A cat question

[wannabee]

We have had a kitten in our home for about 6 months. No problem with the litter box until yesterday. Last night he pooped in the bath tub and he just did it again. Any thoughts to why he would do this. We have not changed anything about his food or litterbox.

Hoping some more experieced cat owners can help. Thanks!!

 

[bushdianee]

We had a cat for about 15 years that would periodically do the same thing. She never went anywhere else in the house, only the tub. We never figured out why. At least it makes for an easy cleanup!

 

[okeydokey]

How clean are you keeping his litter box? Some cats won't use one that has lots of waste in it.

 

[akcire]

I second checking the litter box. We have one that will not use a dirty litter box or use the litter box if anything "stinky" is in the area, such as paint fumes.

 

[jmpurdy]

Also, if there is a lid on the litter pan, remove it asap. Some cats develop an aversion to the lid. Cats in the wild do not go in caves. They go out in the open. They instinctively need to see their surroundings (for prey). The cleanliness of the litter box is also key. Clean it every day. If you have more than one cat, add another box. One box per cat. Good luck!

 

[puffkin]

Also, keep your bathroom doors closed

We have a naughty cat who is obsessed with cabinet doors. She needs them opened at all times. She will also take things out of the cabinets to play with, and the dog chews things up. So all our bathroom doors are always closed and the kitchen cabinets have baby locks on them (installed long before we even had our DS).

 

[Disney Doll]

Once a week my DSisIL empties her 2 cats' litterboxes (1 for each) and cleans them good and then refills them with litter. She doesn't have covers on them, but they are in the laundry room so the cats have some "privacy".

My DNephew who is a vet always told me that when an animal suddenly starts to do something that they've never done before, to check for physical issues (infection, open wounds, stomach problems) first then emotional/environmenntal issues (dirty litterbox, something scared the cat last time it used the litterbox, new cat in the house, some other change).

 

[feenie]

We have a cat that will PEE in the tub sometimes... (NASTY!) but she hovers right over the drain. She only does it when we are also in the bathroom (that we know of anyway...).

Our cats poop on the floor when their box is not cleaned to their standards.

 

[Katie Dawn]

If none of the above works it wouldn't hurt to call the vet.

Cats will "go" outside of their litter pan if 1) they are sick or 2) they are upset about something. For not being able to communicate, it's a pretty brilliant way of communicating, no?

Congrats on your new kitty... other than this little bump in the road it will be lots of fun!

 

[sbell111]

I would first verify that the litterbox is clean, welcoming (no lid), and in a spot where the cat doesn't feel threatened and has a little privacy. If these things are OK, I would take him to the vet.

 

[Simba's Mom]

How clean are you keeping his litter box? Some cats won't use one that has lots of waste in it.

Oh, yes-that's our cat's way of letting us know it's time to clean his litter box. When I clean the litter box, DH always says "Oh, did Tigger let you know it was time?" "No, but I don't want to wait until he lets me know!" And as soon as he has a new box, he runs in there and throws his kitty litter around, peeing and pooping like he's been holding it for the longest time.

 

[Squirlz]

I had a male cat that developed urinary blockage. When they associate the litter box with the pain, they will go elsewhere.