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Cat Shit
Draco_Auric
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So a while ago one of my two cats started to shit by my front door, the vet's solution to this problem was to put a litter box there and then slowly move it back to where it's supposed to be. This has only made things worse though. The cats have only used it sporadically and since putting a box by the door my other cat has started to shit near it but not in it. Also at least one and possibly both of the cats has started to pee out side the box, and I was just awoken by my cat shitting downstairs beside my bed.
I'm going to call the vet again today, but does anyone have any suggestions?
I'm going to call the vet again today, but does anyone have any suggestions?
Draco_Auric on
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First, are you keeping the litter box absolutely clean? As in, scooping it every single day, possibly even twice a day? Lots of cats are exceedingly finicky about their litter box and will simply refuse to use it if it's not up to their standards of cleanliness. I guess this is understandable; after all, they do have to put their paws in it.
Second, are your cats declawed? Many declawed cats end up with tender feet, as declawing removes the last joint of their "fingers" along with the nail bed. If your cat is declawed, it may be avoiding using the litter box because the type of litter you're using hurts its feet. Try shredded newspaper (you'll have to clean the box even more if you do that.)
Third, have you thoroughly scrubbed the areas the cat has been peeing/pooping on with an enzyme cleaner? Cats can smell things people definitely can't, and if it can smell its waste somewhere, it'll assume that's a good place for it to go again.
Fourth, have your cats gone through any stressful changes lately? One of the ways cats react to stress is to stop using the litter box. Try getting some Feliway, particularly the plug-in diffuser, to help your cats calm down.
Fifth, have both cats been to the vet? Inappropriate elimination is often the sign of medical troubles.
Sixth, are you leaving anything on the floor, such as clothing, blankets, a door mat, etc.? Cats naturally want to poop or pee on soft things that they can scratch over the mess.
If you've gone through the list and none of it helps, you might ask your vet for a recommendation for an animal behaviorist. Unfortunately, cats can't directly tell you when something is wrong, just give signals like making a mess of your floor, so it's your job to figure out what's going on and then fix it.
Also, could be a sign of the cat being sick. Maybe take it into the vet?
I had an issue with mine once, he developed a sort of claustrophobia and would only go in an uncovered litter box.
There is also the issue if the litter box is uncovered, they might want more privacy... I've seen that as well.
Good luck and hope they learn to love the litter again. :P