why does my 7 year old cat like to crap in corners of my house?

Question

over the past year my cat has decided not to go outside using her cat flap to go the the toilet but instead to go behind the television or as in the past few weeks under the christmas tree. i have now taken the tree down though she still going to the same area to do it. and not not talking number ones !!!! any ideas on why and how to stop this other than the water solution as never seem to catch her in the act !!!

Answer 1

Its time to provide a cat litter box inside your house - maybe two. Most likely, your kitty has had a bad scare outside when it was doing its business or there is a new animal in the immediate neughborhood that has made its presence known through its poop or urine. In other words, your cat no longer feels safe pooing outside. Just put a little of her poop inside the litterbox and show it to her (gently) so that she'll know that that spot is now her bathroom. Then you have to totally get the smell of cat poop from the corners where she did her business. Use one of those pet and odor and stain remover sprays from pet shop like "Nature's Miracle." Unless you provide a liter box, your cat will most likely continue to poo around the house.

Answer 2

Do you provide the cat with litter? It would be a good idea. Is the litter kept clean? Maybe the cat got a bad scare outside. You can get a spray to repel cats. Usually it's used on places where the cat shouldn't scratch, but you could use it on the carpet too, in her favorite pooping spots.

Answer 3

Although I do think its kinda sweet that the Cat is leaving Christmas prezzies for you in January I can sympathise as our Cat has done exactly the same. Dont tell him/her off though as i promise it doesnt make a blind bit of difference. You need to work out why they have stopped doing it where they used to. Not tell them off for what they think is perfectly normal. We have tried a few things now which are cutting it down... moving the litter tray. changing the brand of litter. forcing the Cat to go out once in a while if he hasnt been out (its winter and our cat really hates the bad weather) oh and you really do have to get rid ENTIRELY of the smell of where he usualy does it or you are wasting your time. Hope this helps even if only a little. Oh one last thing... i THINK im right that cats are quite clever you dont really need to catch them in the act they know what they are being told off for. i think its dogs that you have to catch in the act.

Answer 4

She might have been bothered by another animal outside, possibly another cat. She might be developing arthritis and not want to navigate the cat flap. Maybe she's trying to tell you "buy me a litter box.....buy me a litter box..."

Answer 5

Put a litter tray where it craps, then slowly move it day by day until it's in the middle of the road!

Answer 6

Hi Danielle... consider all the possibilities first 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)
- as a general rule there should be one litter box for each cat plus one extra as a back up
- unspayed/un-neutered if cat is over the age of 5-7 months. Cats will become aggressive as they sexually mature and territorially mark with either urine or defecating.

If all these have been ruled out, there's a chance that your cat may have developed another 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.

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Answer 7

Grab her and put her face near the area make her smell it and in a stern voice say no....and so on.
Then take her to her litter box, put her in and say do it here...and so forth.
She will get scared and not go back to that place anymore.
Also keep her litter clean all the time.