Cat poops on the floor, pees in the box - tried EVERYTHING - help!?

Question

I've tried EVERYTHING to get my 3 year old cat to stop pooping on the floor away from her litter box. We've been to the vet, changed her litter types/styles/smells, changed the litter box type, size, top on/off, everything - and believe me I've searched the net multiple times to find ideas for solving this issue - but nothing seems to work. I've tried to tell her "no" while I caught her in the act, but it's like she doesn't seem to care. I personally think this is behavioral as we got a kitten about 5 months ago, however, she really loves the kitten and her litter box is private for just her, the kitten has his own, and then there's one litter box that is common ground. But she only uses the box that is just for her, and only to pee - she poops outside of that box on the floor. She never uses any of the other boxes for anything. What can I do, any ideas? Thanks guys, I really appreciate it!

Answer 1

The litter box is pretty clean right? Not too much urine? Because your cat has pooped around the box and not in it, this may indicate that she intended to use the box, but for some reason she just couldn't bring herself to get into it. Usually this is because it is too dirty. Remember, cats are self-cleaning. They are not voluntarily going to step into moist or dirty dirty litter that later they are going to have to clean off their paws or fur. A box that seems clean to you may not be clean enough for your cat. Since their senses are far more acute than ours, what is not offensive to us may be unbearable to them.

To help her become comfortable with her litter box:
Add a scent cue to the litter, so she knows what it's for, by taking a small amount of stool and placing it in the litter.
You stated that you have tried EVERYTHING.
Being creatures of habit, cats don't appreciate sudden changes. Don't surprise kitty with the new litter, or she may surprise you with a present of her own.
Have you tried adding/removing the litter box liner?
Have you tried clumping/non-clumping litter?
Is the litter box big enough? The bigger, the better. It should be at least 16x22 inches.

Your cat has been given a clean bill of health by the veterinarian, it's time to consider other possible causes of your cat's litter box problem.
One possibility you can eliminate immediately is spite. Spite is a human emotion, not a feline one. Cats don't soil the house of spite. They may, however, soil the house because they are stressed.

Cats are very intelligent and sensitive little creatures. They are highly reactive to their environment (some more so than others).

Most people recognize the obvious stressors:
-a new baby
-a new pet
-remodeling or moving to a new home

The more subtle stressors may be overlooked:
-less attention from the cat's favorite person
-infrequent or inadequate feedings
-the scent of another cat on a visitor's clothing
-the sight of a stray cat through the window.

We may not be aware of kitty's anxiety until we actually step in it.

(This is a good time to remember that punishment never corrects inappropriate elimination problems, but it can make them worse by increasing the cat's stress.)

Good Luck.

Answer 2

First, whenever there is a sudden change in behavior, consider that it might be a medical problem. Take your cat to the veterinarian for a good examination. Be sure to tell your veterinarian about the house-soiling problem. If your cat gets a clean bill of health, here are a few things you can consider: Litter cleanliness: Be sure you keep the litter box very clean. Cats are clean animals and some may want their box meticulous. This may mean scooping 1-2 times daily and/or changing the entire material every 3-4 days. Litter box location: Check around where the litter box is to be sure that there is not something about the location that the cat may find a problem. This could be a noisy appliance, people walking by, the dog approaching, nearby children playing, or other cats in the household. Disharmony between housemates: In a home with multiple cats, there may be subtle underlying tensions that may make one or more cats anxious. This could lead to non-litter box usage. Continued use of one particular material: If your cat has been eliminating outside of the litter box for some time, it may have developed a preference for another material besides litter. If you think this is the case, consult your veterinarian for help or a referral to a veterinary behaviorist or an applied animal behaviorist.

Answer 3

My kitty has been having accidents too, mostly poop accidents. I had her checked by the vet and there wern't any worms, but the vet said worms can be a cause of them pooping out side of the litter box. I was ready to give up since there was no medical reason for this happening, when finally I went to the pet store and found this littler called cat attract, 100% money back guarantee that your cat will use this litter. It's been two weeks with no accidents. I can't guarantee that she wont have anymore accidents, but I do know once I bought this litter she has been accident free. This litter cost a few dollars more than normal litter, but so worth it.

Once you have bought this litter, keep putting her in her box periodically through out the day, especially after she eats and drinks, make sure her box is kept clean and is set in a private location, I do not suggest the covered litter boxes, my cat was so confused she peed on top of the cover.

Check it out, good luck!

http://www.preciouscat.com/

Answer 4

Have ruled out health issues. Have added a 3rd litter box with different substrate. (I only have 1 cat). He didn't start doing this until a year after I rescued him - he is approximately 5 yrs old - neutered. Have tried him on Prozac, which made him bonkers - super restless and howled for hours on end. Have not changed anything that might be causing him stress. Also have purchased feliway diffuser and spray. He pees in the box, but poops about 1 foot away; so it's not like he's hanging out of the box, which is supersized. I have tried putting some of his poop in the box and having him watch. I am at my wit's end. I love this guy, but this pooping thing is driving me crazy. Any other thoughts out there?

Answer 5

You can try to re-train her. Start with a cage big enough for her bed, litter box and food & water dish. She will use her litter box. After a few days move to a bigger cage. If she continues to do well go to a small room. And continue this way. ALso if your vet does not specialize in behavior problems find one that does. I would guess your new kitten is a problem. Maybe some medication can help her. Don't give up on her.

Answer 6

Mine randomly does it. But lately more outside the box adjacent or even in random places around the house. She never used to and we have had her for 7 years since she was a kitten. The vet said it is behavioral. I have figured out what her "favorite" type of litter is, had two boxes side by side and she used one for poop and then urinated in the other for a while. But that did not last. When we go away (even when a cat sitter comes in once a day who she likes) she poops all over the house. We love our cat, but my goodness, nothing like a midnight squish randomly placed outside our bedroom on the way to our toilet.

Answer 7

If your cat poops in the same spot all the time then try moving the litter box to that spot and see what the cat does.

When your cat pees in the litter box then doesn't want to poop in it because he doesn't want to get his feet wet and dirty. (this is my theory) Might try two litter boxes for the one cat but in seperate areas.

Answer 8

wow, i thought my cat was the only one who did that. She only does it on the bathroom rugs though, so we ended up removing them. She just stopped recently though and she's about 11 years now. We went through the same thing with the vets,litters, multiple boxes but there's just no explanation for it.

Answer 9

I THINK IT;S BECAUSE OF THE KITTEN. CATS DO THINGS LIKE THAT WHEN SOMETHING IS DIFFRENT . try paying a little more attention on the older cat ;show her that she;s still loved and not forgotten....i would;nt get on her to much as it;s like a sibling thing good-luck
..

Answer 10

Have you tried putting the pooh in her box? That sometimes works.