big surprise in the kitten litter box

I went to clean the kittens' litter tray out this morning (they are nearly 6 weeks old and just started to go poopies on their own in the tray). Anyway, I was surprised to find 2 very big poopies which could certainly not be produced by a kitten!

By process of elimination (excuse the pun!), we worked out that our eldest cat Gizmo had snuck into the room where the kittens live and used the little litter tray (probably with much difficulty as he does have a big rear!).

He did the same thing this evening and as well as use his own tray as well.

I think it could be a territorial/jealousy issue and we are making sure to give Gizmo 'extra' affection and attention so he isn't jealous.

I don't want the kittens playing with adult cat poopie (or in fact any poopie!). I can't close the door to the room as the kittens' mums like to come and go to feed them.

How can I stop this? Any advice? The more I tell Gizmo 'no' or try to lead him away when he comes near the kittens litter tray, the more of a game it becomes for him to sneak in the room when we are not in it.

I'd like to know too. I've been slowly allowing 8 week old Steuben out with my adult pair (Fergus, male, Ripley, female), and today, Fergi took quite the Cleveland Steamer in Steuben's litter box in the bathroom. I'm almost certain it's a territorial thing too...but I really don't wish for it to become an issue.

Are you sure it wasn't a kitty poopy? When I first brought Rocky home he did a poop so big (like 1/2 his length). I couldn't beleive it came out of him however I witnessed it!

Originally Posted by zak&rocky

Are you sure it wasn't a kitty poopy? When I first brought Rocky home he did a poop so big (like 1/2 his length). I couldn't beleive it came out of him however I witnessed it!

Click to expand...

Im sorry, but for some reason this made me ROTFLMAO. Reminds me of the times I've said something like, "You little thing, I can't believe that came outta you!" LOLOLOLOLOL

Actually it is both a territorial and a dominance thing. The older, dominant cats are letting it be known, and they are letting the kittens know who is the boss of the house and who's scent is dominant.

As they say, you can't mess with mother nature. It can't hurt the kittens as long as you're cleaning the litterbox regularly, even if they do play with it.

Come on, they lick each others' butts, Mom licked them to make them go to the bathroom and ate it, they go to the bathroom and lick themselves clean, they'll eat their own vomit if you don't catch it in time, and do many other things that would make us cringe. Saving them from playing with a turd for a few minutes is not going to sterilize their existence.

But they are cats, and for them, it's normal. Maybe not the equivalent of Godiva chocolate, but normal At least for cats. And expected.

If it becomes an issue, it is we that make it an issue for ourselves. For them, it is not an issue as we see it. It is an issue of territory and dominance, and in fact, not allowing them to set their own heirarchy could eventually cause more amd worse problems (including litterbox problems) than this.

At least they're doing it in the litterbox. They could have chosen to do it on the floor near the kitens, or the wall, or your bed to make sure they kittens know they are the dominant cats in your bed too. So in a way, you should count your blessings. LOL

Bottom line, kittens will play with poopie. And licks butts. And do lots of other things you wouldn't. But I think you should let them work out the territory thing and just keep the litterbox as clean as you can. But don't let it bother you, because if you do try to interfere, they'll find a way.

That's why I don't think Gizmo is making it into a game. I think he is determined to make sure they know who he is and his role in that house, and he will not be detered.

Dealing with poopie and litter is one of the things we need to accept when choosing to have the joy of kitties in our homes.

Just another thought,

Cats use their body excretions as a communications tool. It's sort of their way of sending the very best. It's what they've been doing since they appeared on Earth.

So they don't see it as doing anything wrong, which is why I don't think you'd have much success in trying to stop them.

My feeling is if you try to stop it, you end up making them confused, and that's why I think it can cause other problems.

My belief is that the more you allow them to just be cats, the happier they are being our cats.

You could try adding a high sided storage box filled with a nice, good quality cat litter (like catsan clumping, its got a nice, sandy texture) in the hope that he will use that instead.

The large storage box will be more comfortable for him to use and the he can still leave his mark, but the kittens wont be able to climb in.