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Kitty pees in the litter but poops anywhere else.

post #1 of 9
12/2/10 at 8:11pm
Thread Starter 
Moved in with my girlfriend in August. Brought my female cat along, she's adjusted fine (My cat is a little over 2yrs old). GF decided to get a male kitty from a classmate. We are in a two bedroom apartment and have two litter boxes, one in the kitchen and one in the back room. We keep both clean. The male kitty will pee in the litter boxes but not cover it up. He poops everywhere else. If the bathroom door is open he'll go in the bathtub. If the door is shut he'll go 1ft away from the litter in the kitchen. He has also gone once in our bedroom and next to the other litter in the back room. I talked to a coworker who said to take his stool and put it in the litter so he can associate it better. I've been trying that for two weeks with no luck.

We got him back in the middle of October, I think he's about 20 weeks old at this point? He's been to the vet and had all his shots. He is not neutered, yet. The two cats appear to both get along at this point. He mainly chases my cat around. He never stops running around.

Help! How can I get this kitty to use the litter?
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post #2 of 9
12/2/10 at 9:01pm
1- You need to neuter him...
2- what type of litter and litter boxes are you using?
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post #3 of 9
12/3/10 at 5:07am
Thread Starter 
1. We didn't think we needed to neuter him this early. Would that help with him not using the litter?

2. Both litter boxes have the cover over them. In the kitchen when we first got him we bought a small one and then later I got the larger covered one. I kept both there for awhile and now just have the extra large one in the kitchen and the other covered litter I brought from my old apt in the back room
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post #4 of 9
12/3/10 at 5:19am
What is the consistency of his stools? Soft? normal? Firm?
Was he given two courses of dewormer or treated with Revolution/Advantage Multi for two monthly doses two months in a row? Did he get dewormed for tapeworms?
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post #5 of 9
12/3/10 at 5:38am
Thread Starter 
I would say more firm. Not rock hard or anything, and I haven't noticed any blood. It's never really an issue of picking up.

I know the girl that used to have him works at a vet and he got dewormer then. A few weeks after that my girlfriend took him back in for some other shot and they gave the vet gave us dewormer which we gave to him a few days later.
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post #6 of 9
12/3/10 at 5:50am
Funny thing about cats. If peeing or pooping causes discomfort or pain they'll blame the litter box and go elsewhere.
Not being able to see your kittens stools myself I can't say if his are firm enough that they may be hurting him a bit, but it's certainly a possibility and other members here have had this issue with their cats before. (That reminds me..I wonder how little Buck is doing? - a kitten that had too firm of stools and was dragging poop/pooping outside the box)

You can and certainly should mention this to the vet. You also run the risk of both cats having roundworms if you introduced them prior to your kitten being fully dewormed or if that kitten wasn't dewormed properly time wise.

In the meantime (over the weekend if you can't get in to see the vet this week) make sure your kitten is getting some wet food. If he already gets some add a little water to it. The idea is to make the stools not be quite so firm so that they're easier to pass.
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post #7 of 9
12/3/10 at 7:53am
To AutoSciz and anyone else with this problem I am going to give you all the following information. First have the animal checked by a licensed veterinarian. Then if/when the animal check out normal do the following: First get a dog crate. But make sure when you select the dog crate it is ONLY big enough to fit a litter box, food dish, water dish, and a towel.

Then put the cat in there. The reason for this so the cat "has to use the litter box" or can "learn to use the litter box". Then once the cat has been using the litter box in the crate reliable (at least a week) you can let the cat out when you can WATCH him/her.

Then in about a week of no accidents when you have been watching the cat transition the cat and his "basic needs" into a small bathroom. I would say keep the cat in the bathroom or very small room for at least two weeks.

Once the the cat is using the litter box reliably in that small area you can let the cat into your home slowly. Watch the cat and if it has any accidents return it to the crate and start the process all over again.

Lastly make sure the area that the accidents have been are cleaned with an enzymatic cleaner.

Hope this has helped and if you need any clarification let me know.
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post #8 of 9
12/3/10 at 9:14am
Usually pooping out of the box isn't health related but more an aversion to the type of litter pan or litter you are using. I would toss out the covers of the pans (most cats hate that, especially if you aren't timely about cleaning and scooping it). Add another litter pan or two- two cats should have three pans. depending on how old the kitten is, he is used to pooping wherever he wants to and mom provides instant cleanup. For kittens under the age of 6 months, I use the disposable foil baking pans that you can buy at the grocery store- you get four for just a few dollars. The type you roast meats in. Use plain clay litter and give the kitty a choice of locations in your home.

I would advise against putting him in a crate-if you had to live on top of a toilet, your food and water, well it would just make you grumpy. Put him in a small bathroom until he learns that the litter pan is his friend. Neutering him won't make him go poop in a litter pan- but neutering him is a really good idea anyway!

It sounds more like the kitty is stressed and with the holidays approaching, suspect your stress level might also be raised a bit. Just increase the amount of pans you are using, and in the places where he has pooped in the house, put small bowls of food there. Cats won't poop where they eat (or spray Catnip spray in the spots to turn it into a play area)

Good luck!
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post #9 of 9
12/3/10 at 1:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hissy View Post
Usually pooping out of the box isn't health related but more an aversion to the type of litter pan or litter you are using. I would toss out the covers of the pans (most cats hate that, especially if you aren't timely about cleaning and scooping it). Add another litter pan or two- two cats should have three pans. depending on how old the kitten is, he is used to pooping wherever he wants to and mom provides instant cleanup. For kittens under the age of 6 months, I use the disposable foil baking pans that you can buy at the grocery store- you get four for just a few dollars. The type you roast meats in. Use plain clay litter and give the kitty a choice of locations in your home.

I would advise against putting him in a crate-if you had to live on top of a toilet, your food and water, well it would just make you grumpy. Put him in a small bathroom until he learns that the litter pan is his friend. Neutering him won't make him go poop in a litter pan- but neutering him is a really good idea anyway!

It sounds more like the kitty is stressed and with the holidays approaching, suspect your stress level might also be raised a bit. Just increase the amount of pans you are using, and in the places where he has pooped in the house, put small bowls of food there. Cats won't poop where they eat (or spray Catnip spray in the spots to turn it into a play area)

Good luck!


Make sure to uncover the litter boxes - covered boxes are a big no-no.
Scented litter another no-no... Pine litter another no-no, a lot of cats don't like it (don't know what you are using, so I am throwing this in there).
I highly recommend a litter called Cat Attract litter, or Kitten Attract Litter - you can get them in major pet supply stores. Here is a rebate form so your first bag is free (up to 40lbs!).
Also, make sure you have the boxes in a good location - accessible locations work great - if you have a hallway, in the end of the hallway, is usually a great one, as they can see the movement in different rooms, have some privacy, but don't get startled easily. If you must put in a room, back corners work best, as they can watch who is coming.
Kitchen sometimes can be a problem,, specially if close to the dishwasher - it can startle them.
As Hissy said, 2 cats, 3 litterboxes.
Clean at least once a day.
Make sure to clean all the spots with a good enzyme cleaner.
Good luck!
P.S: at 20 weeks, he can be neutered already....
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