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Cat Pooping

post #1 of 12
1/23/10 at 5:50pm
Thread Starter 
I had a feeling that putting the litterbox in the garage was a bad idea but I wasn't able to talk my husband out of it. Not long after, the cat was peeing on things in the garage. Today we found poo.

I can't convince hubby to bring the litter box inside. He locks the cat in the garage when we leave the house and all night. Her food and water is out there too.

What should I do?

His comment is that the litter gets everywhere.

Help?
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post #2 of 12
1/23/10 at 6:33pm
What about when the cat in in the house? Is the litterbox accessible to the cat still?

As far as the cat not using the litterbox in the garage? How often do you scoop the litterbox? It should be scooped at least once a day if not more. You should make the litter more appealing to the cat than the stuff in the garage.

Also, you should consider taking the cat to the vet in case there are medical reasons such as a urinary infection or some other problem as to why the cat wouldn't use the litterbox.
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post #3 of 12
1/23/10 at 6:41pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by WELDRWOMN View Post
What about when the cat in in the house? Is the litterbox accessible to the cat still?

As far as the cat not using the litterbox in the garage? How often do you scoop the litterbox? It should be scooped at least once a day if not more. You should make the litter more appealing to the cat than the stuff in the garage.

Also, you should consider taking the cat to the vet in case there are medical reasons such as a urinary infection or some other problem as to why the cat wouldn't use the litterbox.

Cat just came back from vet and she's in great shape except being on a hypoallergenic diet for food allergies.

Litter box is scooped daily. I'm going to change the litter. And when the cat is in the house we put her out in the garage every few hours. No accidents inside the house, only in the garage.

The two poops I cleaned up were not... well formed. I'm wondering if she had accidents because of being on an antibiotic (the food allergy caused her to itch her nose and she had an open sore). She's been off the antibiotic for a day (ended cycle).

I'm going to move the box back inside.

We have just a regular covered box. What's a good mat to catch the litter? Or is there any other box that reduces litter spray outside the box?
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post #4 of 12
1/23/10 at 6:49pm
We use Rubbermaid tote bins for litter boxes. (We cut down the sides a bit so the kitties can easily get in and out of them.) I find they REALLY cut down on the amount of litter that gets flung around. You might also want to try "Cat Attract" litter as I have heard of people having great success with it. Good luck!
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post #5 of 12
1/23/10 at 6:57pm
Thread Starter 
I should proabably state that we used to have the box inside and she never went potty anywhere except in her litter box. This is only since she's been in the garage.
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post #6 of 12
1/23/10 at 6:57pm
The garage can be full of strange smells. Oil, rubber, fuel, various other car fluids. As a mechanic I know this stuff can get pretty pungent, even more so for a cat with their sense of smell. So that may have something to do with it, just being too much for a cat to handle. And all cats are different...my parents keep their litter box in the garage and the cat apparently does not mind.

That being said, if the cat is experiencing diarrhea that could absolutely be a factor in not making it to the litter box. We've all had it, and you know how suddently "that urge" can come on!
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post #7 of 12
1/23/10 at 8:26pm
Cats need access to their litter boxes at all times. Putting her box somewhere she can't get to it is asking for trouble. Not just in the way of accidents, but she could develop a Urinary tract infection (UTI) and constipation problems.

I agree with the above poster about the dangers in the garage.For instance if she walks in oil drips then cleans her feet she will be ingesting it. Antifreeze is highly toxic to cats, and cats will drink it, because they like the taste.

It must be very confusing for your cat who has lived in the house to suddenly be in the garage all the time, except when you are home, and then, in the house, but without access to her toilet.

If your cat will walk on it, you can get those door mats with the plastic "grass". These are great at catching the litter off kitty's feet, but some cats do not like to walk on them. They are cheap enough that it would be worth a try.

Actually, any kind of door mat designed to catch dirt off of shoes would be effective I would think.

You can give her some probiotic for the diarrhea.
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post #8 of 12
1/23/10 at 8:41pm
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract litter worked great at my house, whenever I changed litter pan locations or got a new style of litter box, or a new cat... Also, I use a litter-robot now, but before that I had top-entry style boxes and they are fantastic for reducing the amount of litter tracked through the house! I'd say there was about 70% less litter tracked!

Top entry boxes are pricey if you buy them at the store, but I made them myself out of rubbermaid storage bins. Cut a hole in the lid, use a staple gun to attach some carpet to the top (the carpet helps catch any litter that sticks to your cat's feet when they jump out). All the litter stays on the lid, and when it's time to scoop the box, you just dump it back in! Plus, they hold a ton of litter, the lid contains most of the odor, and I could go days without having to scoop. PM me if you want more details or to see pics.

(I wish the litter-robot was top entry, because now I'm back to sweeping litter off the tile again, but at least I don't have to scoop anymore...I'd say it's a fair trade! )
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post #9 of 12
1/23/10 at 8:46pm
I'm wondering if it isn't all the smells, the unfamiliar area - it doesn't feel like a "safe" place to go.
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post #10 of 12
1/24/10 at 6:07am
Thread Starter 
Going to go over to Petsmart today and see what I can't find at the store for a reasonable price. Luckily, Target is right next door and so is Michaels. If I need to, Home Depot... Building something myself is always an option. Ha ha... I just hope it stays together. I can Gorilla Glue wood, right???

Even though pottying in the house hasn't been a problem, I am going to check out this cat attract litter. Maybe just one use will help her get used to the new location.

She's a wonderful cat (herpes and diet issues included) and I want her to feel loved.
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post #11 of 12
1/24/10 at 7:59am
I've had wonderful luck with Cat Attract, and I've found almost any sort of mat helps with the litter. I have a couple from Petsmart and one from Walmart.

I was thinking, you may have to give your husband a bit of positive reinforcement so he accepts kitty in the house, bag and baggage - maybe a little extra loving and thank you's and favorite foods, and 'oh my, you're so wonderful and patient and loving' to express your and the kitty's appreciation. Anything to make him part of the solution, so to speak

I agree she may just not feel comfortable in the garage, doesn't understand why she's out there sometimes, and the stress alone might be leading to the soft poo.

Having said that, I've keep little diaries of dates/events/changes whenever my darlings have had any sort of issues - it did seem to help the vet find patterns and narrow down diagnoses a bit.

Good luck - believe me, I know how stressful it is when accidents are happening and you're at a loss on how to resolve it, despite your best efforts.
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post #12 of 12
1/24/10 at 3:17pm
Thread Starter 
I got one of those dome cat pans with the ramp.. Boda Dome? I can't remember the name. I also got the kitten attract litter and I got a 'calming colar' for her. I moved her box into the laundry room as well as her food and water. Tomorrow I believe we are going to install a cat door in the laundry room door so we can leave it closed and my son doesn't try to play in the litter box.

*fingers crossed*

Here's hoping. So far she seems to like the cat box. She's playing in there more than anything. I have her closed in the room for the afternoon/evening. I went in and played with her for a little. Fed her. Gave her attention. She's a wonderful cat. I'm sure we'll get things settled. She's still young. Only 8 months if that. She was on the street most of her life or in a shelter. This is her first home. Patience.
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