our cat is going #2 outside his litter box, but not all the time. has anyone ever experienced this?

Answer 1

Hi Kim...there are several possibilities which would cause a kitty to innapropriately soil outside the litter box. They could be change of litter brand, location of litter box, not being cleaned more frequently, competition for the box if there are multiple cats in the home, changes in the home recently which is causing stress, not enough litter boxes accessible as some cats like to defecate in one and urinate in another or a medical problem such as constipation or an urinary tract infection as well.

Here's a brochure by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine about the causes of house soiling problems: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/housesoiling.html

Answer 2

Several people have already suggested making sure the box is cleaned regularly and adding another box. All very good suggestions. However, if he is only defecating outside the box (unless you just haven't found the urine spots?), then do not rule out the possibility of medical issues. A few concerns are anal glands and constipation.

Kitty has two little glands on either side of his anus that squeeze out a foul-smelling fluid each time he defecates. Sometimes these glands get plugged up and cause discomfort. This can cause kitty not to use the box if he is experiencing pain while in the box. The veterinarian can express the fluid from the glands quite easily if this is the case. Ignoring anal glands can lead to infection and abscesses.

Constipation can also lead to litter box problems. Are the stools harder than usual? Is there any vomiting? X-rays and a rectal exam by the veterinarian can easily diagnose this problem. It can be controlled with a little extra fiber in the diet and sometimes a stool softener. But don't give kitty any drugs, laxatives, etc without consulting your vet first.

Hopefully it is simply an issue of needing a new litterbox, but it wouldn't hurt to get kitty in for an exam just in case!

Answer 3

You should have more than one litterbox if possible. Put newspapers under the box make sure the whole area stays as clean as possible.

Clean the litterbox out several times a day and every third day or so throw out the litter and wash the box thoroughly. I've had cats that had that problem before and the above measures have always worked.

Answer 4

The litter needs to be cleaned often, I clean mine 3 times a day, and I have two cats. Or the other option is the litter box is too little, try getting a bigger box?

Answer 5

If your cat used to go in the litter box all the time, then something has changed that he's rebelling against. We had a cat who started going #2 all over our carpet because he got locked in our bonus room while we were gone. Just make sure that when you see he has gone #2 outside his litter box, put his nose to it and be firm when you tell him no, then make him watch you pick it up with a tissue or something and put it in the litter box, immediatley put him in the litter box. He will most likely jump out asap, but he'll get the point.

Answer 6

I know what helps. It really does works. If your cat goes anywhere else besides his litter box and you clean it and make sure its fresh and it can't be that option. Take the cats droppings and put it in the litter box. That it the cat scent. And when he wants to go, he will find his 'area' and go there. Work for me and my friends of mine. Try it.

Answer 7

One of my cats did that for the longest time and it drove me crazy trying to figure out why. Then she started moving her bowels right out side the kitchen in the rose bed there and that is where she prefers to go still - rain or shine.

There were no medical problems and I have plenty of litterboxes in the house for her and the other cats and I keep them cleaned out.

Sometimes you have to thank god for small favors. The bm's were easy to pick up with a piece of toilet paper. Urine is so much harder because the smell is so bad.

Answer 8

yes,my cats always take poopoos outside the litter boxes and they usually only do it when the litter box is to full or when my grandmothers dog is over

Answer 9

Yes. My male does this sometimes but it's only when he's not happy with the litterbox.

Perhaps you should clean it right after someone's done using it. They usually don't like if someone's else waste is sitting in there. They prefer cleaner ones and if it's too much, they'll do their business outside the litterbox.

Answer 10

My cat dose it too,not all the time.Sometimes the litter is dirty,
other times its not.He has two spots he dose it in.So I scrubed it good and used pet odor remover.Bought a new bigger litter box.
I see what happens. I guess its a cat thing.