Bad cat habit?

Question

My sister broke up with her boyfriend a couple of months ago, and since their cat was under my sister's name he came with her when she moved back in.

We already have two cats, one of which considers himself the dominant male and got very annoyed when we brought another dominant male cat into the house. The cat that was already here (Smokey) likes to lay down in the bathrooms, especially in the sink, so the water drips on him. My sister's cat (Kitty) started to poop in the sink that Smokey liked the most every time we left the bathroom door open. We thought it was because the two cats were dominant and this was a way of Kitty showing dominance over Smokey, but after two months he's still doing it and the cats get along very well now.

We clean out the litterbox constantly, try to keep the door closed at all times, and even put large objects in the sink to maybe discourage him (like a bucket or small trash can) but he still finds ways around it. How can we break him of this habit?

Answer 1

They might be getting along now, but the one is doing it to mark it's territory. I had one cat for years. I took in two more, the female got pregnant, then there was 5! The one who lived alone started spraying all over the house. Everywhere. They didn't fight but he never stopped spraying and once I had new carpet put in, I had to put him outside. Some habits can't be broken. The cats tolerate each other because they have no choice but to live together, but they still defend their own territory.

Answer 2

Why don't you tryf filling up the sink with water for a while ? kitty will surely hate that & use his litterbox instead, do it for a week or two till he gets the hang of it .

This is what I did when my female kitty "Dutchess" used a corner in my bathroom to do her job!!

you can also "toilet train" your kitty, here's a link for that:
http://www.amazon.com/CitiKitty-Cat-Toilet-Training-Kit/dp/B000F1OS20/sr=8-1/qid=1166864642/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-2513017-1757435?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden

Theres a manual way for this, too :
Steps
Move your cats litter box 1 inch closer to the bathroom

Repeat step 1 daily until the box reaches the bathroom, ending up directly up against the loo. Whenever you move the box gradually decrease the amount of litter used.

Put a book under the box.

Repeat step 3 daily until the box is of equal height to the toilet.

Whenever you raise the box take a scoop of the litter out of the box.

Raise the seat of the toilet. Tape a piece of waxed paper over the hole so that the toilet looks like a drum. Lower the seat.

Move the box over 1 inch onto the seat.

Repeat step 6 daily until the box is directly over the seat.

Gradually decrease the amount of litter in the box until there is no more litter.

Ditch the box.

On the next day, cut a hole about one inch in diameter in the center of the paper.

Widen the hole by one inch daily until the hole is about as big as the hole in the toilet seat.



Tips
An inch is 2.54 centimeters.



Warnings
Your cat may not respond well to these changes. If this is the case, take it slower, and maybe move the box only one inch a day.



Things You'll Need
Litter box
Litter
Waxed paper
Scissors
Cat
Time
Bathroom with toilet that you do not plan on using for a few days.
Books
Tape






It's bad enough cleaning a litterbox!!

Goodluck!

Answer 3

Keep the sink full of water when not in use - squeeze some lemon in it for good measure. The cat may come to the conclusion that its not a good place to go potty coz it will mean getting his paws and legs wet. You may have to do this only for a short while - couple of days or so - just long enough to convince cat that sink is not good place to potty.

Answer 4

PLEASE don't punish a cat for pottying unless you CATCH the cat in the act. You just confuse the cat.

Try filling the sink up with water. You could also put some of those scat mats on the counter to keep BOTH cats off the counter. I think the pooping male is smelling the scent of the other cat that likes sleeping in the sink. It would be better to keep both of them away by using scat mats. You can find them at pet stores or online.

Answer 5

If you can't keep the door closed then keep the sink full of water, that will discourage using it as a litter box.
Do not spank the kitty for that will only create more problems and possibly more bad behaviors. Do not put the kitty out for that is like a death sentence...too many dangers outdoors!
Cats live longer and healthier when indoors only.

Answer 6

you need to keep the bathroom door closed, and locked if need be. the cats may not like the change in routine but will find new favorite places to hang out...they'll be fine, its good they are getting along but the other kit has to be taught not to poo in the tub, here's one idea:

http://www.preciouscat.com/

Answer 7

He might be doing it because he feels that it is his marked territory.

Cats hate the smell of citrus, so make sure to use orange-based cleaners in the bathroom. You may want to put unlit orange-scented candles around the sink as well.

If that doesn't work, you'll have to spank him. Show him his mess, tell him "bad kitty" or whatever you normally say when he misbehaves, then give him one light smack on the flank. (If you feel bad about spanking him, you could just squirt him with water.)

If you want him to stay out of the bathroom entirely, squirt him with water any time he goes in there.


I know that sounds really mean, but I have three cats, and occasionally you do need to be firm with them. They still love me even after being disciplined in this manner.

Answer 8

Spray apple bitter (you can get it at pet stores) in the sink, they don't like the smell and he won't go in there.

Answer 9

The only thing I can think of is to put a lock on the door to keep the cat out.

I used to have a cat, long ago, but because of stuff like what you are experiencing, I will never have another.

Be well.

Answer 10

Rub his nose into it and tell him NO. He is still showing his dominance.