Feces and Carpet

Hi hi,
I did some searching the forum on this problem and didn't find anything, so here goes:
We got Dolly about 2 months ago now. She's had some bowel problems, but that's been sorted out via changing the food. Shortly after we first got her she started to deficate under our computer desk in the corner. It was in the same place where one of our other cats had done it, so I figured that some of the smell was still sensitive to cats noses and she was marking some territory. After the second time we started to shut the door and the problems stopped.
She doesn't "go" every day, but goes in large amounts every other day. Today I could smell poo but couldn't find the source. Dad found it. It was behind his fish tank in his room, in the corner. We're not sure what made her do it there. Usually she goes in the litterpan (and doesn't cover it if that makes any difference) but first the computer room and now dads room? Is there something we can do other than REALLY clean it?
Thanks a bunch,
Jess

What is the cat/litterbox ratio in your home?

we have 3 cats and 3 litterboxes. The big one is often used by all three, the one downstairs is used by 2 of them often and the one in my room is used infrequently (although offers the most privacy and quietness).

So now Dolly is using two places as regularly as we accidently leave the doors open. They're both where my sisters cat, shadow had gone previously.
We're getting new carpetting put in tomorrow in the computer room. Do you think that it'll help? she did it again in here last night. How should we guard against future accidents after the new rug is put in?
Upstairs in my dad's room is a different situation. We're not replacing the flooring in there for a long time.

We've tried so many different cleaners. We have:
No Stink
Pet carpet cleaner
an enzyme remover who's name I can't remember...with a citrus sent and oxegen action.
I just picked up a bottle of natures miricle yesterday
and I also got a bottle of cat repellent.
We also have shout in the house
And I've tried spraying the areas with fabreeze

Dad was thinking about making the particular corner that she likes in his room unavailable by stacking fish supplies back there.
Any other ideas?

Are you able to put a litterbox on the spot where she is going?? Sometimes it is inconvient to do so but it works alot of the times. Also, I know some people have had success with cleaning the area and then putting a food/water bowl there because most cats don't like to eat and go to the bathroom in the same area. Have you taken her to the vet to rule out that this might be health related?

Originally Posted by ryobious

Are you able to put a litterbox on the spot where she is going?? Sometimes it is inconvient to do so but it works alot of the times. Also, I know some people have had success with cleaning the area and then putting a food/water bowl there because most cats don't like to eat and go to the bathroom in the same area. Have you taken her to the vet to rule out that this might be health related?

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Unfortunately it's not possible to put a litter pan where she's going, not even the smallest ones I've seen would fit in these corners. Same thing with the food, they are aquward places.
Yup, health is fine. She had been having some bowel problems after her spay, but with the vets help and lots of fecal samples it ended up being a bad responce to Science diet. A change of food has made things more stable. Frankly, I told mom not to buy the Science diet, but parents are going to do what they want.

We have both open and covered litterpans in various quiet places of the home. She does use them occasionally for poos, but doesn't cover her remains. Do you think that changing from a corn based litter to a clay might do the trick?

Was the litter changed recently?? Any household changes?? Can you block or stick something in that corner to keep her away? When you had her spayed recently was she also declawed??

Originally Posted by ryobious

Was the litter changed recently?? Any household changes?? Can you block or stick something in that corner to keep her away? When you had her spayed recently was she also declawed??

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Well, we've only had her for 2 months now. When she was moved to our house she went from using a clay clumping litter to the corn clumping (sort of like worlds best litter only different brand). It seems if we keep her away from the corners that she finds a new one to go in...but it helps temporarily. Nope, she's not declawed (and likes going after the rugs, we're currently looking for a scratching post she'll actually use).
She has been through a whole lot since we got her. Moving, being introduced to the other cats, being spayed, etc. Thing is that she seems to be doing it more frequently as she gets settled in, not less. Fortunately the spaying handled the spraying, but now we have this to contend with.

Please click here to read a thread on stopping this problem.

Good luck!

If your cat has been sick in the past and having problems, how do you know this isn't the cause of this new behavior? Sometimes things that seem behavioral are actually signs of serious illness. There is a great website that talks about this called www.catwellness.org. You should check it out. Good luck!

We got the new carpet!!! As the guy was tearing up the old underpadding, I went around and sprayed the concrete with natures miricle. All you can smell in here now is new carpet, which is such a relief from the old stink that was in here. After I did this room I went up and soaked dads corner with the Natures Miricle as well. So far, so good. She even used the litterpan last night. Keeping my fingers crossed!