litter box problems

krysis

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We have two cats who share a little box. They have shared this little box no problem for nearly a year (both cats are nearly a year old). Lately, the male has been leaving nasties on the floor in front of the litter box. I caught him doing it once and punished him for it that time. I don't want to punish him for it if I don't catch him "red handed" since he may not understand the punishment. I have no idea what could be causing this. We give both cats equal and LOTS of attention and play with them all the time. The litter box is always clean and they always have fresh food and water.

Help??
 

hissy

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I almost hate to ask you how you are punishing this cat? Please don't punish him he is not doing anything wrong. He is either sick, or he is tired of sharing a litter box. When they are small they can share a box just fine, but as they grow and instinct kicks in, some cats do not wish to share their potty time. They know that in this position they are vulnerable to attack and having their own box is what they need.

I would first off take this cat to the vet to get checked for a urinary tract infection or other problem. I would stop punishing him. I would introduce another litter pan, maybe even two and see if that helps. But please, do not punish your cat, your cat hasn't a clue why you are so ticked off and hurting/scaring him.
 
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krysis

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How do I correct his behaviour if I do not punish him? I only punish him by using a water spray bottle and only if I catch him in the act. When I caught him taking a dump on the floor, I sprayed him. He's got to relate getting sprayed with crapping on the floor then right? I do not punish him if I find something he's done. Who knows when he could have do it if I do not catch him doing it?

I have tried two litter boxes. They both shared both of them anyway. So there is no way to have one litter box each. So there is no real point to having two if they just share anyway.
 

hissy

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If you use the water bottle, you do not spray the cat, that causes problems in the long-run more than it helps the situation.

If your cat is pooping on the floor, he is trying to tell you or show you that something is wrong with him. Nine times out of ten it turns out to be a health issue. Please take him to the vet and have him checked out and see this thread for other solutions to your problems. But again, cats do not understand discipline, and his actions although they are clearly ticking you off- by your smilies you use and th tone of your post, are to get your attention and say "hey something is wrong with me here."

Problems post

Also this link might help you:Cats & Discipline

And in answer to your question, you do not "punish" you instruct and reprogram if it does turn out to be a behavior issue and not health related.
 

gayef

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Originally posted by Krysis
How do I correct his behaviour if I do not punish him?
You "correct" his behavior by first attempting to determine the root cause and then finding ways to make that cause be less uncomfortable for him. He is attempting to bring your attention to a situation that is causing him stress or discomfort of some sort. He cannot simply walk up to you and say, "Hey Mom? I have a little problem here, can I tell ya about it?" so instead he brings your attention to it in the only way he can. Punishing him for it is not the way to fix the problem.

Originally posted by Krysis
I only punish him by using a water spray bottle and only if I catch him in the act. When I caught him taking a dump on the floor, I sprayed him. He's got to relate getting sprayed with crapping on the floor then right? I do not punish him if I find something he's done. Who knows when he could have do it if I do not catch him doing it? I have tried two litter boxes. They both shared both of them anyway. So there is no way to have one litter box each. So there is no real point to having two if they just share anyway.
PLEASE Take Hissy's advice and STOP punishing him - even if you catch him in the act - and then take him to the vet to be thoroughly checked out for health problems. Wouldn't you feel just horrible if, afterall, he WAS experiencing some sort of health problem and you were punishing him for it? I know I would!! Once your vet has given him a clean bill of health, then try introducing another box, even if they DO end up sharing it again. Try a different litter or move the second box to a more secluded area, but please stop spraying him with water ... it just isn't the way to fix this.

Gaye Flagg
 

lotsocats

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Put yourself in your cat's shoes. Imagine that you are sitting and relieving yourself and the nice lady who feeds you comes up and squirts you while you are in this vulnerable position. All you know is that you are taking a poop and the food lady does something mean. You have no way of knowing why she blasted you with water - especially while doing such a private thing - all you know is that you are now upset. Now...go to the next day...you feel the neep to poop, but you are afraid to go because the lady might squirt you again. So you hold it until it hurts and you rush to the litter box, but don't make it in. In fact, the litter box is now a scary place because the lady squirts you when you are near it. So, before long, you will learn to avoid the scary litter box AND the scary lady by pooping behind the couch or somewhere else around the house.

The main idea is that because the cat doesn't speak English, it has no idea why he is being squirted. All he knows is that when he needs to poop you squirt him. He doesn't realize "oh! If I poop in the box, she'll leave me alone!" instead he thinks "oh no, I need to poop, I'm scared because the lady squirts me when I poop."

I hope you checked out the link to the thread which discusses Stopping Pooping Problems. It is full of great information.
 
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