Why would my cat poop in the kitchen sink!? Bicycle adversion?

hi, I have a 9 month old cat named Flip and he has been acting really strange for the past wk. Usually we see him around but he's been hiding lately, hardly coming out to eat or drink. After about 3 days of this we finally came to the conclusion that he was terrified of the bicycles we put in my husband's and my room. (they were previously out in the van but due to space issues we temporarily put them inside our appartment)

Now, every time we pick him up and bring him near the room he will scramble to get away, scratching and meowing. Then he will run as fast as I've ever seen him run and hide again! Weird findings since then: 2 days ago-Flip is under the couch hiding licking poop off his bum. terrible, terrible smell. 1day ago- I find cat throw up right beside the litter box. This morning- son runs in our bedroom saying he thinks the cat pooped in our kitchen sink after hearing pawing and scratching near it. We get up and check. sure enough, cat poo in the sink. Just reg lookin' stinky cat poo.

Now why the heck would he do this?! My hubby was NOT happy cleaning it up. (weee down the garbage disposal...i dont' think i'll ever stick my hand down there again to get someting that's fallen) Should I call the vet or take him in? I was reading that cats doing things like this may be sick. The answer is probably yes but I just needed to vent this and also curious if anyone else has dealt w/ something similar. Ty in advance and sry for long post.

Where is his litter box? Is he peeing in outside the litterbox also? If his box is in the same room with the bicycles or he has to walk past the bicycles to get to it, he may refuse to use it and find another place to potty. In that case move the box where he can get to it without being terrorized by the bikes.

If he can get to the box without going near the bikes and is refusing to use the box then I would say a vet check is in order. A vet check may be neccessary anyway, if the fear (stress) of the bikes has brought out an underlying condition.

Keep in mind that cats cannot tell us what's wrong. It's up to us to figure it out.

Because of the sudden behavior changes, i.e. hiding, along with pooping outside of the litter box, I would take him to the vet. Any sudden behavior change like that could mean a health issue. Keep a close eye on him, make sure the box is away from the bikes (in another room), and if it doesn't change, take him to the vet... Do you have a balcony you can put the bikes on, or on the garage?

I read in a cat behavior book about a cat that was terrified of the young son's bike which was brought into the home's foyer - apparently the bike had picked up smells that just scared the poor kitty to death, resulting in inappropriate urination, etc. At this point, a vet check is in order, as are all the above suggestions - and maybe figuring out someplace else for the bikes.

I have to agree with Carolina in this instance. While the bikes may be an issue, the licking poop that was really smelly off of himself, the vomit, and the not using the litter box are ALL indications there's something wrong medically. 85% of the time when a cat pees or poops outside of the box it is a medical problem. Especially when it is in a sink or a bathtub - some place that would have nothing to do with territory.

Sometimes all there is to let you know is a change in behavior like what you're describing - but combined with all of the above, I think he needs to get to a vet.

Laurie

Yeah I think I'll take him to the vet. As for his litterbox, it is actually in our laundry room (though our room w/ the bikes would be in sight if the door is left open). Gonna put the bikes back in my van. Sadly in our appartment we can not have bikes etc. on the balcony or I def. would put them there.

I'm feeling really, really aggrivated today because I woke up and smelled cat urine ALL over my son's blankets and even on one of our small couch pillows. Usually our other cat is the culprit of this (Flip's brother) b/c I've caught him before in the act. I'm wondering if I should just take both cat's into the vet? Usually if the litterbox is clean we have no problems w/ the other cat urinating on things, but the weird thing is, the liitterbox is very clean and he's doing it...or i wonder if it's Flip. sigh..what am I gonna do w/ these two crazy cats? I put them in the laundry room as of now b/c i am just so frustrated.

Sarrow, I'd take them both to the vet. It's the only way to know for sure whether or not the problem is medical or behavioral.

