My cat has started pooping on the FLOOR!!!?

Question

I recently moved into a new apartment. I put my cats litterbox in a closet to keep it out of the open and I leave the door open wide enough for her to get in and out. For the first few weeks she was fine, pooped in her box like a normal cat. Now, for the past 3 weeks or so, she is pooping on the carpet, either right in front of the litterbox or about a foot away from it outside the closet! My Chihuahua sometimes has accidents and goes on the floor, so I thought maybe my cat thinks its okay to do.... but I have had my Chihuahua for nearly 2 years and it never happened until recently.

Anybody else have this issue? Sometimes I think shes trying to get attention, but I dont think shes that smart. I don't know what her issue is but its REALLY starting to piss me off :(

Her poop looks fine. She doesnt appear to be sick. She acts perfectly normal. Her box is enclosed with a lid. I have no switched litters. And since when is piss a bad word?

Answer 1

sometimes stressed-out cats will start to act strangely, sometimes not until a while after they get stressed out.
i also heard that cats dont do well with moving and changing houses.

Answer 2

I know this is going to sound overly simple but try moving the litter box until you find out where the cat wants it. That could be all she wants.

Too close to a wall or she has an idea where she would rather it be. This is intuitively what I think is up.

Usually it means a health issue, but it's just too coincidental that she is pooing just after you've moved. Try getting more than one litter box too, and keep moving them around. If you changed litter go back to the old type.

And, use enzymatic cleaner on any spots the dogs pee or poo. So they stop doing this and the cat doesn't start.

And keep an eye on her; it just may be some health related issue, especially with a female cat--they usually don't like to use anything but their litter box and are very picky about it. The litter box is a major big deal to cats so when they are not using it something is definitely wrong.

Just a matter of finding out what...but try moving it around and if that doesn't work see a vet. Wish I could be more definitive. Your language is not offensive in the least.

Answer 3

now and again there only is not any reason we human beings can imagine of to describe why a cat poops outdoors the field, so we want to do inspite of we may be able to to deter it, utilizing what a cat will understand (with somewhat of success). listed right here are some things you could attempt: Get a sparkling litterbox (plastic absorbs odors and after a time the field will scent undesirable with none clutter in it) and new clutter (i'd propose the scoopable type), and placed kitty and all her stuff in the bathroom. make constructive she has a mattress of a few type, even a folded towel will paintings, and sparkling the litterbox on a daily basis. Cats commonly do not opt to get rid of close to their nutrition, so this would help damage her of the habit. She desires to stay in the bathroom 24/7 for type of two weeks. you ought to visit her typically and examine with her so she would not sense lonely or punished. Small areas are comforting to cats. She may set up a howl for awhile, yet this does paintings. (I call this litterbox re-training 100 and one). at the same time as she is in the bathroom, sparkling the parts she's grimy with both uncomplicated answer or Natures Miracle (or some thing similar). those are enzymatic cleaners that fairly get rid of the scent really than overlaying it up. Cats can scent issues we gained't and if the smell isn't thoroughly bumped off she will be able to be interested in that position. (under no circumstances use ammonia because it smells too very like cat pee). After both weeks, make constructive the litterbox is in a quiet region, outdoors of site visitors. once you've more desirable than a million element at your residence, there must be a field on each element. yet another ingredient to imagine about is the dimensions of the cat vs. the dimensions of the litterbox. maximum cats like a touch privateness at the same time as they are doing their agency, so i purchase the most important length coated litterbox i can get. those supply the cat the privateness they want and forestall clutter scatter. I also get a carpet pattern or small rug to position in the front of the field, which also helps ward off clutter from being tracked on the floor. each of the above assumes your cat is healthful. in case you word some thing "different" about your cat, please take her to the vet to rule out any ailment.

Answer 4

My cat does this occassionally and usually it is right before I need to do a complete cleaning and changing of her litter box. She's very pciky. I do know of some cats that simply do this all of their lives. It can be a way to deal with stress or anxiety. Two of the cats that I know of that did this were of the Siamese breed and my cat is part Siamese/Himalayan. Be patient with your cat. It could have an infection, as others have stated, or may need more attention. I have hard wood floors, which definitiely makes it easier to clean. Have you moved the location of the litter box? Try a more enclosed area away from your dog (closet, put a curtain or door around it to make it feel safe).

Answer 5

My cat's been pooping right outside the litterbox, but still in the bathroom. I've tried everything, but she's still doing it. :( I think it has to do with her not wanting to poop in the same box as my male cat, although she did it for years.

Here's some typical issues that may be causing your cat's problem:

--Developing a sensitivity to the type of litter. You can gradually switch to another litter to see if that helps. (I love Feline Pine; it's great to keep the smell away)
--Litterbox too small, dirty, or in a loud place
--She may prefer a box with a lid
--Could be a health issue...has the consistency/smell changed? If so, maybe try feeding her food with less crude fat in it (Iams and Science Diet are both recommended by many vets)

Hope one of these helps! I'm still dealing with my girl kitty doing this, but hey, at least it's *in* the bathroom, right? Oh what we put up with for our babies! LOL

Answer 6

Is it possible that while she was defecating in the litter box that something startled her? A car backfiring? The t.v. being turned on too loud? Anything of that nature? Sometimes, the cat will associate that noise with the litter box. Because she was using the box at the time of the noise, then when she uses it...she will hear that noise. Cats are strange, but it's true. Try moving the litter box to another location.

Answer 7

It could be that the people that had the apartment before you had cats (or dogs) that pooped and peed on the floor/carpet and your animals smell it and want to poop or pee there too to mark the spot. It is a hassle. Try to spray some neutralizer in the areas where they are pooping and peeing and try extra hard to keep the litterbox clean too. Good luck with this - it is a chore to get them to stop.

Answer 8

The first thing you must try is moving the litterbox to a place she frequents so she has easy access. Thats all I can recommend, as you can teach an old dog (or in this case, a cat) new tricks.

Answer 9

I would try moving the cat box to see if the closet is the issue. If it's not, maybe take her to the vet - she might be sick or something.

Answer 10

First, you should watch your language, I would appreciate it! But I don't know what is wrong with your cat! Do you clean the litter box regularly? Maybe that could be the problem... but my cat doesn't do that. Maybe you should move the box to a different area.

Answer 11

She maybe doing it for attnetion, if you haven't cleaned the litter box out then do so. Put it in a place she knows where it will be. And, everytime she does poop on the carpet, rub her nose in it. That is what I did when my cat pooped on the carpet, and she doesn't do it anymore.