cat defecating on basement floor
#1
12-03-04, 04:05 PM
cat defecating on basement floor
Our 12 year old male cat has recently begun to defecate on our basement floor corner. The litter boxes are cleaned either daily or every other day. He will urinate in the litter box with no problem. We have three other cats with a litter box for each one and up until recently have had no problem. We have placed a large container with paper in the spot that our male cat recently began to use but he just goes around it not in it! Please help!!! I would like a simple solution before I have to pay for a vet visit.
#2
12-05-04, 09:43 PM
Member
Pretend you are the cat. How often do you clean the box? Have you switched litter brands? Are the other cats using this box too? Is the box too small or too large? Is it located near the food? Is it one of those covered boxes that holds in odors and it's all dark inside.
Is there an underlying health issue? Sometimes cats associate some pain they are experiencing with the litter box. A vet should examine the cat to rule out health problems.
Cats don't like change. Is there anything going on at home that may have created stress in this cat's life. A new baby? A change in household routine? New furniture or carpet? The recent addition of new cats? Any tension between the cats? Too many cats? Anything that may make the cat feel like the litter box is not a secure place?
In multi-cat households this is a common problem. The less secure cat will tend to feel that the litter box is not a safe haven from a more dominant cat. Are the other cats much younger than the 12-year-old cat? Is one or are all more dominant?
Keep affected areas cleaned with enzyme digester cleaner. These are sold at pet stores and under various names at home centers, such as Out, Nature's Miracle, OdoBan, and others. Enzymes must be given time to digest the stains and odors. Pets tend to repeat crimes where they have marked territories. Once area is clean and dry, cover with plastic. Cats tend not to like plastic.
You should have one more litter box than you have cats. If you have three cats, then you should have four litter boxes. The litter box should be big enough for the cat to turn around in. Some cats prefer open litter boxes so they can see who is coming and going, especially if intimidated. Cats prefer litter boxes to be in an out of the way location such as a corner and away from anything that may distract them. In multi-cat households, litter boxes should be spaced far enough away that they don't interfere with another cat's territory. Cats can be very picky about litter. Any change can upset the routine. Not all cats in a household will like the same litter.
Check litter box daily & remove feces & moist litter. This will help keep odor down and keep cat from turning up its nose. Replace with fresh litter weekly. Before replacing litter, wash box with soap and water & rinse thoroughly. And use of harsh chemicals may result in the cat turning up its nose at the litter box.
Is there an underlying health issue? Sometimes cats associate some pain they are experiencing with the litter box. A vet should examine the cat to rule out health problems.
Cats don't like change. Is there anything going on at home that may have created stress in this cat's life. A new baby? A change in household routine? New furniture or carpet? The recent addition of new cats? Any tension between the cats? Too many cats? Anything that may make the cat feel like the litter box is not a secure place?
In multi-cat households this is a common problem. The less secure cat will tend to feel that the litter box is not a safe haven from a more dominant cat. Are the other cats much younger than the 12-year-old cat? Is one or are all more dominant?
Keep affected areas cleaned with enzyme digester cleaner. These are sold at pet stores and under various names at home centers, such as Out, Nature's Miracle, OdoBan, and others. Enzymes must be given time to digest the stains and odors. Pets tend to repeat crimes where they have marked territories. Once area is clean and dry, cover with plastic. Cats tend not to like plastic.
You should have one more litter box than you have cats. If you have three cats, then you should have four litter boxes. The litter box should be big enough for the cat to turn around in. Some cats prefer open litter boxes so they can see who is coming and going, especially if intimidated. Cats prefer litter boxes to be in an out of the way location such as a corner and away from anything that may distract them. In multi-cat households, litter boxes should be spaced far enough away that they don't interfere with another cat's territory. Cats can be very picky about litter. Any change can upset the routine. Not all cats in a household will like the same litter.
Check litter box daily & remove feces & moist litter. This will help keep odor down and keep cat from turning up its nose. Replace with fresh litter weekly. Before replacing litter, wash box with soap and water & rinse thoroughly. And use of harsh chemicals may result in the cat turning up its nose at the litter box.
