Pooping outside of LB

[Rockpea]

Hi all. It's been awhile since I've been on here but I thought I would pose a question since everyone was so helpful. Rocky has been pooping outside of the litter box and he's been doing it for a while. I mean months. I think it's just a habit now. Anyway, I chalked it up to my new reality and would just scoop it up and clean carpet. Well, yesterday it's now loose like diarrhea and that is making clean up worse. I haven't changed his brand food. I might have given him one can of something different the day before, but I can't remember. We changed his LB last month, with new litter (cat attract). I even bought that spray to clean up afterwards. Nothing is working. I thinking about buying a cat enclosure and seeing if he can re-train that way. Any suggestions?

 

[RobinCot]

Oh my... Rocky is a cutie-pie!!

So what litter were you using before? Have you always used that litter up until the Cat Attract?

I had the same problem but it was when I took the Cat Attract litter away that mine refused to use it. I ran right out and hoisted that heavy bag right up the stairs. I wonder if his old litter changed in some way to make him reject it. New smell, different particles. I assume he is an only cat so no others using the LB, right?

Sorry, I'm not much help... Hopefully others will have some ideas or advice. Hang in there - get som Fission for the rug - it removes the odor and the stain (it's better than anything I have ever used).

 

[Rockpea]

Thank you. We used the Tidy Cats and yes, he's the only cat.

Anyone know the best way to clean diarrhea cat poop up? And how can I treat this? Just went and looked and there's more stains on the floor.

 

[BJM]

Here is a list I compiled previously. Some of the items may not apply (like gender!)

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You might try an integrated approach using multiple options from the list below on a consistent basis:

* start with crating, using a medium large crate (30" long is big enough for cat and a litterbox) until progress. She probably won't go where she'd have to lie in it ... but if she does, something is wrong and it may be medical.

* tarps and newspapers may be easier on clean up if you don't crate her

* feeding on a schedule and then placing her in the litterbox (maybe in a crate) within 15-20 minutes after eating, until she goes, then praising and letting her out.

* Feliway/Comfort Zone - friendly facial pheromones which reduce stress and may reduce marking behavior. Cheapest prices are usually on the net (ex http://www.LambertVetSupply.com ) I've used it and it helps.

* Cat Attract litter - supposed to help attract cat to litter box

* rule out arthritis or constipation - pain causes box avoidance

* watch if the other cats ever attack her in the box and if so, you may need to keep her separated from them. I've got one the others attack, completely unprovoked.

* littebox should be 1.5 times length of cat, litter cleaned frequently, but avoid really strong smelling cleaners as cats may avoid them due to the scent.

* you've got to get residual odors out from areas which were 'nailed' - Nature's Miracle is one option and has good reviews. It _can_ require repeated applications.

* regular play sessions of about 15 minutes to reduce stress and promote bond with you

* reward desirable behaviors - if you see her use the box, praise and treat her

* put unpleasant textures in places she has peed to encourage avoidance

* read some of this author's books: http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/ she's pretty good - ex "Starting from Scratch"

Good luck.

 

[BJM]

Tha...Anyone know the best way to clean diarrhea cat poop up?

Carpet steamer with plain water first. This will remove much of the obvious debris.
Blot dry by taking a folded up towel, placing it over the spot, and putting some weight on it (a cement block, you, etc.).
Remove towel.
Now, use products like enzyme-based Nature's Miracle which will break down the odor-causing materials.

Another trick is to take some cornstarch, add enough water to make a thick goo, and pour it on top of the stain. It will wick up some of the stain and odor as it dries. Once dry, break up and vacuum.

 

[KPassa]

Does he go in the litter box at all or does he go over to the litter box area and start scratching around outside it? He might have an aversion to the litter box specifically. Try buying a different litter box, maybe one with lower sides or a storage container with a door cut out. Also see about moving the litter box to a different location or adding in another litter box somewhere else and see if that helps.

Make sure you use an enzyme cleaner because this will also help remove the smells. Because he's been going outside his litter box often enough, he might just think that whole area is his litter box now. The enzyme cleaner should help remove the smells so he doesn't have that association any longer.

 

[Rockpea]

When I got the new litter I also got a new box. He goes in it to pee. He poops at night after we've gone to bed, so I don't know what he does. So we wake up to a nice surprise. I do use the enzyme cleaner. I think he's just a stubborn old or middle aged cat. He's always been a little meanie.

 

[KPassa]

Try adding in a second litter box somewhere else and see if he'll go poop in that one.

 

[Deb & Wink]

My cat Libby would poop on the carpet and have diarrhea due to her IBD. Once I switched her to a different food, no rice, she was ok and started using the litter box again to poop. Also used behavior modification techniques and confining her to a smaller space also helped.

At one point, she had 3 litter boxes in her small hallway bathroom and she would use them all.

 

[RobinCot]

Look up Fission at Amazon.com. It is better than enzyme cleaners - I have tried everything including Natures Miracle at least ten times since June and one application of Fission took the odor and stain away.