Why Won't My Cat Poop in the Litter Box Anymore?

[Ria_B]

So my cat has been pooping in the litter box with the same litter inside all of her life. Now she is deciding to poop in the hallway, away from her litter box. I will put her in front of the litter box, and even put her in the litter box (well shove her in is more like it) and she'll just pop out and run away from it and continue to defecate on the said carpet. She'd poop on the old carpet and now is pooping on the new carpet that has been put in a few weeks ago. I thought this was her way of acting out when the older cat would come down and share the house with her. Now she'll do it even when the older cat isn't around. She doesn't even cover it up she'll just leave it there. Another note, this might help too, she has recently been lying down and rubbing herself (that's what it seems like) on anything and everything lately.  Please help, I'm at my wits end and don't know what to do.

[evewisewoman]

Hello there,

Definitely get a separate litter box for this cat . Cats have an amazing
sense of smell and one cat will not use the litter box of another cat as
a rule.  These litter boxes must also be kept very clean. Cats will not
go in a dirty litter box and will find another place to go.  You mentioned
" shoving " this cat that has the poop issues into the litter box . Please
never shove a cat into a litter box for any reason. As Opus89 mentioned,
this may actually make the situation worse. The other advice Opus 89 gave you is also very good. I wish you and your kitty well.   Eve ( mother of Sammy the cat )

[opus88]

a comment on the laying down and rubbing herself, do you mean rubbing in the area of her urethra or anal area? this could be a very strong indication that she is having PAIN in the general area....this kitty could have an infection UTI or bowel pain...they associate the litter box with the source of their pain thus go elsewhere.

I will send you a write up to read through hoping that will help. Please still make sure there is at least one extra litter box available for her
If that doesn't work I strongly suggest she see a Vet to rule out a medical issue going on.

and I also urge you not to 'throw' of discipline kitty this will NOT be of any help and could make matters worse. can you copy and paste this following article to read


http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/06/16/tracking-down-the-cause-of-your-cats-bad-bathroom-habits.aspx

[opus88]

You mentioned there is recently another cat in the household, do u have an extra litter box? It is the rule to have one box PER cat plus one EXTRA....many cats refuse to share