Cat poos on carpet. Should I take her back, before I get too attached?

Question

my new 2 year old cat is continuing to poo on the carpet in different spots throughout my small appartment. I have four litter boxes placed at most of the locations where she has gone, but she finds a new place to go on my carpet. I even changed the cat litter to a non scented and I been placing her in them. I have had her a week and when I first got her I put her in a safe room for a few days (bathroom) with food, water, sleeping area and litter box. She did go in the box in here. Im thinking because its just a small room. i been trying to keep up with the cleaning but its getting worse. tonight, i put her back in the safe room because Im not sure what to do. I adopted her to give my other cat a friend , but they do not like each other. I like her, but before I get too attached, I was thinking about returning her. Im not sure if im going to have the time to train this cat. I feel she is not happy here too. Thinking about taking her back. I will feel guilty if i end my commitment.

Answer 1

You aren't happy, your first cat isn't happy, and the new companion isn't happy- I'd say give her back. Not every cat fits in with a new family. I wouldn't feel guilty about it as long as I hadn't harmed the cat or done anything to make her feel uncomfortable in my home.

Answer 2

Well, adopting a cat is a very good and nice thing. If you don't have the time and patience to help your cat become comfortable and eventually most likely use the litterbox than I think you should definately take her back so she can be placed into a home that will fit better. Maybe look into another cat to befriend your cat- one that your cat will like. After all, if your cat also doesn't like the new cat then it really defeats the whole purpose right? Consider a cat that is younger- maybe even 3-6 months. Ususally a little easier to train and will also be more apt to mesh with your cat, and your cat will remain dominant and not threatened.
We had an older cat and decided to get her a friend, we adopted a 6 month old. They didn't get along for about a week or so- but then she started to tolorate him, and soon they became best friends. We had him neutered, so no worries there. They sleep next to eachother, eat at the same time, drink at the same time- always play together. We also had quite an issue with the litter box, but a different reason I think. We had him and he just would NEVER use the litter box! He knew to, if we were staring at him he would use it- otherwise we'd alway find it on the floor! I had considered taking him back to the Humane Society- but he was a sweet cat and we had already spent so much money on him as well as the months we had him. I just knew I couldn't go the next 5-10 years or more having to clean up after him.
I tried a lot of things, moved the litter box into one area and actually I do not let him in the bathroom- which was where he liked to go on the floor! If we leave the bathroom door open he tries to sneak in and go, but other than that it is perfect.
Your problem could be that the cat is older and is used to being dominant and trying to mark her new territory- or just trying to get her scent all over the house so she may feel more comfortable. You would need to really work with her and not get frustrated- if you choose to keep her. But, if there is the thought you might take her back than I would do it soon so that you/her and anyone else will not get attached. Also, if it is making your other cat upset- that is always a sign.
Good luck!

Answer 3

Cats are really clean by nature, so when they don't use their litter box, something is wrong. Please don't give up on her, this is something that can be resolved with patience and effort on your part.

Cats are highly territorial and as you say, your cat is none too pleased at having a "friend". Not of all them are happy with sharing, and have no hesitation in making the new cat feel unwelcome. Is there the possibility that your existing cat is blocking her access to the litter boxes? Alternatively, she may be soiling around the home to mark some of it as territory for herself. When cats leave their faceces out in the open, it's done as a deliberate signal to tell other cats "keep out" or "I have a right to be here". Cats like to be surrounded by their own scent as they find it comforting. Normally they scent mark territory by rubbing their cheeks against furniture and paintwork around the home, but urination or defecation is a much quicker method. A Feliway plug-in diffuser may help as it mimics the "friendly" scent found in a cat's cheek glands, and should help both cats feel more relaxed.

The best way to introduce a new cat into the home of another is very slowly. I think you should revert back to your original plan of keeping her in a separate room with her own food and litter. She'll feel a little less intimidated and should begin using the litter box again. Let the cats "meet" each other by smell before you consider allowing them to meet face to face. The web articles below has really good step by step advice on how to do this.

http://www.tulsa-animalshelter.org/tips/intro%20cat.htm
http://www.messybeast.com/first-impressions.htm

Based on personal experience, it can take anywhere from a week to a couple of months for a new cat to be fully accepted by the resident cat. They may never become best friends, but they can learn to co-exist peacefully.

Remember that this must be a very stressful time for her. Not only does she have a new home and owner, but she's also moved into another cat's territory, so I'm sure she will appreciate a lot of affection and reassurance from you.

Hope it all works out. Good luck.

