Expert: Karen Craft - 7/28/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hello--We adopted our Siamese-mix,'Rolex',from a shelter a little over a year ago-he was 4 months old. Everythings been great until about 3/4 months ago,then he started pooping just outside his box. (His box is in our spare bathroom,theres no loud noises,no other animals,etc. I've owned/shown cats most of my life,and have never had such an issue! I admit,though, that I may be part of the problem now that I look back on it.We had to buy a different kind of litter a few times due to finances,I'm also guilty of not scooping his box daily,but I don't ever let his box get 'gross'! I did buy a different box for him-bigger and 'corner-shaped'.That did'nt help.I've also cleaned the areas on the linoleum with bleach,as I know they'll keep going there if they can still smell it.I still don't scoop his box daily,and i'm working on that! But, it baffles me why he was always so good about using his box before,even if it WAS less than tidy for a few days!!??HELP! OH-also-his poop has started REALLY smelling BAD lately! I mean it smells up the whole house! This started after I made the big mistake of offering canned food mixed with his dry food.(Another issue!).Now,he stinks,uses the floor often,and hes stubborn about going back to just dry food-to reduce the odor! I think i've created a monster! Thank-You so much for any help/advice you offer! Lisa and Rolex.

ANSWER: Hi Lisa,

Rolex is a very nice looking cat. Here are a few things you can do to try to take care of this problem. First off get him to the vet for a checkup. Most times when a cat has a change in litter box habits it is because of a medical reason. He is associating the litter box with whatever is hurting him. Next stop using the bleach to clean the area. Use any Oxi laundry pre treatment first. Spray the area. Then use a dish washing liquid and water such as Dawn and scrub the area. Blot the excess water up. Pour a mixture of fifty-fifty white vinegar and water over the area. Use paper towels to blot up excess moisture. Rub a handful of baking soda into area and work it in with your fingers.
Allow to dry, usually overnight. You can use a fan or heater to assist drying.
When the baking powder is dry vacuum it up. You can also use Arm and Hammer Carpet Powder. It will leave the area clean and smelling great. And your cat won't be tempted to use the area again.

Try to stick with one type of litter. Cats like stability in their lives. Make sure you keep a depth of about five to seven inches of litter in the box. You can scoop every other day but don't go any further than that. You might not think it isn't too bad but Rolex has a super sensitive nose and he might think his box stinks.

Try using this stuff. http://www.preciouscat.com/precious-ultra-litter-attractantbrconsumer-product-p- Pet Smart carries it.

His poo stinking usually relates to what he is eating. Cat food with grain products cause stinky poo. You didn't list what he is eating. Read the ingredients. If it has corn, by products and other grains listed in the first three ingredients then it isn't very good for Rolex. Here's a link about feeding your cat.
http://catinfo.org

He is better off eating wet food. You just have to find the right one for him. Also this stuff is great.
http://www.petnaturals.com/vitamins_supplements/daily-digest-cats.php
The probiotics will help his digestive system.

I hope this helps. Make sure you get him to the vet. Good luck and take care.

Ciao, Karen





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

QUESTION: Thanks so much for your answer! But, I'd forgotten to list what type/brand of food Rolex eats-- I mix a half a can of store brand/kroger wet food with about a half cup of purina indoor cat food--once in the morning and then again in the evening. I tried switching him back to just his dry food-thinking that'd help with the odor AND with the amount he defecated, but now he acts as though he'd rather starve! Any thoughts on this would be very appreciated! LISA

Answer
Hi Lisa,

I would switch his wet food to a better brand. And feeding him the way you are is fine. Actually it is better because you are controlling his intact of food. And you are controlling his weight that way. You can also try adding a tiny bit of plain Greek type of yogurt to his food. It might add to his digestion and help with the stinky poo. If you want to switch him back to all dry food, (actually not really that good for him), try adding smaller and smaller amounts of wet food every week until he is eating all dry. He is better off though eating wet with the dry. Or just wet alone. Good luck and take care.

Ciao, Karen