Expert: Tomay - 7/23/2006

Question
I have a cat that is approx 2 years old.  We adopted her from the vet at approx 8 weeks old.  I do not know what her situation was prior to that.  The cat will urinate in her box, but will only have bowel movements on the floor next to the box or in the bathtub (the box is in the bathroom).  Do you have any suggestions about how to train (or retrain) this cat to use her box for bowel movements?  She doesn't go anywhere else in the house, just right next to her litter box.  We are desperate.  Thanks.

Answer
Hello Angie,
Is this a behaviour she has always had, or is it more recently?  Kittens learn so much from their mothers, including litter box habits. Usually by the time they are weaned and ready to go to new homes at around 9-12 weeks old.  Possibly, your kitty did not have that 'mama training' early on.  You might try picking up the BM from the floor where she goes, and putting it in the litter box, so she will get the hint.  If this hasn't worked, then is it possible that the litter box is just not big enough for her?  Some cats like LOTS of room to manuever and scratch around when the use the litter box.  Maybe if you increased the size of the litter box, and scoop at a minimum, once a day, it would help.
Hope this will be helpful, and thank you for your inquiry and your intrest in this site.
Tomay