strange poo/litterbox situation

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hannahj

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When I went to clean the boxes this morning, I found a strange thing--it looked like one of the cats used the bottom edge of the opening (its a covered box) to "wipe." I checked their little bums, and all was clean and fine, but it kind of worried me. Do cats ever have elimination problems like that--where they can't "finish"? They are both one-year old and I got them from an animal rescue. It also worried me (to a lesser degree) about sanitation issues--it is possible that one could be tracking poo around if he/she is unable to poo properly?

I also occasionally find dried bits of poo around the litterbox--they look like they've fallen off, but I dont understand from where or why--seems like it should all be taken care of in the box. They are very fastidious about always going in the box and are clean in all other ways.

Has anyone else had experience with this?
 
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beckiboo

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Originally Posted by HannahJ

When I went to clean the boxes this morning, I found a strange thing--it looked like one of the cats used the bottom edge of the opening (its a covered box) to "wipe." I checked their little bums, and all was clean and fine, but it kind of worried me. Do cats ever have elimination problems like that--where they can't "finish"? They are both one-year old and I got them from an animal rescue. It also worried me (to a lesser degree) about sanitation issues--it is possible that one could be tracking poo around if he/she is unable to poo properly?

I also occasionally find dried bits of poo around the litterbox--they look like they've fallen off, but I dont understand from where or why--seems like it should all be taken care of in the box. They are very fastidious about always going in the box and are clean in all other ways.

Has anyone else had experience with this?
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My two are generally quite neat, but occasionally we have crumbs outside the litterbox. I think it is where a little piece of poo stuck to a paw as they were burying. I also get a ppo on the edge of the box at times, sometimes inside, sometimes part of it outside the box. This is usually when someone has a little diarrhea, often from getting tablefood.

If you every watch how cats use a box, there is a lot of twisting and turning, and deciding where to go. Then the burying routine, that can take a while, too. Just like a kid occasionally missing the pottie, as long as it isn't a frequent thing just clean up the mess and don't worry about it!
 
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I call them the dreaded clingons. These sometimes happen with my long-haired cats. Stuff gets stuck in their hair and it gets wiped off after the fact. Best remedy is to clip their hair if this becomes a regular problem. Be concerned if the poop looks abnormal and get them to a vet.
 
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hannahj

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Clingons! How funny.
Thanks for the advice--there ARE alot of decisions to be made in the litterbox that require turning and twisting, I suppose.
Just sets my mind at ease to know this is a normal thing.

Thanks!
 
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nano

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Your litterbox might be too small or you might need to be using more than one litterbox?

You could also try switching to an enclosed litterbox.

Good luck and hope your cats are okay!
 
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