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Advice on my boyfriend's cat?

post #1 of 3
10/13/10 at 12:59pm
Thread Starter 
hi - i am looking for some advice on my boyfriend's cat. he just moved a month ago and is roommates with a friend of mine. his normally very well behaved 12 year old cat in the past month has pooped on the floor NEAR but not IN the litter box. My boyfriend scoops the box 2-3 times a DAY and then changes the whole thing like once a week, so it's NOT too dirty. I thought maybe because of the move (he had to do a gradual move and has been moving in little by little this whole month) maybe the cat is stressed and this is happening as a result. his roommate (the man that owns the house) is giving him heck for it; as a cat owner myself, i believe that he's not doing that bad for the stress i can imagine he's probably under. They put paper under his box, and when he does go on the floor he goes on the paper. he has not gone in any other rooms or any furniture etc.
I guess what i am looking for is 1-advice I can give my boyfriend to help make his cat stop? and 2-advice on what we can tell his roommate to help him understand and be more patient with the cat?

Also, does anyone know how long to expect this, assuming i am correct that it's stress?

And finally, can anyone think of any other reason this might be happening? i dont want to see his roommate make him get rid of the cat. he's a sweet, well behaved cat.

thanks and sorry this was so lengthy!
Suzi
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post #2 of 3
10/13/10 at 1:37pm
Other people here will post and will have better information for you. But, the cat may be pooping outside the litter box because it is experiencing pain while using the litter box. In a cat's mind, it is logical to go outside the box if it hurts when he goes in the box. He may need a visit to the vet.
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post #3 of 3
10/13/10 at 2:39pm
The stress may have triggered something, so to be on the safe side, Primula's right - a vet visit is definitely in order.

That said, pooping is generally a sign of territory marking, and yes, the move may have triggered this. Has your boyfriend cleaned the places he's pooped with an enzyme cleaner? This is the only thing that will remove the smell of poop to kitty's nose.

He may also want to buy some Feliway. This can be bought in a plug-in or spray. It's a synthetic hormone that mimics the "friendly" markers in cats' cheeks, and helps reduce stress.

Something else that has helped a number of kitties is the litter called Cat Attract. I'll have to search for one of Carolina's posts, because I think she's posted links to a discount on purchasing it.

I'd suggest that the BF schedule a vet visit, and explain to the room mate that the stress of the situation may have made him sick, or may otherwise be causing this, but he's got a plan of action (vet visit to rule out illness, cleaning area with enzyme cleaner, using Feliway to reduce stress, and changing litter to Cat Attract) that should stop the problem.
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