Pooping outside Litter Box

vlinder

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I just don't know what to do! My 8-year-old cat has been pooping outside her litter box for a few months now. I've read a lot of the old threads and have tried some things but I just don't know what her deal is.

She will ALWAYS pee in the litter box, but will poop outside the litter box on our carpet remnant. I've taken off the enclosed part of the litter box and that's not the problem; she still poops outside the box. I've tried putting two boxes for her down there, she just poops farther away from the other box. I don't think her bottom is hanging out cause it's too far away from the box for that to be going on. I've used the same litter, forever, and she's never had a problem with it (Arm & Hammer Natural stuff, clumping).

The only thing, maybe, I can see is that I changed her food a while ago from Science Diet (it was just way too expensive!!) to the Sam's Club brand (yes, I know it's cheap but my budget needs something cheaper than SD!) Any suggestions for cheap, nutritional, cat food????

We haven't been to the vet yet, but I don't want to take her if he's going to be like, well, yeah she's fine!! So.... any suggestions?? Sorry, I know I'm cheap, but we're on a really tight budget and I don't think I'd be able to get rid of her, she's such a good cat!

Please help! Thanks.
Christie
 

kittenkiya

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Hey, I know all about budgets. No comment on that. However, this missing the box.......hmmmmmm...same litter, extra box....do you scold her when you find the miss? I was wondering if she was wanting some more attention? I know that sound funny, but heck, these are cats we are talking about. How do you have your littlebox, is it placed longways, or shortways? Hmmm....this is a puzzler.
 
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vlinder

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Nope- I don't scold her! In fact, I never even see her poop, her litter box is down in our (unfinished) basement and she always poops sometime during the night. She only poops every other day too, as I scoop every day!!

I just called the vet, and they have no clue. Said she should be adjusted to her "new" diet of cheaper food by now and that she shouldn't have worms since she's a completely indoor cat!
 

gingersmom

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Here's a strange idea: what about putting the carpet remnant that she likes to poop on into one of the litter boxes, but without litter on it? Maybe she just likes to poop on that piece of carpet?
 

juliekit

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Originally Posted by GingersMom

Here's a strange idea: what about putting the carpet remnant that she likes to poop on into one of the litter boxes, but without litter on it? Maybe she just likes to poop on that piece of carpet?
good idea!

I cant help you on the litterbox problem, but if you are already buying in bulk by buying the Sams Club food, maybe you can get the Kirkland Cat food found at Costco? The doggie version is very high quality, so im assuming the cat version will be the same.
 

gailuvscats

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trader joes is a little cheaper than SD and good quality, 5.5 ounce can for 49cents. I have three cats and this is a problem for me too. I want to give them a good quality wet food diet, but really can't justify it on my budget and expenses. they share 2 cans of wet, and get supplemented with dry every day. They seem to be ok with this, and I think they would prefer all dry, I don't want to take the chance on the FIS issues.
 

kittenkiya

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Aha, a clue. Is it possible that she is pooping in the box and too vigorously "covering" it over and actually kicking it out of the box???
 

furry4fury

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Gingersmom posted this for tail positions - but they have other behavioural ideas as well - feces to make their territory - repeated pooping in the same place - check it out.....
BTW - Thanks Gingersmom" it was very interesting and helpful-


Here's a great link, complete with drawings. Scroll to the bottom for Tail Language!

http://www.messybeast.com/cat_talk2.htm
 

chaunte

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I have a cat that does that sometimes.
If the litterbox is not "clean enough" she will poop outside the box.

If the box has a top, remove the top for awhile.
Cat Urine burns your nose & their noses are more sensitive than ours.
I took my top off a year ago & there are no more pooping issues.
 

shanynne

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Do you give her monthly Revolution or Frontline treatments? Indoor cats can and do get parasites, such as fleas. This could be her way of saying help, as often worms etc. can be detected in their stools. Try to bring a sample of her stool next time so the vet can check it out under the microscope.

Good luck
Shanynne
Extreme Kitty Lover
 
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