Can any1 help me? i have a two year old cat who has been fouling in the same area for a few months now..?

Question

i have moved the litter tray down to where the spot is, i have tried deterring sprays, i have moved her excriment into the tray to get her scent in there but still no joy.. there are no other cats in the house just two dogs which she gets along fine with, she was house trained before all this bad behaviour started.. she was spaded last year.. i don't know what to do, can an1 help me??

Answer 1

Unlike humans, cats are born with the instinct to bury their feces. So unless you want Fluffy tearing up your hardwood floors in an attempt to bury her poop, we suggest you get a litter box.
Before we correct the accidents, it's important to make sure that you train the cat correctly in the first place. As a kitten, every time that she looks like she's about to crouch or she starts sniffing near a corner (classic signs of oncoming urination or defecation), pick her up and put her in the litter box. Also, first thing in the morning, put your wee kitten in the litter box. Kittens learn extremely quickly (much faster than dogs), so this process should be relatively painless.

The most important thing is to keep that litter box clean. Just as you'd hate to keep using an unflushed toilet, make sure that you clean the litter box every day, and completely change all the litter and wash the box out at least once a week. That will help encourage your cat.

Here are some methods for correcting accidents:

Cats never poop where they eat, so put her food bowl near wherever she had the accident.

Like most of us (with the possible exception of frat boys), cats like to use the facilities in private, away from loud noises or other interference such as dogs and toddlers. If the cat is going in hidden places like under the bed, this could mean she feels too vulnerable in her box. Getting a cover from the pet store or making one from a cardboard box may lure the cat back to her original litter box. Put the box where the cat can reach it easily.

If you have more than one cat, determine if one is preventing the other from getting to the box if they don't get along. If this is the case, then get two litter boxes. Then one will always be available.

Consider if the cat has had an unpleasant experience there, such as being grabbed in mid-poop and whisked away to be neutered. In that case, simply pick a different location to put the litter box. Cats are smart, but they ain't that smart.

Confine the cat to a small area, like one room instead of the whole house. That way, Fluffy is never far from her litter box and has a lot of time to think about getting familiar with it again. Once the cat is using the box again, slowly let her have access to the rest of the house.

Make sure you thoroughly clean wherever the cat had the accident. This is necessary not only because you don't want your house smelling like cat pee, but also because the lingering smell of her feces or urine will serve to jog her memory later that this is a toilet area. So get rid of the smell. (Note: don't clean with ammonia, as that will enhance the scent of urine.)

If you need to change the location of the litter box from one place to another, one technique is to move it a couple of feet at a time, with a few days in between, so the cat gradually gets used to it being elsewhere. If the cat stops using the box, this is your clue to move it more slowly.

Answer 2

If you haven't already done so then you need to have her examined by your vet to make sure there isn't anything wrong with her. If she is suffering any pain when going to the toilet, she'll associate the pain with her litter tray and this will put her off using it. It could just be a minor urinary infection that could be cleared up quickly with medication.

If you vet cannot find a medical reason, and feel that it's behavioural, they can also offer advice and information.

It can often be something as basic as her not liking the litter on offer. Have you changed brands recently? Cats can be extremely particular about what type of litter they are happy with and sometimes something as simple as reverting to the previous brand can help resolve the problem. Make sure the litter tray is cleaned several times per day.

As someone else has already correctly mentioned, you need to thoroughly clean the area where she has been soiling with a solution of biological washing powder mixed with water. Rinse thoroughly with cold water, then using a plant mister lightly spray the area with surgical spirit to completely remove all trace of any smells and allow to dry. If it's not thoroughly cleaned, she will continue to use this area as her toilet because any lingering smell will reinforce in her mind that this is her toilet area. Don't use bleach or ammonia based cleaners, as to your cat they will just smell like another cat has been in the house and she'll try to cover up their scent by marking there.

Once you are sure you have eradicated the smell completely, try putting her food on this spot, as this will help deter from continuing to use it as her toilet. (who would want to eat their dinner on the toilet?)

Good luck

Answer 3

First thing to do is have her checked by the vet for a urinary tract infection. Cats who associate pain with the litter box are less inclined to use it and will go elsewhere. Often the first sign a cat is sick is a change in behaviour, as this only started two months ago, there could be a problem.

Answer 4

i know how you feel i have been through this. i have 2 female cats when i brang the second cat home my oldest cat did not want to use the same litter box as the other. i tried everything, til just recently i have tile flooring where she would urinate all the time and i was told to use ammonia on the spot and she hasn't urinated there since i know that sounds weird cause cats urine smells like ammonia but i set up a video camera just curious to see the reaction of my cat when she tried to use the bathroom there and she sniffed once and that was the end of it, I'm not sure if this works only with certain cats or what but it was a great for mine....... good luck

Answer 5

I had this problem many years ago and was told by my vet that I should wash the soiled area of the floor with a solution of biological washing powder, after removing the mess of course! The cat can apparently smell where it has fouled before even though disinfectant has been used and then thinks that it should use that spot from then on. The enzymes in the bio washing powder gets rid of that smell.

Answer 6

Put a few drops of eucalyptus oil on the area that you don't want her to use. Cats don't like the smell and it will also cover any scent that may be there. I was advised by my vet to use that when I had the same problem.
It may also be that she doesn't like the cat litter that your using. Mine won't use anything other than the wood pellet type. Try different ones till you find one that she like and then stick with it.

Answer 7

I don't have the answer to your question, but I'm interested in people's responses because I have the same problem with my male cat. We keep the litter box in the bathroom, and he oftentimes defecates outside the box--as in right outside or behind the tub. Because the floor is tiled it's not that big a deal, but obviously rather gross and I'd prefer to sort it out.

Answer 8

my cat is about 14 now and as shes gettin older she really doesnt want to go outside and foul so she stays in and does it. I used fairy liquid to wash the mess out and then rubbed some vinegar on it. I saw this method on How Clean Is Your House where their cat kept fouling. Kim and Aggie are always right lol
xxxxx

Answer 9

it can be an attention thing like with a naughty child.Can you think of any changes around the same time she started this.Was a new dog introduced maybe.Even if she gets on fine with them she may feel her nose is being pushed out.Give her some one to one and reward her with treats when she does use the litter tray she'll soon be won around.also is it a secluded spot maybe she feels unsafe when going if its open to view dogs have a habit of rallying around poops lol maybe its a privacy thing xx

Answer 10

I saw something like this on tv the other day.
The cat kept peeing on his owners bed!
They put his food bowl on the patch on the bed and fed him there for a month, and then gradually moved it back to it's normal location.
The cat then associated the bed with a feed area, and wouldn't pee there anymore. You could give it a try?