Expert: Norman Auspitz - 12/20/2009

Question
QUESTION: My fiance has an older male cat. The cat continues to urinate in the litter box; but in the past 4-5 months it has stoped deficating in the litter box and started deficating outside the litter box. She has tried all the suggested remedies: took the cat to the vets, no medical problem; cleaned and disinfected the whole area; used two litter boxes, cleans the litter box daily, confined the cat to an area with water, food and his bed, same problem; tried shredded news paper. Nothing works. What should we do next?

ANSWER: Kenneth,

How old is your cat?  Sometimes geriatric cats (older than 10 yeasr old) do that sort of thing?!?!?!?!

Is the poop normal (i.e. hard, dark brown, tootsie roll consistency)?  If so, it is probably not medical and there is a behavioral issue.  Changing brands and types of litter may only exacerbate the problem.  What you might try is "Cat Attract" litter and see if that helps the problem.

I am also giving you a link to a series of articles on feline litter box problems that also may help:

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

Also, try cleaning any area where he has pooped inappropriately with an enzyme based cleaner specifically for pet stains and pet odors (available from most pet supermarkets or farm stores).

Best regards.... Norm.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the help Norm.
The cat is older than 10 years. The poop looks normal. We did the cleaning you suggested several times over the past 2-3 months. That did not solve the problem. Also, the cat's front paws were declawed before we picked it up at the shelter.
We will try the cat attract litter. Any other suggestions?

ANSWER: Kenneth,

Did you follow the link to the articles?  There may be some useful comments in there!

Best regards... Norm.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Norm
The web site you referred me to, no longer exists.
Do you have an updated site?

Answer
Kenneth,

That is a bummer!!!!!!!!!  I am going to have to find another one. I have done numerous searches on litter box, litterboxhelp, and the like and have not found anything like the site I had seen before.  I am going to go back to my original source and see if she has any suggestions.

Seasonal regards... Norm.