Help! Cat pooing on floor!

[LMenz]

Hi all,

Was hoping somebody could help - we moved house about a month ago and our two cats settled in really well. We have just started letting them outside for short periods. So far so good.

The problem is our youngest cat has just started pooing on the floor in the night time (when we are alseep) - even though the litter is clean. She will wee in the litter but refuses to poo in there.

I don't know how to break the habit. It's driving my DH crazy as he's the one who has to clean it up

Any ideas? Thanks! :)

[Ryan&RileysMum]

have you tried moving the litter tray to aanother spot
?
if a cat feels insecure in that particular area its not likely to sit there for decent periods of time trying to do poo
wees are quick so it knows it will be in and out in a jiffy poos are a bit longer

[Little_Toad]

How about masking tape over its bum?

[LMenz]

have you tried moving the litter tray to aanother spot
?
if a cat feels insecure in that particular area its not likely to sit there for decent periods of time trying to do poo
wees are quick so it knows it will be in and out in a jiffy poos are a bit longer

She poo's just in front of the litter tray :banghead: We moved it to that spot the other night but she still poo's in front of it. I'm at my wit's end........

[Ryan&RileysMum]

She poo's just in front of the litter tray :banghead: We moved it to that spot the other night but she still poo's in front of it. I'm at my wit's end........

hmmmm then i would suggest ring your local vet and explain the situation they can usually help in these areas if you get a nurse and she doesnt know ask for the vet

[LMenz]

Thanks for that.....I was thinking I would have to.

[Shazbutt]

Maybe try a covered litter tray, she might feel more secure...but then again, she might just do it in front still too.... :rolleyes: It's a weird one, as she obviously doesn't mind weeing in there?

[Mum2Tyla]

Hi,
some cats do not like to defecate in a litter tray if it has been urinated in, maybe try having a couple of litter trays to see if this helps.
Kelly

[Ryan&RileysMum]

depending on how far you have moved how long you lived in the last house ect it could have an emotional issue
my sil had to go to england to work for three years and left her cat with dp and his mother
when she came back she got her cat back and went and lived with a friend her friend had another cat that didnt like sil's and so poor sil's cat had to be confined to the bedroom
as a result the cat ended up with depression and had to be medicated

btw now they have left that house the cat is fine
as it can do what it pleases
id still seriously suggest ringing the vet
they can ask you a whole heap of questions that you may have forgotten in your post

[HollyHotLips]

How about masking tape over its bum?

Or a cork! :laughing:

I agree with what R&R's Mum says, it could well be just that she feels unsettled and not comfortable in her new home. Give her lots of reassurance and a little time - I'm sure she'll grow out of it, but if you're really concerned then definitely worth asking the vet for some tips!

Have you tried google as well as I've done this when my cats have had behavioural issues and found a few suggestions that help.

[LMenz]

depending on how far you have moved how long you lived in the last house ect it could have an emotional issue
my sil had to go to england to work for three years and left her cat with dp and his mother
when she came back she got her cat back and went and lived with a friend her friend had another cat that didnt like sil's and so poor sil's cat had to be confined to the bedroom
as a result the cat ended up with depression and had to be medicated

btw now they have left that house the cat is fine
as it can do what it pleases
id still seriously suggest ringing the vet
they can ask you a whole heap of questions that you may have forgotten in your post

Thanks for that - We have moved about 5km away and were at our last house for 2 years. I thought it could be her adjusting but she only started doing it recently - no problems for the first two weeks. Today she is even refusing to go outside unless I go with her :confused: I think I'll pop down to the vet on the weekend and see what they suggest. In the mean time I might put another litter tray down at night, just in case :fingerscrossed:

[Ryan&RileysMum]

in the mean time if she is pooing in fornt of the liter tray maybe put news papre under and around it
good luck

[dragonflyblu]

Once a cat starts going in one spot they will keep going there so you will need to clean her smell away from the spot she is pooing. I cannot for the life of me remember the name of the product, but I am pretty sure it is an amonia based cleaner (?) anyway it is a pet smell cleaner IYKWIM. Maybe you could put some of her poo in the litter, just a small bit so she smells herself there and it might encourage her to go. Unfortunately even after many many years our cat wil still poo outside the litter, not everytime but quite a bit. It is not stress related and it doesnt matter if the litter is clean or dirty. It seems to depend on her mood...