Dear Fisher,
I am a 9 year old, 15 lb part main coon and I’ve been with my parents since I was 1. I’ve always preferred to live inside and we’ve never had a big home and we’ve always shared a bathroom. When I was 2 or 3, I started to poop on the floor right in front of my litter box, but just when it started to drive my folks crazy, I’d poop in the litter box again. I’ve never had a problem with the litter box when I pee, but I’m getting to the point where I’ll poop just outside the box 10 times for every one time I use the box.
My parents clean out the box every day and they’ve been consistent with the litter since I was a kitten. I can tell they are upset because now they’ve started putting a little bit of my food where I poop, trying to discourage me, but I’ve been stubborn and that doesn’t work. They’ve even tried to lock me in the bathroom with my food, but it didn’t work and my mom thought that was mean, so they let me out.
I know my mom loves me no matter what, but my dad is getting very impatient and keeps mentioning that maybe I should move, but my mom won’t let me go. I’m already in an extra-large litter box that fits me well and there isn’t room for 2 separate boxes, but when they tried it anyway, I just peed in both and pooped on the floor. I hope you can help me!
Nishy

Dear Nishy,
My, my. It is obvious your people love you dearly. Even your dad is just mustering up some alpha cat to let you know you need to behave. They have gone to great lengths to get you to poop inside the box again.
Your humans have covered the most common reasons for your behavior. A quick review:

1. the box is clean, large enough for you, and the litter is not new to you
2. litter box is located in the bathroom where it is fairly quiet, no appliances making sudden noises
3. you have some privacy

You did not give me information on whether or not you have had a complete check-up at the vet clinic. Perhaps this was on purpose. Anytime behavior is on the side of “oh, no, now I have to clean up after you again,” it is good to make sure there are no physical causes.
Some cats just do not like to poop and pee in the same place. It can be that simple. If you have a rug or carpet next to your litter box and that is the surface you prefer to poop on, your parents can get another box (smaller) and put a piece of carpet in it. The carpet will need changing daily, so find a good source of carpet scraps. As you are happily using this new arrangement, your parents can add a little litter over the top of the carpet. If the floor is smooth, they can supply you with an empty box with a small amount of litter at one end so you can practice covering up again. You may always require this special arrangement or you may one day just decide to practice behavior that will please your bathroom-mates.
The Humane Society offers some worthy tips and advice. Check out
solving litter box problems.
Even though your folks have tried every trick in the book, something may just spark a new solution.

You are not the only one, Nishy, but you are the only one your mom and dad have to deal with. Work with them, OK?

Your friend,
Fisher

Dear Fisher,

I’m a two-year-old mixture of Maltese and poodle, and live with 2 other little dogs much like me, and a cat. We are lucky because we’re very social and get to go out a lot with the humans. I’m very social and rarely bark when in the company of lots of people and other dogs. If they don’t take me with them, I cry when they leave, but that’s not the real problem.

I am sure you have heard of the “cat’s meow” – but have you ever heard of the “dog’s howl?” If my humans don’t take me with them, I howl and howl when they come home. It’s a real howl, very loud, and I can’t seem to stop. The humans can get very annoyed at this. Do you have a solution?

Poshy

Dear Poshy,

No, I have not heard of the “dog’s howl.” I did some checking, though, and it seems dogs who would not normally howl may tend to when they are left alone. Of course, this does not address why you howl when they come home. Consider yourself quite unique – if you have not already done so.

There are several reasons a dog howls. Some will howl when they hear sirens, or certain kinds of music. The tones trigger some unknown reflex and they feel compelled to do it. I have heard of dogs who will howl along when their humans sing, or perhaps play the oboe. This may be a wake-up call to the human to try a little harder to perform on key.

A dog left alone and feeling very lonely may howl. Or, the howling may come about due to some ancestral genes. Wild dogs such as coyotes and wolves traditionally howled to gather their clan. It was their only way to call a meeting when all were spread out far and wide.

In her article, “Howling – why do dogs do it?”, Glynne Anderson provides some explanation and then asks the thought provoking question, “…are our dogs serenading, crooning or lamenting?” I might add…cajoling?

But, you are not alone with 2 other dogs and a cat in the house, and surely they cannot be spread too far and wide. Poshy, consider why you are howling when your humans come home. Some possibilities include:

1. you are more than a little miffed that your humans went off without you
2. you want ALL the neighbors to know your humans stayed out very LATE
3. your timing is a little off – the clan is gathered but you want to take credit for it

Getting to the cause will go a long way in your deciding to stop your howling behavior. On the other hand, your humans may choose to return home at a decent hour?

Your friend,
Fisher