat. I can help you understand your cat's basic needs so that you can meet them. Cats must have interaction and stimulation. Being able to train your cat means finding out what motivates them. Cats all vary in personality, energy level and intelligence just as people do. An intelligent, high energy cat with a mischievous personality must be kept occupied or they will make their own fun even if you aren't fond of their choice of entertainment. I have fostered several cats and kittens. I have experience in dealing with some special needs cats including helping to regain the trust of abused and abandoned cats. I have rescued a number of strays and I can offer tips on how to trap, neuter, vaccinate and release cats in feral colonies and rehabilitate strays to find them loving forever homes. Currently I own 3 cats ranging in age from 3 to 9 years of age. My oldest cat has ongoing kidney issues so I`m willing to offer limited suggestions on this topic. For behavioral issues that I lack experience in I am willing to consult the staff at my family veterinary clinic, however I am unable to provide medical advice so if you have a cat that is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment administered by a qualified vet.
Experience I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed the cats that most people recommended euthanasia for. I am the proud pet guardian of three wonderful cats. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up.
Education/Credentials No related education.
You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Cats > Cats > Cat sometimes poops outside litterbox..sometimes in it.
Expert: Ali Date: 7/22/2008 Subject: Cat sometimes poops outside litterbox..sometimes in it.
Question So I have two cats. And I have noticed that the older cat sometimes will poop outside the little box every couple of days. He only does it once, but its becoming a bad habit that my roommates do not like. Do you have any suggestions on how to fix it? I just moved to the apartment about 2 mths ago and he has more room to roam. He doesn't pee or poop anywhere else in the house. Why is he doing it? How can I stop it? Right now I am using multiple cat ScoopAway and the Crystals for smell...suggestions?
Answer Sasha,
My first recommendation in these situations is always to take your cat to the vet for a complete physical exam to rule out any medical causes for the behavior. It isn't a bad idea to have a complete blood panel done to see how all of his internal organs are functioning and to rule out the possibility that anything abnormal is going on. It is fairly common for cats to go to the washroom outside of the box if they have any pain while urinating or defecating because they learn to associate the litter box with pain. The longer that your cat uses places other than the litter box to go to the toilet for medical reasons the harder it will be to alter the behavior.
I would suggest that you consider using an enzymatic cleaner to
permanently remove the smell of urine from the floor. Enzymatic cleaners don't just cover the smell, they use beneficial bacteria to destroy the components of biological substances such as urine, feces, and vomit that create the unpleasant odor. I have found a reasonably priced enzymatic cleaner that is very effective called Petzyme. If you are having trouble finding enzymatic cleaners in the cat section of large pet store chains I would advise that you try the dog section. If you aren't able to find Petzyme try to find an enzymatic cleaner with a citrus scent which will deter your cat by removing the odor as well as by smelling like citrus fruit.
If your cat isn't neutered defecating outside of the litter box may be a territorial issue. If this is the case a combination of cleaning areas that he has soiled thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner and having him neutered should be effective in changing his behavior. It is important to realize that spaying and neutering saves millions of lives worldwide every year. Spaying and neutering prevents unwanted litters from being born and prevents unwanted behaviors such as urinating or defecating outside of the litter box which often results in cats being euthanized. Desexing a cat also has medical benefits such as preventing ovarian and testicular cancers and substantially reducing the risk for prostate and mammary
gland tumors.
If your vet finds no medical reason for your cat to be defecating
outside of the box there are a number of behavioral causes for this behavior. If you are using a scented kitty litter or an air freshener close to the litter box your cat may be sensitive to scents in the same way that people are. If you are using a non clumping kitty litter your cat may be uncomfortable with the type of litter and switching to an unscented clumping litter may be all that is required to stop your cat from going to the toilet outside of the litter box. Clumping kitty litters are made from a variety of substances and if you are using an unscented clumping clay litter you can try litters made from other substances.
It isn't a bad idea to try using a product called Feliway which is
sometimes effective in discouraging cats from going to the toilet outside of the litter box. Feliway is a chemical based product that closely imitates the pheromones that your cat would leave behind after rubbing the sides of his face on something to mark it with his scent. Cats usually don't urinate or defecate in places where they have already left the scent of their pheromones. You won't be able to smell it and it is available in plug in or spray and lasts up to a month. Pheromone based products are usually safe to apply on floors, furniture or other places that your kitty may soil outside of the litter box.
If your kitty's litter box issues are behavioral in nature they can be corrected. The best tools you can use in correcting a litter box
problem are patience, consistency and commitment, without those none of the other treatments will work. In cases where the usual remedies for going outside the box don't work it is possible for your vet to prescribe medications that are usually quite effective. It is important that you realize that many of the medications that are commonly prescribed to change unpleasant toileting habits in cats are small doses of human anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medicines. If your cat requires the use of these medications it is important that you take the time to ask questions about the potential side effects and risks.
There are many reasons that cats will use the toilet outside of the
litter box. Cats are very clean and they dont want to get dirty so it is quite common for them to begin going outside of the box if the litter box isnt cleaned at least once a day. I always recommend that you have one litter box per cat plus one to prevent cats in the household from keeping other cats out of the box. Unfortunately cats arent able to hold their bladder or bowels indefinitely and they will eventually resort to going outside of the box in situations where they arent able to use the box. Some cats are not comfortable with changes in the texture of their litter, some are sensitive to perfumes and dyes used in some litters. If you have recently changed your usual brand of litter this may be the issue. If you have made significant changes in your household such as moving or adding a new pet or person to the household your cat may be anxious about the changes. If you are renovating and there are people in your home making noise and rushing about your cat may be anxious and fearful, especially if the folks working on your home are between his hiding place and the litter box. If your schedule has recently changed for any reason your cat may be upset with the change in his life, especially if you are suddenly spending less time with him. As I
mentioned before, medical issues that cause discomfort when he urinates or defecates will often cause the cat to associate the litter box with his discomfort and force him to look for a less painful place to eliminate. If your cat is uncomfortable getting into or out of the litter box or the size/design make him uncomfortable that may be another possible explanation for the behavior. If your cat is currently using a hooded box you may find that taking the lid off will encourage him to use the box again. It is important that the area the litter boxes are in is quiet, private and easily accessible. If the cats food and water dishes are in the same area as the litter box that may be a contributing factor in his behavior because cats are very clean and they dont like to eliminate where they eat and vice versa.
I do hope that you have found this information helpful. If you have any further questions, concerns, or you would simply like to send an
update my way please dont hesitate to contact me again.
