Help with my cat, do you know what to do?

Question

My kitty doesnt use the litter box, she's three years old, and she used to use the litter box, but now she goes right in front of my front door, it's gross... every time I open the door, people see that she pooed there.... it ssooooosooooosooo gross and it needs to stop! Now! I'm sick of it!! I'm not gunna get rid of her, (Or get her killed) , Thats just stupid! I just want a way to get her to stop without hurting or getting her sick OR KILLING HER...(Ect.) .... But im getting into trouble because of it...He rlitter box is clean, shes not sick, and i am NOT going to put her into a cage, She doesnt bite and only scratches if you make her, she doesnt have a UTI, we checked...we have a clean place, (not where she goes though) , And i love thhis cat with all my heart.... Please help me.

Nothing in the house has changed----- nothing at all. she just started going there....

Answer 1

One way to help break the habit is by putting her food dish in that spot. Cats don't like making their toilet where their food is.

If that doesn't get the job done, there's always the tried and true approach. Rub her nose in it and make it clear you don't approve. Then lift her and the feces to the litter box, and put the feces where they belong. Cats are smart enough to figure out what that means.

Hopefully that helps!

Answer 2

My cat now only poops in front of her box but pees in the box if the box is slightly dirty. She is getting more picky. I had another cat that loved everyone and would sit on the lap of strangers until... I had grandkids and then he started pooping beside his box! He only did it when they came over.He would do it for several days if they stayed overnight. He never hurt them or bothered them which is good. He was just showing who was boss! I had 22 foriegn exchange students come through and live in my house over a few years and they didn't bother him a bit.He would join in with the room full of teenagers and never miss a beat. He was so jealous of the grandkids though!Have you had a different male person or animal come in the door or an intruder? She may be marking her place if you have had.I would put her and the box in a room and keep the door closed on her for several days. Only let her out to eat. Then try to let her stay out and if she poops by the door again tell her NO and put her back into isolation again for a few days. She will understand if you are strict and make her do it. You could use moth balls by the door after you clean it well also to keep her away. I know they smell bad but so does pee! You might grind them up and sprinkle just a little since her sense of smell is greater than ours.They keep cats and dogs from the garden or around trash cans in case you ever need it.Cats are sensitive to their people and their changes. If a certain person comes in that they don't trust or if a male comes in they can start marking.Have patience and I hope you get it stopped soon.I know it can be a mess! My brother was ready to kill his wife's cat while his wife was away visiting thier daughter in another state.The cat kept pooping beside the box and once ran from my brother and pooped runny diarreah on the bathroom counter and floor and commode! I got there just as he was cleaning it up! He doen't love cats like we do so he was hot!!

Answer 3

Have you changed the brand or type of litter you were using?

I had a similar problem with my cat going on the carpet in the house. My vet told me to use unscented non clumping litter.

A fellow in the pet store told me to mix a little catnip into the litter every time I change it. Then, immediately put her in the litter box she can smell it. When she jumps out of the litter put her in two more times. Then let the cat go about its routine.

Also you have to find a good cleaner to clean where she has gone to the bathroom. There is an orange cleanser made from orange rind (I think) that is very effective. It may be called Orange Glo (not sure) Canadian Tire used to carry it. Lysol has it at most super markets but it is diluted. If cats have an occasional accident they tend to go back there again if you don't get the smell out. They can smell things even if humans can't.

If this fails, call your local Humane Society or Animal Rescue they may have someone who knows. Also, visit the local pet stores and inquire. That's what I did.

I have never had a problem since. Some cats act out this way when even a slight change has been made in their environment. For instance, moving her food dish to a different location. Or maybe she is waiting to get back into the house and you don't hear her meow. Sometimes one has to think very hard to remember what has changed. But the above mentioned tips stopped my cat from going on the carpet

Good Luck.

F G

Answer 4

Maybe try putting the litter box in front of the door for the night, or locking her in a room (say a bedroom or a bathroom) for a little while with just the litter box. Or put a towel infront of the door with a strong scent on it (say a lot of perfume or something else) that would make your kitty want to stay away from the door. If none of these work just try laying newspaper by the door and keeping her litter box in the same general area. If none of that works I don't know what to tell you as it's worked with my old cats before. Good luck!

Answer 5

Maybe the first time was an accident. But if you cleaned it with a product that contains amonia it will attract her to do it in the same place again and again. Cats are creatures of habit and if you changed her litter box, the possition of her box or even the type of litter you use she may not want to use the box. Wash the area she is messing in and use a solution of vinigar and water to neutralise it. Good luck

Answer 6

Hi there, sorry to hear about your kitty problems :( There are a lot of reasons your kitty may be avoiding his litter box. Most are behavioral. Are you spending more time away from home? Have you gotten any new pets? He may be trying to get your attention. Do you have house plants? A lot of house plants are toxic to our beloved cats. Heres a good site about safe plants. http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc_toxicplants Also you could try using Cat attract. It’s an herbal mix that you add to the litter to make them want to use it. Here’s a link to it http://www.healthypets.com/catattract.html Hope this helps, let me know if it doesn’t and I will research it further.

Answer 7

Did the location of the litter box change? Or did something in that environment change (eg - new appliances in the room make loud noises, using a new brand of litter or one with a fragrance, etc.). Did your work schedule change at all? Many cats are creatures of habit, and if their 'human' suddenly alters his/her schedule, it can stress them out. Sometimes this is manifested in them not using their litter box. Otherwise, talk to your vet.

Answer 8

Do you have any other cats? If so, get a new litter box for her. That could be a problem. Another problem could be that she doest not like where the litter box is. Or possibly the litter she might not like it. I am a cat lover and have ran into this problem myself. It could be any of these problems or others. Let me know if you have tried any of these. Thanks, AD

Answer 9

If you have taken her to the vet and has come back with a clean bill of health then confine her to a small room like a closet or a bathroom and but her litterbox in there and some water and she will eventually learn that she has to go in there or she will be living in it.

Answer 10

try moving the litter box to quiet and isolated area in the house. some litters thats are scented irritate cats sinuses and they don't want to use it. you might need to try an unscented litter and change it more often. its worked for my cat.