Cat problem: advice needed

[liontamer]

Over the past week my cat has started to do potty outside her litter box.

She always does it in the same place: outside the door of the spare bedroom.

I've tried putting foil down, but she goes in front of the foil now. I can't foil my whole hallway.

Is this a neurotic issue, or a sign of health problems?

Suggestions?

[Bertha Venation]

1. Could be a health problem. Get her checked out.

She could have a urinary tract infection or kidney trouble. How old is she? Does she drink plenty of water?

Failing that -- is there a new pet or baby in the house? House guest? What's in the spare bedroom?

[liontamer]

3. thanks

she's not peeing, she's doing #2 and it seems healthy enough otherwise. I may take her to vet anyway though.

There's a new cat in the house, but she's been around for months and this only happened in the past week. The spare bedroom is empty but a few months ago it had the new cats, kittens, and a litter box.

Is it possible she misses the litter box in that room, even though it is now about two feet from where she's using the bathroom?

[BuckeFushe]

8. Quite possible

I am happy my 2 kitties have learned to pee and poop in the toilet. I keep a litter box, but instead of changing twice a week, I change it about every 2 weeks now. I guess they are smarter than we give them credit for.

[spunky]

2. Well, that may depend on which she's doing

my cat started getting in my lap and urinating on my lap, so I took her to the vet, turned out she had a urinary tract infection, and she was trying to bring it to my attention (according to the vet) so if she's peeing outside her litter box it could be that.

If its poopy, I'd guess its most likely that she wants some sort of attention or has become unhappy with her litter box. Have you changed brands of litter or gotten a new litter box lately? Have your habits changed lately i.e., spending less time at home? She may just want more attention.

My cat sleeps in her litter box when she thinks I'm not giving her enough attention. She knows it pisses me off, so I keep going and getting her out. Once I started ignoring it, she stopped.

[liontamer]

4. it could be attention

but she's the cat that generally shies away from cuddling and often complains loudly when we do. :shrug: who knows. I'll try cuddling her more and see if things get better.

[lukasahero]

5. I'd still recommend a visit to the vet

Behavioral changes are often a sign that something is wrong. Best not to overlook it. Good luck.

[gypsy11]

6. My cat did that

Gizmo was her name. I had recently adopted a new cat from a rescue, as well as moved. I thought that the moving and the new cat was the problem. She would also get car sick so I didn't like to put her in the car if I didn't have to. I didn't take her to the vet when she started to poop out of the box. I should have.

Turned out that she had hyper thyroid, but I only found out when she started to vomit (this was a full 2 years after she started to poop outside of the litter box) and stopped drinking and eating. I took her to the vet then, and they ran tests. They told me she had hyper thyroid and some kind of cancer. I wound up having to put her to sleep. I was devastated as she had been with me for 14 years and I loved her dearly.

Never again will I not take one of my cats to the vet right away if they start pooping outside of the litter box.

[liontamer]

delete dupe

[liontamer]

7. Thanks

I'm calling for an apt right now.

[gypsy11]

9. Hopefully it will be nothing

But better to be safe than sorry.
Good luck!

[ProfessorGAC]

10. The Answer, Unfortunately, Is Yes

Sometimes cats just go through these mini-tantrum periods. But, other times, it's a cry for you to do something, because they feel sick.

My dog always has diarhea on the carpet of floor rug in the basement rec room. Never on the concrete floor by the washer or freezer, or something. I think it's a cry to us humans that they don't feel good and they want US to do something about it.

You should go to www.Petplace.com. They have all kinds of good information about behavior and pet wellness there. You can sign up for weekly newsletters and stuff, too.
The Professor

[radwriter0555]

11. Switch litter brands.

She hates the litter.

[liontamer]

12. I might as well try that too thanks. eom

[cedahlia]

13. Maybe add another litter box, too?

You said a new cat came into the house recently...do you have two litter boxes for each cat? I know that sounds excessive, but I have two cats, and after recently going through the innaproppriate elimination issues myself, I was ready to try anything. So I now have four litter boxes in the house, and everyone seems happy.

I did initially take both cats to the vet for check-ups, though, when this problem arose, just to rule out any health issues. So it's good that you've decided to take your kitty there, just in case it's a medical problem.

Good luck! :-)