I wish they could just TELL US what's bugging them!

[badgerpup]

Could use some advice or insight here if you people wouldn't mind...:hi:

Esme, my 10-yr old female has recently started pooping outside the litterbox...and not just 'butt over the edge and missed the sand' but squatting a foot or so away from the box itself.

She doesn't do it all the time- but it's been escalating to the point where it's happening every other day. At first she was using the bathmat, so I just pick up the bathmat when I'm done with it and put it out of reach.
She's retaliated by using the bare floor.
NOT a fun thing to find first thing in the morning...especially by Braille. :puke:

I scoop the litterboxes twice daily...in fact, I've caught her using the floor immediately after I've scooped the box and none of the boys have had a chance to leave their 'mark' yet.

If I catch her using the box, I praise her, pet her, brush her (all things she likes and enjoys) to encourage this behavior, but she still poops on the floor...and it's beginning to really annoy me. :mad:

I don't know what's biting her...I haven't changed their food or the brand of litter. Only thing I can think is the weather's been nasty cold and going out isn't an option for her (her choice).

I'd appreciate any insight on this...you know how sometimes stuff happens when you really honestly do LOVE your cats- you'd do anything for them, but there's times when they do things and you don't like them very much? :banghead:

I'd rather not go there. :blush:
Thanks...

[BrklynLiberal]

1. I do not really know what the problem is but I can make a few suggestions..

If it is a covered box, try removing the cover.

Try washing out the entire box..perhaps there is some lingering scent she does not like.


Try Cat Attract. They make a litter, but it is clay, so I do not use that. But they also make an additive
that you can put on top of your current litter. This is great stuff.

Google "Cat Attract"
.

Pls let me know if any of this makes sense and/or works

[badgerpup]

2. Thanks...

Will try. :pals:
She's a sweet and very loving kitty otherwise...it's just this ONE LITTLE IDIOSYNCRASY of hers can kinda get on one's nerves after a while...:shrug:

[blueraven95]

3. you might want to take her to the vet for a checkup

I've heard (although I've never experience this myself) that a change in litterbox behavior could be a sign of something being wrong.

[AirmensMom]

4. What kind of litter do you use? n/t

[badgerpup]

6. Hi...sorry I didn't see your post till today!

:hi:
I use Litter Purrfect...it's a clumping litter. Uses lemon grass and baking soda for the 'odor control'.
I get it at Costco in 30lb jugs.


I'll swear that 30lbs weighs a helluva lot more than it used to...

[alstephenson]

5. By any chance is she a calico???

[badgerpup]

7. Nope, she's a ninja...

WISH I had a camera...:banghead:
Black kitty...looks like she's got some British Shorthair in her. Got that sturdy, stocky build, football-player shoulders, broad chest, sweet expression...

She's got the temperament too...calm, phlegmatic...almost nothing fazes her.
Used to take her to visit my ex in hospital (before he was 'ex') as a Therapy Cat...she travels well, and wasn't bothered by all the sounds, smells, and people coming in and out of his hospital room. If they wanted to stop and pet her, she was perfectly OK with that. Stood up and gave one of the doctors a little flicker-tongue kitty-kiss while he was examining ex's leg.
Doc was charmed...

There was even a fire drill once...and she just looked out the door...decided that this had nothing to do with her and resumed scheduled snuggling/purring duties.

From what I've heard about calico kitties, they're just the opposite of this, temperment-wise...
they tend to be rather highly strung and have very high standards about who they choose as worthy to pet them and such...

Been told this by somebody who is owned by a couple calicos...they (the calico kittehs) tell her she is priveleged. ;)

[alstephenson]

9. Yep, you got that right about calicos.

In addition to being a little temperamental, they tend to have "butt issues". My vet, who has a calico that looks just like mine, says it's a "bit of the orange" and that they tend to have irritable bowel and other GI problems. I won't go into details, but he thinks its quite likely that she can't tell when she is going to have a bowel movement, so, well, you get the picture... I thought maybe your problem was similar to mine.

My vet recommended trying a couple of things that might help you out. An additional box, a new box, a different kind of litter (the Cat Attract recommended by another poster is expensive but works), etc. My calico is mostly a sweetie, so I overlook the butt issues, but it can certainly be challenging.

[elleng]

8. Sounds like dementia to me.

Joke, but not a joke. I don't know much about cats.