Please only serious poster: What could cause my 2 year old cat to stop being litter trained?

Question

I need help my daughters cat is 2 years old and from 3 months on he has been 100% litter trained. Now all of sudden he will not go in the litter box instead he pooping in the guest bathrooms bathtub. It has been only going on for like 2 days but I have no clue why he is doing it. His litter box is clean and easy for him to get to, he is not old so that can't be why I need a answer for this one. Any vets out there or vet assistants.

Answer 1

Behavioral issues....new baby in the house, houseguest, new house member, new pet....all can cause stress for hte cat

Avoidance Issues....sometimes they decide they don't like the type of litter box. Most often the issue is when it is a covered box. You can get a heavy plastic pan from the hardware store which may solve the problem.

If none of the above, time to make an appointment with the vet to rule out a physical problem

Answer 2

There are many reasons that cats stop using their litter boxes: health problem, stress, environmental changes (even minor ones), not liking the litter (perhaps the company changed their formula) or the litter box set-up, etc.

First, have him examined by a vet to make sure he is healthy. I know of a cat that defecated out of the litter box even though he had a urinary tract infection, so the vet should check everything.

If there is no medical problem, the vet may be able to give behavior advice or should refer you to a behaviorist or behavior hotline in your area.

Answer 3

Excellent suggestions from everyone.

I seem to recall hearing somewhere about offensive odors are sometimes absorbed by plastic litter boxes. Even though the owner will clean the box itself and may not notice anything unusual, sometimes the cat does.
Perhaps you could try buying it a new box if nothing else resolves the problem

Answer 4

A) have you changed litter brands?
B) has someone moved in w/you, do you have a new baby or new pet? it could be a control issue w/him (cats are so funny that way! I know it's not that way for you when your cleaning up after him...lol, sry)
C) when my (male) cat started doing this, we took him to the vet. Sadly, they found out that he had a kidney infection. 6 months later we had to humanly put him down....I hope this isn 't the case for you, but if this continues, you really should take him to the vet ASAP if A and B aren't your answers

Answer 5

There is something about his litter box that is offending him. Like the other person said, a change in litter brands? A different detergent to wash the litter box?

Answer 6

Cats get angry at their owners and stop using their litter box. I would lock her in the bathroom with her litter box until she straightens out. Did you change the type of litter you are using.

Answer 7

Could be a change in the litter type, or litter box. Or it could be anything new in the household.

If not, it could be a medical condition and you should take ure kitty to see a vet.

Most of the time its either a change in environment or something you did made him mad. If not that it's medical.

Answer 8

I had the same problem when I put some plastic bins in my basement to organize out of season clothes. My cat thought that any box shaped object was fair game.

Answer 9

I think it may be feeling lonely or neglected and poops in there 2 get attention, you may think it is a silly answer but cats along with few other animals such as elephants do actually have emotions!

Answer 10

I had a cat who started doing that, and come it find out it was because he had kidney stones. My vet said it was his way of telling me something was wrong. I had another cat who would do that if he got mad at you though... but it was usually on your bed or in your shoe! LoL.