cat and kids

We adopted a female cat about 3 years ago, they said she was about 5. I had a toddler and they seemed to get along great. Last summer, I had a baby girl. The cat seemed to adjust fine. She would occasionally pee or poop right in my way(at my feet, on the changing table) if they're was a problem with her litter box or if she wasn't getting enough attention. Let me say right now, when she's mad at me, she lets MEZ KNOW, she poops right on my pillow. But for the last 2 months, whenever my 4 year old son goes to his father's, the cat poops right at the foot of his bed. We've tried giving her treats when he leaves, extra love, nothing helps. As SOON as the love stops, she goes right into the room and poops. Last week I found some hiding in a corner and just barely made it to my daughter before she picked it up. We thought about getting her a friend, but she has always growled at any animal that comes to close to her. She's very friendly and very affectionate, but I can't keep an animal that purposely poops near my children. Please help with suggestions, this is my last hope before having to bring her back to the rescue we got her from. We love her and she's great, but it's just not clean or safe having an exploring baby

First question that is going to be asked so I'll do it now. Has she seen a vet?

Yes, we took her the first 2 times. The first time she went on my pillow they tried to hide it, she did have some sort of infection. The second time, she peed on the changing pad right in front of me and the children, and she was fine, the vet suggested she may be jealous, since she made no effort to hide it. Since then, we've made a conscious effort to include her in family time. She's the most affectionate and social cat I've ever encountered, and great with the kids, but it seems like she's getting mad at my son, and wants to alert all of us

Have you tried using Feliway diffusers in the house? You would likely need 1 diffuser per room she spends time in, 2 if it is a larger room.

You might also consider using Composure Liquid Max (can be bought from Amazon and Chewy.com, among others.) This is something you can give her daily (mixed into some yummy wet food) in addition to using the Feliway.

I also suggest keeping your son's bedroom door closed when he is not at home.

As frustrating as I know this is, your cat obviously has a very close bond with your son and seems more in a mourning state that he is not around when he visits his dad.

I've never heard of Feliway, it's safe for inside? I will look into that thank you. Update since my original post, he can't home this morning, when he walked away from her to eat lunch, she went right into the room and did it again. I keep the door shut as often as I can, but the children share a room and with weather so hot, I need to keep the door open at night so the room gets the ac. It's almost like she waits for the opportunity to go in there. But it's weird, she sleeps under the crib (it's on the opposite side of the room) but had never pooped there, it's only on the other side, and on the toys

I just looked up Feliway, out says for spraying. She does not spray, she only poops outside of the litter box, and only when we are awake. The box is only slightly less used now, but still cleaned daily

Feliway is not just for spraying behavior. It works to help calm a cat during times of stress.

I use Feliway in my home to cut down on cat-to-cat stress. My situation is a little atypical in that it took 3 consecutive months before I could tell any difference. BUT, when our diffusers go empty...I know real quick!

Feliway and Composure Liquid Max are both something to consider in your situation.

Also, how are you cleaning the areas where she had pooped/peed? Are you using an enzymatic cleaner like Nature's Miracle?

I've used Natures Miracle to clean, as well as scrubbed the entire carpet, and a long list of regular cleaners, (Lysol, I've gone as far as an ammonia water when I was able to air out the room for a few days). I will try the Feliway, thank you. Any ideas why she chooses one corner that is less than 3 feet from her favorite nap spot?

She's stressed, so she's marking her territory. It's her safe place.