litter box issues

[Melalvai]

We have a cat that pulls that same trick, exactly what you describe. She'll go in the box to pee and then come out and poop right in front.

Spraying Feliway around the area seems to work pretty well. I guess it's more for multiple-pets issues but maybe she hasn't gotten used to being an only pet. I'm not sure exactly what is is or why it works, it's supposed to be like cat pheromone and calms them I guess? But it does seem to help her.

We also got her Booda boxes, with little steps to climb into the box on, it seems to be easier for her to get in & out of.

Good luck. It's a frustrating problem and I admire that you want to make it right for her. It's the only way she knows of expressing that something isn't right, but it's so hard to figure out what that something is so we can make it right for her.

[bmccasland]

Will acquire Feliway and try that.

Calypso is a youngster - only 4. Both my senior kitties have crossed the rainbow bridge, and they always used the litter box.

Calypso is a stinker...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I don't want to scare you but i felt i should mention this story-
I knew a family with a lovely young cat who started pooping outside the box, this was years ago. They were at their wit's end and began to 'punish' the poor cat (something I would never have done for sure). Finally the cat was getting ill and the vet found it had a large brain tumor and that was the reason. It had to be put to sleep but the woman felt terrible guilt about shaming and punishing the poor cat when it really was just terribly ill. Sorry, what an awful story. But I wanted to make sure people understood that sometimes the cat really cannot help it and it sometimes is not a behavior/habit issue at all.

[Norse]

We have a cat that pulls that same trick, exactly what you describe. She'll go in the box to pee and then come out and poop right in front.

Same here. Or, she will pee in one box and then get out and go to the other box to poo. My theory is that she likes a really clean litter box and once one is used, it is no good until cleaned!

[moonfroggy]

we used to have two boxes and my cats used one for pee and the other for poop. i have heard many cats prefer to have separate boxes for each.

also when my cat that passed away last december was getting older she wouldn't poop in the box anymore she was so old we didn't try and change what she was doing just kept paper and stuff around box to make mess easier to clean up and kept her as comfortable and happy as possible. the veterinarian said that a lot of cat's when they get older will find the position to poop painful and then associate pain with the litter box so avoid the box. but if op you already talked to a vet that may not be case for you.

my current cat i have had for a long time and he is so picky about only using a box that smells like he has used it that he once held it for 36 hours at the veterinarians. i have never known a cat so picky about having his box and i have no idea why he is so picky. he prefers to go outside if that is an option rather than use a box at all but if he needs a box it better be his box and only his box.

[Xrayted]

Is this current box a leftover from when the other cats were there? If so, maybe think about getting a totally new box and a new location for it. Also, take the car mats out of there since they have become the place to go and put something down in that current area that will make them not want to go there at all for any reason. Don't put the cat box anywhere near the cat's food, either. They don't like to **** where they eat anymore than you do.

[spokewench]

Actually, Karma came around for me with my new kitty. I had a very old geriatric cat who tried to make it to his box, but often had many accidents, leaked and was just really old. So, I spent probably a couple of years cleaning up after him, washing loads of towels every week, etc., etc.

Now, Jag adopted me. My new little black kitty will not use a box; he has access to outside and outside he goes. He used a box once this year when the snow got too much for him; that was it.

I'm getting a well deserved break for now!

[bmccasland]

Same here. Or, she will pee in one box and then get out and go to the other box to poo. My theory is that she likes a really clean litter box and once one is used, it is no good until cleaned!

That may be part of it. She was an only cat until she joined our household. Then she became housemate to two older cats, with kidney problems. She definitely doesn't like to share. Didn't get the Feliway today. Will get it tomorrow.

[jessmarimba]

I have a cat who seems to find it more comfortable to poo while perched on the edges/corner of the litter box. Thus, the poop falls right outside of it (rather than in it). It drives me up the wall...it smells AWFUL! - but I'm not sure there's anything I can do about it. If I get a box with a lid, she poops out the door. I think it's her way of keeping her fur clean (she has remarkably long back leg,tail, and butt fur).