How can you get a cat to cover her excrement?

Question

This a re-post with more details.

My two cats RECENTLY STOPPED covering up their excrement when they use the litter. I would really like help with this since it stinks constantly and it's embarrassing when we have company.

Recently a stray has been coming to the window and yowling/hissing at my cats. They get very upset when this happens. I'm wondering if they think their territory is being threatened, thus letting the scent be "known".

Facts are as follows:
1. We have one box for each cat.
2. We clean both boxes once a day MINIMUM.
3. The litter works extremely well. But it has to cover the feces to neutralize the scent.
4. We changed our litter brand 3 months ago but the liners and the boxes are still the same.
5. The cats started this problem two weeks ago.

Thanks

Answer 1

I would say they are feeling very threatened by the stray. Cats think they are more vulnerable when using the litter box. They are in a position, literally, that they can not escape from with speed. With the stray outside, they feel like they need to get out of the litterbox as soon as possible so they don't get attacked; at least that's what they think. My older cat stopped covering her excrement when I brought home a new kitten and she felt threatened. She covers it now but it took a while. I would suggest that you really discourage the stray from coming near the window. Use a spray bottle if you can or even bang on the window to scare her.

Meanwhile, another solution would be to give them "privacy" around the box. Enclose the litterbox with a cardboard box that is slightly larger than the litterbox and has one side removed or a large hole cut in it. They'll feel very safe and secure this way. You don't need to do the top but that will also cut down on the smell (it will also increase the smell inside the boxed area so you need to really keep the litter clean). Once your cats feel safe again, I'm sure they will go back to using the litterbox like they should.

(I want to add that I have a Littermaid for my two cats and have it turned off. The motor is WAY to weak to handle the scooping for two cats, mine jammed at least every other day.)

Answer 2

I'm not sure how to change your cat's behavior, but I do have a suggestion to help with the odor problem. I highly recommend the LitterMaid self-cleaning littler box. I bought one about a year and a half ago, and I have had no complaints. Due to my living arrangements, my cat's littler box had to be in my bedroom. I'd wake up in the middle of the night to her scratching, and then not be able to get back to sleep because of the smell - it was so awful! I tried several kinds of litter and also an enclosed litter box, but it did not seem to help at all. Once I bought the Littermaid (about $90 at Walmart), I've not had a problem at all! I have one cat, and I where before I was scooping her box at least twice a day because of the smell, I now never have to scoop, and only have to empty the collection tray once a week! Also, it uses significantly less litter - I'd say I bought litter about 3 times as often before I got the Littermaid. I was worried that my cat would not use it, but she checked it out, and has never had a problem with it. In fact, she is entertained by watching the rake run its scoop cycle! The collection trays for Littermaid are a bit expensive, but I actually just put plastic bags in them and reuse them several times.

I would think that unless your cats are extremely territorial, you could get one Littermaid for both of them. The scooping cycle runs about 10 minutes after one cat leaves the box, so likely by the time the next cat gets there, all evidence would have been scooped into the collection container and covered with the lid.

Answer 3

Oh, honey, if you figure it out, let me know!!! I don't have any strays or anything around here, only thing new is the box, and as if my female weren't bad enough as it was, she has developed a new habit of being the first in there after I do a complete litter change, and leaving a token right smack in the middle of the box and just letting it sit there. And I know what you mean about the smell. Whoo. She used to be psychotic about "dig-squat-bury", but she's been slacking off for quite a while now and now she's down to just "squat".

Answer 4

I agree with Mary J.
This is a statement as to how they feel about the strays. Mine are extremely territorial and did this when one came wandering at our old home... it stopped when the stray went away.
Do whatever you can to keep the strays away. I used citrus peel, I filled a flower pot with orange and grapefruit peels and left it on my doorstep by the windows where the stray would show up.. and it kept him away.

Good luck, I know how awful it can be... although you and I are both lucky... sometimes when offended they wont use the box and go wherever they please..

Answer 5

You're right about your two cats leaving their poop uncovered to advertize that the "den" (your house) is their territory. Sometimes preventing your cats from seeing another cat outside does the trick. Some people do it by simply pulling shut the blinds when the other cat is outside. Some (like myself) go out to shooo the strnage cat away (I never harm the cat - just scare it away by a lot of noise).

Answer 6

Ugh, if you find out, let me know! My new cat, who is 6 mo. old doesn't understand how to cover her poo. She actually poos, gets out of the litter box, and THEN scratches at the ground next to the box! LOL I wish she would watch our older one poo so she can see how it is done!!! :)

Answer 7

I'm sorry but you are just going to have to show the cats what to do again. You may have to poop in the litterbox yourself and cover it. This should refresh the cats memory to were they will remember what to do.

Answer 8

Shoot the damn cat and put it on top of the excrement.See how easy it is ? Why do you ask such obvious questions ?