As to preventing repeat problems, even if there is a medical problem, there are steps you need to take:

You must rid anything he/they've peed on of the scent they've left behind - to their noses, not yours! The ONLY way to do this is with an enzyme cleaner. While these are available at most pet stores, they are not all made equal. These two are, in my opinion, the best products available out there: http://www.nokout.com/odorelim/pets/ or http://catfaeries.com/cleanup.html

For any carpeting or furniture, you must soak it down to the floor boards or thoroughly soak the area of pillows/cushions/mattress affected, making sure it gets down into it. Let it sit for 10 or 15 minutes, blot up the excess. We put aluminum foil down over affected areas of carpeting to help prevent continued attraction due to the smell by making it an unattractive texture. For a mattress, put a thick towel or a couple of towels down over it and make the bed. We also put aluminum foil down over cushions and then put a throw blanket over those so we can use the furniture while the stuff dries. It's important to let it air dry. Things like chair or couch cushions or a mattress may require a second application. If it's been going on for some time, anything may need a second application. For walls, wood, or tile floors, just wash them down with the cleaner once or twice.

For any throw rugs, clothing, or bedding, add the enzyme cleaner to the wash like you would fabric softener.

This is how to eliminate the smell they've left behind. Any place that smells like their scent to them just encourages them to keep going there.

Also, it sounds like investing in some Cat Attract additive (sprinkle a bunch on top of the litter) http://www.entirelypets.com/catattract.html and some Feliway - either the plug-ins or the spray - http://www.catfaeries.com/feliway.html might be a good idea. It helps lower kitty stress. Just make sure NOT to plug it in or spray it (whichever you decide to use) anywhere near the litter boxes or places they are supposed to scratch.

Laurie

BTW - they are both neutered, right? Because if they're not, that could be part of the problem right there. Un-neutered male cats spray to mark their territory, and at this age, they've come into sexual maturity.

Laurie

Thank you very much LDG! I will definitly look into buying some of those b/c this has just GOT to stop! Both kittens were neutered at about 6 months old I believe. Gonna make a vet appt. asap!

You may also want to consider purchasing a black light: http://blacklightshop.com/bl6.html

Not expensive. Go through the house at night with all the lights off with the black light. Any place they've peed that you've missed will show up as an orange splotch.

We had a kitty that was peeing for behavioral reasons. Nothing we identified had changed. It took a while to figure it out, and we had to resort to cutting down some large cardboard boxes to lay over our bed when we weren't in it during the day.

You just have to remember they're not trying to upset you. They're trying to let you know something's wrong - be it medical or stress. Either way, we've been there and know the frustration - but trying to remember they're not doing it on purpose at least helps redirect the anger.

Laurie

I don't mean to hijack this thread but this is the first time I have owned a cat. I have always been a cat lover though. I will explain later why I waited a long time to get one.

Anyway, I notice all of you are saying bikes may be the issue and it could be a medical thing. Now this brings me to a question. I also thought when a cat does not use a litter box, it is because the cat is mad at the master or they got a spanking.

tweetykiss, there have been alot of cats that went without medical help because of the belief that the cat is 'getting even' for something the owner did. Cats are not spiteful or vindictive - that's a human trait.

I just read in The Cat Whisperer, by Claire Bessant, of another case where a cat refused to use the litter box when a bicycle was brought into the house. Her belief is that the strange new scents on the bike wheels stressed the cat and it responded by inappropriate elimination. When the bike was removed, the cat went back to using the litter box. Some cats are more sensitive to changes in their environment than others.

Originally Posted by KittiesHasMe

tweetykiss, there have been alot of cats that went without medical help because of the belief that the cat is 'getting even' for something the owner did. Cats are not spiteful or vindictive - that's a human trait.

I just read in The Cat Whisperer, by Claire Bessant, of another case where a cat refused to use the litter box when a bicycle was brought into the house. Her belief is that the strange new scents on the bike wheels stressed the cat and it responded by inappropriate elimination. When the bike was removed, the cat went back to using the litter box. Some cats are more sensitive to changes in their environment than others.

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Thanks for explaining this to me.

Just so you all know, we removed the bikes a few days ago and Flip is back to his old self, sunning himself in his fav spot in the window sill and being part of the family again. The hiding completely stopped. Ya know, that would be a good movie plot: Cat scared of bikes that they think are alien creatures trying to take over their household (lol.. kidding ..) I haven't smelled any urine on any clothes since removing them but have been vigilant, keeping the door in my bedroom closed where i put the clean clothes in laundry baskets before i fold them. (a fav Mario peeing playground). Vet appt is next wk still, but to rule out anything wrong they may have.

That's great. I am sure you, your family and Flip are very relieved (no pun intended).