Expert: Jessica - 6/17/2010

Question
hello I am having a problem with one of my cats at the moment. I have 2 male cats, Alfie is 1year and 4months old and Willie is 10months old. Willie has started recently pooing on our sofa, he started by using our bed but i put a stop to it by keeping our bedroom doors closed and now he uses the sofa and its driving me crazy. I don't know why he is doing this or what triggered it off as he was absolutely fine using his litter tray before! I have been extra careful to make sure the litter tray is as clean as possible and now i just don't know what to do. can you please help me!! thank you

Answer
Hi Elaina.  Pooing outside the litter tray usually indicates that the cat objects to something about the litter tray.  It may be the location, the size of the tray, the depth of the litter, or the fact that he uses the same tray to urinate in, oddly enough.

To be on the safe side, it's probably wisest to have Willie to the vet first to rule out a physical problem that could be causing his behavior, such as constipation, or gas, which could indicate parasites.

But if he gets the all-clear, I would look closely at the litter tray.  I would strongly suggest adding a second and even a third box.  The rule of thumb is to have one box per cat, plus one extra.  The boxes should preferably be in different locations.  Try to make sure at least one box is extra large.  In fact, some studies suggest that no commercial litter tray is large enough for the average cat to use comfortably, and many people find that cement mixing tubs or under-bed storage boxes are preferred by their cats.  You may want to try a different type of litter.  Since covering stool requires more digging than covering urine does, cats might refuse to use the litter tray for defecation if they dislike the litter.  Most cats prefer unscented clumping litter.  Be sure it's at least 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) deep.  Also, try to choose locations that are in low-traffic areas but that are convenient for the cats to visit.

Occasionally, defecating outside the box can be a sign of anxiety or territorial behavior, but it is much more commonly expressed with urine marking.  If you have no success with adding some litter boxes, I would suggest discussing an anti-anxiety treatment with your vet.  There are several medications to choose from, including fluoxetine, amitriptyline and buspirone, and most cats can discontinue the treatment after only a few months.

Good luck!

Jessica