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Accidents in the house


Sent to Pet Experts August 03, 2006 8:47 p.m.

I have two domestic housecats, one male and one female, who are litter mates and just turned 2 years old. They are strictly indoor cats, box trained and neither of the two have had any accidents in the house. I am having a problem with the female pooping on the carpet instead of using the box. She urintates in the box but will walk right by it and squat on the carpet when she has to poop. I keep 2 boxes in the house, one upstairs and one downstairs. They get cleaned every day and I have not changed the brand of litter. I have been using the same brand since day one. This has just recently started maybe a week ago and has been happening on a daily basis. She is doing this in the early morning hours, somewhere between 3-5am, but recently started messes in the afternoon. I thought maybe this was happening because we don't cuddle with her as much as we do with the male, he is far more affectionate that she is, but she is never left out of the affection. I made an effort to cuddle her a little more than usual which seemed to work because for the last two days she has had no accidents. Then this afternoon I actually caught her pooping on the carpet right next to the littler box. I am at a loss- I don't know what to do and I do not want to get rid of her. However I am about 4 weeks from having a baby and I can't have her pooping on the carpet. I am afraid it will get worse and that she will start peeing on the carpet. Why would she start this behavior out of the blue and what can I do to help her stop?

Optional Information:
Age: 2; Female; Breed: domestic housecat

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status: Closed   Value: $8   
Info Request
August 03, 2006 9:18 p.m. (30 minutes and 54 seconds later)

I'm so proud of you for being responsible enough to keep these guys indoors Images available only to Customers.

When a cat starts doing something like this after no apparent causation (no one is new in the house, the litter is the usual, you haven't moved the box, etc) - the first thing we do is get a vet visit to evaluate for urinary/renal and intestinal infections or complications/disease. This is really a necessary step.

Once this is ruled out, you can start trying to address a behavior problem. Sometimes it's as simple as the cat decides it likes the feel of carpet as 'litter' ! Well, that's simple for the cat anyway. Not so simple for you to modify (it'll take a while, depending on how determined you are and how cooperative the cat is).

For now, tarping the area (plastic tarp or clean, old shower curtains) will likely discourage it while you get her into a vet for evaluation.

Check back with me with the results ok - and we'll take it from there. I've also got some good solutions for cleaning (without expensive products that may or may not work Images available only to Customers.



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You remain responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.


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