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cat defecating beside litter box
My 2 1/2 yr old female cat has recently started deficating on the floor beside the litter box. We have a multi cat household with numerous litter boxes and yes there have been a number of stressful changes: my husband's death, oldest daughter moved away and took one cat, new cat added. She seemed to be okay until the new cat felt confident enough to fight back when she would jump him. I thought at the time she was just trying to play with him (he, is totally blind so he can't play chase), but now I'm thinking it was more like "I'm the boss". I am giving her a supplement I got from the vet that worked for another cat, to help her feel less stressed, but the problem still exists. Any suggestions or advice?
Because cat learns to use the litter box from its mother. There is a chance that he/she won't know how to use it if being separated from the mother too soon. So when your cat doesn't want to use its litter box, there are a few things you could try.
https://obeymycat.com/top-rated-automatic-cat-litter-boxes-review/cat-not-use-litter-box/
First is to change the box, it could be the size or shape of the box that makes your cat dislike it. Second, consider using a different type of litter might solve the problem. Litters with attractive smells will tend to work better. If you had tried both and none of them worked, here is another method which could be helpful. Use a rag to clean the urine and poop of your cat. Then place the rag into the litter box. Your cat will notice a familiar smell and come to the box.
https://obeymycat.com/top-rated-automatic-cat-litter-boxes-review/cat-not-use-litter-box/
First is to change the box, it could be the size or shape of the box that makes your cat dislike it. Second, consider using a different type of litter might solve the problem. Litters with attractive smells will tend to work better. If you had tried both and none of them worked, here is another method which could be helpful. Use a rag to clean the urine and poop of your cat. Then place the rag into the litter box. Your cat will notice a familiar smell and come to the box.
Thanks so much for your reply Donna. I am giving her a supplement from my vet that is similar to what you described and now that she has been on it for 3 weeks things are improving, the behavior is not a daily occurrence anymore and she is wanting to snuggle on my lap again.
I am going to check into the diffuser you mentioned. With Christmas approaching she could become very stressed again as my daughter and her cat will be home from university for almost a month and it will be our first Christmas without my husband so emotions will be high.
Thanks again for taking the time to answer.
Carol
I am going to check into the diffuser you mentioned. With Christmas approaching she could become very stressed again as my daughter and her cat will be home from university for almost a month and it will be our first Christmas without my husband so emotions will be high.
Thanks again for taking the time to answer.
Carol
I would imagine kitty is just stating she isn't happy with the new addition(stress)...can you give her a box of her own away from all the others? put some of her floor deposit's in the new box so it will have her scent...
heres an article for you to read. good luck♥
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/06/16/tracking-down-the-cause-of-your-cats-bad-bathroom-habits.aspx
heres an article for you to read. good luck♥
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/06/16/tracking-down-the-cause-of-your-cats-bad-bathroom-habits.aspx
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I have three cats and although I haven't had this problem one of my boys developed a bladder infection which could have been brought on by being stressed because of the other two cats that liked to "pick" on him and stalk him.
I bought a feliway diffuser (it also comes in spray)it enables reactions to stressful situations to be controlled and avoided. feliway use can be used for stress inducing situations such as: moving to a new home, visits to the vet, adoption, introducing new arrivals, overcrowding...
Feliway can be used to restore the natural balance as it mimics the cats facial pheromones, creating a state of well-being and calm.
the diffuser covers 500-750 feet of area so I bought two at my vets office and it was half the price compared to purchasing in a pet store. The refills (need to be replaced every 4 weeks) are around $14.00 at my vets office.
It has really helped with my Spook, he does not seem as stressed.
I also put my terrible two up in a seperate room at night with a litter box, food and water to give my Spook some peace and quiet when we go to bed.
Also when I see any of the two starting to stalk him or anything I "warn" them and if they still continue they go upstairs for a "time out"..
I also buy at our local Big "R" a treat called "calming" by Pet naturals of Vermont it supports stress reduction and contains b1, L-Theanine and colostrum calming complex..This seems to calm the boys down somewhat when they start acting up and makes my Spook less anxious.
Another litter box in a place where only your baby can use would be perfect but I tried that for my Spook and it is difficult. The only thing I do is when I scoop out their litter boxes (3-4 times a day) I put just a light layer of fresh over the old, this makes my picky Spook very happy as he likes his litter box to be clean and he will smell it before he goes in it and if it does not satisfy him he will go on to another litter box till he finds one that satisfy him !
Hope this helps.