Outside the box…the new frontier.
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:
- the box is clean, large enough for you, and the litter is not new to you
- litter box is located in the bathroom where it is fairly quiet, no appliances making sudden noises
- 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
3 Comments
1. Vet Tech replies at 26th May 2010, 12:27 PM :
Good advice
I was yelling at my puppy for quite some time and thought she wasn’t learning housebreaking, turns out she had a UTI 
2. Sparkle replies at 26th May 2010, 2:14 PM :
Nishy sounds like a hard case! I think you may be onto something with your suggestion that perhaps he prefers a different surface from the litter for pooping. If all else fails, maybe the humans should call in a cat behaviorist – sometimes they see things that aren’t obvious from an email.
3. Marg replies at 28th May 2010, 2:34 PM :
That is some really good advice. We have never had that problem here, thank heavens. Some pee outside the box, but I think the idea of the carpet to see if you prefer that to the litter box. Also the vet visit is a good idea too. Hope you can figure something out.
Have a great week end.