Expert: Ali - 6/11/2009

Question
I myself have been owned by many different cats throughout my life and am the owner of 3 cats and am the onwer of Purrty Paws Cattery, which is a cat boarding facility. Knowing as much as I do about cats and loving them, there's still things I don't know as probably all experts feel that way sometimes. Here's one question: Why; when after cleaning the litter boxes, the boxes being big, and new, or old, do some cats still not manage to poop INTO the litter box? I've tried everything I've ever heard of, and have come to the conclusion that they just don't care as much as I do. Or?
Another question; Someone asked me once, why their cat didn't like the bed washed out? Every time they washed the bed, the cat would wait a few days before going back to sleep in the bed, no matter how they washed it, no matter what detergent they used, and even if they just simply vacummed it without washing. Every time the cat would sulk for a few days. Any idea what he's trying to say there? Especially since most cats like it clean?.

Answer
Hilda,

As I'm sure you're aware cats can be finicky little beings, it's quite possible that the behaviors you've described are just quirks that some cats have, however it's worth trying a few different things to see if they make a difference. There are many different reasons why cats can poop just outside of the litter box - it may be as simple as the fact that these cats want one litter box to urinate in and one to defecate in. The litter box woes can sometimes be related to the type of kitty litter being used. Some cats don't like newspaper/pine pellets, silica beads, traditional non clumping litter or anything with a strong scent to it. Other issues that can cause accidental litter box mishaps like pooping outside of the box can be related to the actual size, type and location of a litter pan. You might find the information about litter box issues on the following web site interesting: catinfo.org. This website was created by a veterinarian who wants to educate pet parents about providing their feline friends with the best possible nutrition and litter box issues.

As for cats not liking their cat bed vaccummed or washed entirely I suspect that's got to do with the territorial nature of cats. Most cats are very territorial and they use their own scent to mark important places and objects, when we wash or vaccuum their possessions we change the amount of their scent on the bed which is upsetting to them. I've found that using a lint brush can be less offensive to cats rather than vaccuuming or using detergent to wash their bed....It's a thought, and who knows it might just work. You may find that gently rubbing the cat down with a towel, removing the cat fur from their bed with a lint brush then rubbing the cat's scent back onto the bed might reduce the sulking and pouting with this kitty. You may also find that adding a pinch of organic catnip to the bed after cleaning it is well received. It's quite possible that this cat just doesn't want anyone touching things that belong to this kitty and messing up the amount of the cat's individual scent that's on the bed and nothing you'll do will help to reduce his tendency to sulk and pout after his bed is cleaned.