Answer 4

No, don't take her back. THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL. My kittens did the same thing when I got them. They refuse to go, but they will go on occasions. Just take the litter box into a room with a door then stay in the room for small periods at a time when you think she needs to go to the toilet or just at random times. It would be best to do this after dinner. It doesn't take too long. THIS IS A QUICK AND EFFECTIVE METHOD.It only takes a few minutes of you in the room, then closing the door.
Here is the steps:
1.Go into the Safe Room with the Cat (the Room must be small- medium size and have her litter boxes, food and water in it. The room should also have a window)
2. Stay there for a few minutes (don't say anything, just stay quite)
3. Then close the door and leave the Cat in there with all it's supplies for a while.
4. Do this for a few weeks and the cat should gradually get the hang of it! Only take the Cat out when you want to pat it and give it attention.
This is easier to do with kittens, but can be affective with older cats too. This is not a cruel method. The cats usually enjoy being alone.
If she goes in the litter box, Reward her. for more info go to http://perfectpaws.com/litter.html
Hope this has helped!

Answer 5

If she goes in the litter box in a small room then your prolly giving her too much freedom too soon.. is there another room you could put her in thats a little bit bigger than the first room but still not free in the whole house? Like, my aunt put her new kitten in the master bathroom until it learned to use the litter box.. then she let it in the master bathroom and the master bedroom.. then add on the hallway.. then the rest of the house..
Also, another thing to think about.. even tho you have many litter boxes.. some cats wont use a litter box that another cat has.. or maybe shes afraid the other cat wont let her? After you clean the litter box, and put everything fresh, will she use it then? maybe you could try getting one of those self cleaning boxes, that way it will always be fresh. You could try putting them both in the bathroom to see if she will still use the litter box while the other cat is in there, But if there not getting along to well make sure you only do this while your home and listen for sounds of fighting and check on them often.
Don't worry too much if your cats don't like each other right away, right now your cat sees this new one as an intruder, once she realizes that its not going anywhere they will become friends.. it took my aunts cats 2 or 3 weeks to get to know each other, then they were the best of friends, and sleep cuddled up together. Good work on trying to help your kitty, and Good luck with her :)
I'd like to commend you for trying to find a solution before just taking her back! don't worry too much if your cats don't like each other right away, right now your cat sees this new one as an intruder, once she realizes that its not going anywhere they will become friends.. it took my aunts cats 2 or 3 weeks to get to know each other, then they were the best of friends, and sleep cuddled up together. Good work on trying to help your kitty, and Good luck with her :)

Answer 6

There could be several reasons why she is not using the litter tray. However cats by nature are clean animals so this is unusual. getting a friend for your cat is not like getting a friend for a dog, as you cat is established and will not take kindly to a new arrival, so they will probably NEVER be friends.
This is probably upsetting the new arrival who feels very stressed and bullied and that is why she is going other places to poo. When she was shut up in a small room she probably did feel safe, but that wasnt the idea whan you took on two cats was it - to keep one in the bathroom!
I would give it a little longer but if no improvement dont feel guilty, you have done your best but you cant have cat poo everywhere.
The cat will probably be best as an only cat somewhere else.

Answer 7

When I have had a new cat, I was already attached by the time I had her for a week. Your new cat does not seem like a good fit for your household. She is using the carpet instead of a litter box because she is unhappy. If you do not have time to spend on making this cat happy, you might be doing her a favor by taking her back. I have owned cats for thirty years. How do you train a cat? What do you train cats to do?
When we had our new cats isolated in a separate room in their new home, we stayed in that room with them. We never left them alone more than a few minutes. They get scared and lonely in a new strange place. Wouldn't you?

Answer 8

Cats really hate change of any kind. Is one of the four litter boxes in the bathroom? I know if I change my cats litter box location (It's in the laundry room) she also Pooh's in the bedroom, and sometimes when the door to the laundry room is closed and she can't get in she does it in the bedroom.

Maybe she did this before, that's why the previous owner gave her away.

Answer 9

I always keep my cats in a safe room for 2 weeks and only let them out to spend time with me. I leave the litter box in there for awhile after because they are used to it being there. Then I slowly move it to where it will be kept permanently. I hope this works out for you and your cats.

Answer 10

Dont feel guilty You need to do what not only best for you but for the cat as well.. Its a new place it may need time to adjust. As for the other cat it may just need time to get use to the new member of the family.. As for your problem talk to your vet maybe they have some suggestions on what you could do to try and break her habit.... Worse comes to worse take her back.. It may just not be the right pet for you..

Answer 11

Ok Jay~ So I am not a cat fan AT ALL ~ however, I know a thing or two about them. Depending on how old she is and her history she may need a little bit more attention then you can give. Cat's are WIERD. I respect them and they can tell if they are in a loving environment or not. If you are already hesitating, you should give her to someone that can give her the time and love she deserves. Good luck