why does my cat poop next to her potty box?

Question

even when the box is clean?
and, it is always in the same spot.

Answer 1

Hi there...if this is something that recently developed, first consider all the possibilities such as:
- changes with litter brands
- location of the litter box isn't private enough
- some cats like to have one box to defecate and another to urinate
- cleanliness (some cats are very finicky and prefer a super clean box)
- unspayed/un-neutered if cat is over the age of 5-7 months

If all these have been ruled out, there's a chance that your cat may have developed an underlying medical problem which can contribute to accidents outside of the box. Cats will associate pain while using box and change their habits as a result.

Here's an article about why cats inappropriately soil outside their litter box by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/Housesoiling.html

House soiling is the most common behavior problem reported by cat owners. It includes urination and/or defecation outside the litter box, as well as urine spraying.

Why do cats eliminate outside of the litter box?
One common misconception is that cats soil in inappropriate places for revenge. It is tempting to conclude, "He defecated on the living room carpet to punish me for leaving him for the weekend." But this kind of calculation requires sophisticated cognitive abilities that cats aren't believed to possess. Furthermore, this conclusion assumes that cats view their urine and feces as distasteful, when in fact they do not. It is only we humans who view it that way.

Medical Problems
So why do cats urinate or defecate on your bed or carpet? Medical problems are one possibility. Inflammation of the urinary tract may cause painful or frequent urination, inability to urinate, bloody urine, and crying during urination. An affected cat is likely to eliminate outside the litter box if he comes to associate the box with painful urination, or if he has an increased urgency to urinate. In addition, kidney, liver, and thyroid diseases often lead to increased drinking and urination. Inflammation of the colon or rectum, intestinal tract tumors, intestinal parasites, and other gastrointestinal conditions may cause painful defecation, increased frequency or urgency to defecate, and decreased control of defecation. Age-related diseases that interfere with a cat's mobility (for example, arthritis, nervous system disorders, or muscular diseases), or with his cognitive functions can also influence his ability to get to the litter box in time. In short, any medical condition that interferes with a cat's normal elimination behavior can lead to house soiling.

Litter Box Aversions
Behavioral problems, such as litter box aversions, inappropriate site preferences, or urine spraying can also lead to house soiling. An aversion implies that there is something about the litter box that your cat finds unsavory. It could be the box, the litter, the location of the box, or all three.

...please consider visiting the website for further details

Answer 2

Another possibility could be if you've brought another cat into the house and the animals are sorting out the pecking order. One cat may try to take control of the litter box to assert his position in the household and try to keep the other animal from using it. If that's the case, try keeping 2 boxes in separate areas of the house. The "controller" will have a lot more trouble patroling 2 litter boxes.

Answer 3

She might not like the brand of kitty litter .

I have been rescuing cats & kittens for 10 years now and i've tried juastabout EVERY brand under the sun. different cats I've helped they have all liked this litter so far... http://www.worldsbestcatlitter.com/...

no oders at all , even when they pee . and it's natural .

I've had 5 different cats who liked different kitty litters and i thought ..this is nuts i'm going broke ! so i tried that kitty litter and all 11 i have including the 5 picky ones use it .

As i said i help cats so that's why i have that many right now . Also it's nice and clean when teaching a kitten or cat to use the litterbox.

completely safe for them .

Answer 4

How blank are you maintaining this field? Scooping out what they did is not sufficient. Every so on the whole you absolutely must wash the field out and deodorize it. When we wash ours, we take it external with the hose and a few liquid Tide, then allow it air-dry. Have you transformed manufacturers of clutter within the final three weeks? If you are now not utilising the sand style, the ancient-sort low-priced style may also be frustrating to his declaw. You would emerge as having to position shredded newspaper within the backside of the field till he is absolutely healed, after which transfer over to sand. Either means, well good fortune.

Answer 5

It's probably the type of litter you have... The type of litter I bought attracts my cat and makes her want to pee/poop in it... Everytime I put a fresh amount in her litter box she has to dirty it up, I dont know why, but she is attracted to pooping in it.. I'd try a new type of litter and move the litter box where the cat keeps pooping also... good luck

Answer 6

Try a little cat physicology. Move the box to a different location and see if this still occurs. Make sure the cat knows about the move.
If it does then, well a .....................??????????
Good Luck. Hope this works.

Answer 7

why dont you put the box where your cat poop all the time

Answer 8

try a different brand of cat littler. that usually helps. or a different box. one small in height or larger in size depending on the size of that cat.

Answer 9

If shes a kitten you should probably watch her when she goes if not ask your vet some questions. They might know whats wrong

Answer 10

My mom's cat has the same tendency to do that also.