Pooping>Behaviour Issue?

Well, three weeks ago, my cute little Seth-chan started pooping in our tub. We didn't know why, but we thought we would try to see if it was just a confusion issue or something (her litterbox is in the bathroom). After the second time, I filled the tub (about paw deep) with water and she learned not to jump in the tub. She didn't poop anywhere else in the house and went to her litterbox perfectly for 2 weeks. She had a bit of problems with dry food last week, and we started adding water and her poop returned to normal. She STILL went to the litterbox, no problem. We are still taking in a stool sample on Friday to be extra sure.

So, Saturday we decided to leave the tub drained to test her. Saturday night went fine and there was no poop in the tub the next morning. Last night, we went into the bedroom because I was not feeling well. I got up to go pee and she was in the tub doing her business. She looked at me like she had been "caught" and scampered out into the living room, peeking around the corner of the hallway. The thing that I find strange is that she always does this when we go into the bedroom and shut the door (and are still awake). I know a bunch of so-called professionals say that cats "don't do things out of spite," but she really gives me the impression that she's doing this because she's upset with us. Either that, or she really LOVES the texture of the tub... I'm clueless on what to do besides put a little bit of water in the tub. I really don't want to have to do it forever, especially if I'm going to be getting a small kitten in the near future. I was thinking of buying some spongy material and wetting it and putting it on the bottom of the tub and seeing what happens...

What does everyone else think?

Maybe get a ceramic litter box? It might even be more sanitary.

If she doesn't like it filled with litter, you could start by having little to no litter in it and then gradually increase the litter.

Just a thought, but I haven't actually done this.

Thanks for the tip. IF her poop comes back healthy, I'll look into it

Originally Posted by furbum

Maybe get a ceramic litter box? It might even be more sanitary.

If she doesn't like it filled with litter, you could start by having little to no litter in it and then gradually increase the litter.

Just a thought, but I haven't actually done this.

Click to expand...

Do regular pet stores carry the ceramic litterboxes? Or are they special order?

I don't know if anyone's made a "litterbox" made out of ceramic because it would be heavy. I think you would need to get a large dinner tray.

Here's an (expensive) example I found that looks like a bath tub:

http://shopping.microuse.com/product...l/c/B0006TJ74K

I would call about the height of this cuz you probably want 3" at least. Also, you might be able to find cheaper at a kitchen store.

Have you changed litter brands recently? Have you cleaned the box well lately? Maybe the littler box is in a high traffic area, or in an area that is more high traffic than your cat would like. Maybe your cat would prefer the box to be covered. I mean, after all, would you like to look at that stuff?? Are you scooping the box often enough?

I know that my Callie will NOT use the box if it's not sccoped twice a day. As a general rule of thumb, she'll not poop in the box if it's not clean. She'll go in there and pee, but she won't poop. Weird cat!

Stephanie

We've used the same litter since we've had her.

I scoop her litterbox 2-4 times a day (depending on her bowel movements). I wash it every 3 days or so, which is more than most people do.

I was thinking of buying a covered box, but they are so expensive!

We recently made a covered box (because we have dogs, too) out of a plastic storage container. We just put the top on the box and cut a cat-sized hole in the top of it, and taped the edges for reenforcement. Just make sure the box is tall enough for the kitty to be comfortable.
My cats love it, and it keeps litter from getting everywhere!
Good luck.
Robyn

Maybe you are washing the box/refilling with new litter too often?

Whenever I wash out the boxes and replace with clean litter my kitties get upset. They go to the boxes, sniff, then walk away and meow. Eventually they usually give in and go in the box but there are times when I have seen them attempt to go elsewhere and have to move them. Now I clean the boxes at different times so they always have one box that smells familiar at all times.

Also they have a definite preference for a box that is easy to get in and out of. I used to have a high-walled litter box and a low-walled one and they preferred the low-walled one. When I removed the top portion of the taller one they used both equally. I think they didn't like the walls because they feel vulnerable in the box and would like to be able to makae a quick escape (but maybe this is because I have 2 kitties). I think they might feel the same way about a covered box. Also, I read that cats don't like covered boxes as much because the smell gets trapped and more concentrated.

Well, that's what worked for me but it seems that cats have a variety of preferences for sure!

hmmmm i don't know at all!

I'm sure we'll eventually figure out something