How can I stop my cat from crapping on the door mat?

Question

I have two cats, both 16. They both used to be happy to use the garden for their toilet, but one has recently started going on the front door mat.

I now have a litter tray beside the door, but when I got home yesterday there was a cat turd laid not a foot away from it and the tray was clean.

I'm pretty sure it's the female, who has always been a bit timid and a little scared of the male. He also uses the tray, which may put her off, but there's no way I can stop him.

Has anyone got any suggestions to stop her from messing where she shouldn't?

Answer 1

there are a number of things you can try.

1). you should always have one more cat litter than the amount of cats you have. for example you have two cats so you will need three cats. there maybe a bit of territorial protection going on between your two cats. cats do use it as a form of bullying, sitting and guarding the litter so the other one cant go.
2). you can put food wear he craps. cats never poo wear they eat.
3). try changing the texture of the mat, cats get into a cycle and its about trying to stop this cycle. They also get used to a particular kind of texture to pee/poo on.

to be honest i have a friend with a similar problem and the vets have told her its an age thing. so you may not be able to stop it completely.

good luck

Answer 2

You should get another litter tray. Cats are really scared about using territory that smells of a more dominant cat. If you have a cat flap or open windows another cat may be coming in the house. Also if they both don't like going outside now, another dominant cat could have moved into the area. Or perhaps you have got a new pet, a dog for example and their scent is around the litter tray. Having another litter tray in a quiet place or several litter trays dotted around will reduce the likelihood of a cat messing. Cats can go senile, but they usually become incontenant with old age. Also have you changed the cat litter? Some cats are really sensitve to stones that hurt their paws, they can squat off the side to do a wee but a poo they probably couldn't. Or maybe you have changed the tray size / shape, cats are very sensitive to little things! So by changing the place, size, type, litter and amount you may be able to find out what exactly it is that's bothering her. Cat's will also be able to smell scent of where they last went to the toilet, so make sure you clean any odours of messing really well or they will think that's their familiar place. Cats wont mess on tin foil so a trouble spot you could put some foil down. Another point that you could consider is flower essences, these remedies have been reported to be successful in helping shy cats. Such as larch, aspen, rock rose ask the advice of your vet and you administer a couple of drops into their water or directly.

Answer 3

This may sound kind of out there, but my Vet told me that it's very common for a cat to urinate or deficate on a rubber mat or a mat the has a rubber backing.
There's something about the smell of the rubber that makes them think it's okay to use it as a litter box.

One more thing my Vet told me is to NEVER spray a cat with water to stop a bad behavior.
The cat won't connect the spray bottle with the thing it's not supposed to do, it will connect the spray bottle with you and may come to distrust you.
Also he said that if you would happen to spray the cat in the face or ears it can cause an over growth of yeast in the cats nose or ears resulting in the need to a trip to the Vet.

If the door mat is not a new addition trying adding another litter box.

We have four cats, and three litter boxes....the two female Sisters use one box only, they never use the other boxes...the other female uses the same box all the time and the male uses the third box all of the time.
I've seen the females go and take a peek in his litter box, but they never get in it.

Also since the cats are up their in age a Vet check maybe in order.
Any change in a cats behavior should always be reported to the Vet.
Cats hide illnesses from us so perhaps she's trying to show you that she's not feeling well or displeased with something.

I hope you get everything straightened out.
Good Luck

Answer 4

hi ihad a cat that used to do that very same thing but what i did was i showed
him the poop and then showed him the litter box and then put him in the litter box and when i did every thing was fine from there. or mabey she knows that s his territory so she dosent go over there cause she doesnt want to get beat up so mabey there needs to be 2 litter boxes cause cats can be very territorial about stuff like that you know you just wouldnt want some one off the street to come in your house and start to dig around in your bathroom cats are kind of the same way.

Answer 5

when is the last time you took them to the vet. one of them may be having intestinal problems, my one cat did the same as yours and that was the problem. The vet put her on Batril to help her and she is ok now. It could also be a behavioral problem too if one does it the other will too like dogs more than one cat can be territorial

Answer 6

maybe your cat is just missing it. It could be an age thing. a lot of cats go into the box but their rear ends are hanging over the edge try a deeper box and see if this solves the problem.

Answer 7

Put out a covered cat box, then use catnip spray to spray the inside. The cat will be attracted to the catnip, go in the box to check it out, then realize they're sitting in cat litter and do their duties.

Answer 8

Your cats are both 16 years old? That's about 96 years old in people years. Lets see if you can remember where to crap when you get that old.

Answer 9

A suggestion .... You can either spray her with water when she does that, they hate water but it won't harm them... Or after you clean it put a strong scent like pnemonia, they can't stand the smell... Oh and keep the litter clean, if it is the female, they can be picky, they won't go where it's too dirty.

Answer 10

there is either two ways,,, one you get another litter pan,, or you said they use to go in the garden ,,, get a small one ,, than let her do it there,, it wouldnt hurt,, or you can put the litter pan where the garden use to be and see if that works..