Kitty see, kitty do? Pooping on the floor!

I have two 9 month ragdoll kittens. Ever since I got him from the breeder last June, my Rodolfo has pooped right outside of the litterbox. I am STILL trying to figure out why, but it may (or not) have to do with his often slight constipation. He'll pee, then jump out of the litterbox, sniff around on the smooth hardwood floors around the box for a good spot, then "dig" for 10 seconds or so and then squat to poop. If I put him in a box, he'll jump out until he gives up and then poops in the box (not his first choice).

But I digress...twice now his sister who is usually very box trained has tried to poop outside the box. She has done the same procedure - pee in the box, jump out of the box, sniff, dig and squat. Today was the second time.

Needless to say, I was gobsmacked because she is usually SO good at least with the litter boxes! 

My question to you is that could this be becoming a learned behavior? Have you witnessed such things in your kitties? Or is it possible that the area was not cleaned as thoroughly as it should have been and so she could still smell poop remnants which triggered an innate response?

i really hope it is the latter because having two cats that poop outside the boxes will do my head in.

Thanks!

Try moving the litter box to where he goes the most. He might like that spot for some reason. Then, over time, slowly move the box to where you want it to be. You can't really control the constipation.

Thanks. I have tried that but they he goes next to the new box placement instead. I even put down foil though he just found the border and went right outside (or even ripped it up). But I can try it again. One never knows.

Are you doing anything for the constipation?  

Rule of thumb is one litter box per cat plus one.  You could see if that helps.

And you need to use an enzyme cleaner.  Otherwise it continues to smell like a bathroom.

Very often cats won't wee where they poo or vice versa.... a long time ago I had a cat that weed in the shower bay constantly.. then I got another box and all was well.  They can also be incredibly sensitive to how clean a box is.

This article may have something to help you too:   [article="32366"]How To Solve Litterbox Problems In Cats The Ultimate Guide​[/article]  

When he is constipated, I give him psyillium and also have 3 litter boxes (for 2 cats) and use an enzyme cleaner. I have done everything the websites say for months, but nothing has changed.

It could indeed be the constipation causing this. It might have been painful and your little man is blaiming the litterbox for his pain. Due to that, he might refuse using it.

Are all your litterboxes open or closed? If so, i suggest adding a closed litterbox if all yours are open, or an open litterbox if all yours are closed. It might seem different than the place that reminds him of pain (so add a complete new one on a complete different spot - new filling might make a difference too as there will be no reminder for him at all) and it might solve the problem.

Also clean the place he pooped at on the floor well, sounds like it's turning to a new selfmade litterbox as the other is now pooping outside as well.

If this doesnt solve it, it might be medical. Cats dont poop outside their box for no reason. Specially the second one doesnt seem to have a reason to do this.

I did try a closed litterbox with the door off at the suggestion of the breeder early on, and he tended to avoid it (he is a bit of a scaredy cat). But I can try it again. I took him to see a cat behavioral person who thought it might be the constipation too, but I am not sure how qualified she is. If he is struggling to poop, he might not like the way the litter feels under his feet. I have tried 4 different litter types though I can try a few more.

He gets along really well with his sister though they do fight occasionally (who doesn't!). It does not look at all like a bullying situation as they play and call out to each other during the day. 

I think it is worth going to the vet to see. He might have something called megacolon, but he is only 9.5 months old. He also pees so much more than his sister so maybe he has an unusually large bladder which is affecting his colon. It is probably good to find out to be sure.