Hi,
Am new to the forums but a long-time cat owner and cat lover!
I currently have 5 cats (yes 5!) but have a lovely home in acres of land so cat heaven - as the numerous 'presents' bear testament to! I moved there in April and my 3 adult cats settled quickly. They were out within a week of being there and have never looked back since.
At the end of July this year as an anniversary present to my partner, who had completed a year clear of breast cancer, I got her 2 kittens (10wks - brother and sister, rescued, as all of my others were from the RSPCA) - one of which was a male DSH the other a female long haired. Both were neutered, probably slightly early due to his size and the fact he was trying it on with his sister.
After the usual spats and disharmony, all 5 now get on. The adults have accepted the kittens in the home and get on with their day to day lives of sleeping, eating and wandering around their acreage. The kittens too have fallen into the same pattern and generally life is lovely.
However, I have over the past couple of weeks noticed that the little boy, Jack, seems to be pooping outside of his litter tray. At first I thought this was accidental, but now it seems to be deliberate.
When they were neutered the girl, Lexi, had to be kept inside for 10 days and as they are close, we kept Jack in too to keep her company. Logistically this was difficult with the adult cats, but we managed it. During this time, the kittens were confined to the lounge and dining room, and I noticed that on occasion Jack started pooping in the corner of the room even though the litter tray was cleaned regulalry. I got a second tray to try and help and this alleviated the problem a little bit.
After they returned to the main house the problem seemed to disappear, but on the odd occasion when the dining room door is open I have noticed the odd 'indiscretion', so tend to leave the doors closed - not too much of a problem as it is now winter.
However, almost nightly now - and it is ONLY at night it would seem - despite 2 clean litter trays, and despite one of which being in the indoor porch, and one being in the utlity room where all the cats are fed at night, and have biscuits down during the day, he is DELIBERATELY pooping less than a foot away from the clean litter tray, or sometimes in the sink in the utility room. Now whilst I can't be certain, as it only happens at night when we are asleep, that it is Jack, I am pretty certain.
The 3 adult cats don't use the litter trays and haven't since they have been outdoors. Also, Lexi (his sister) only occasionally uses the litter tray herslef occasionally - preferring instead to go outside. The house is empty during the day, and yet the litter trays don't seem to be used much at all during the day - only really at night.
Any suggestions, as I really dont want to have to get rid of him!
Thanks
