Litterbox problem for older cats

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Annaid - 27 Sep 2006 23:17 GMT

I just read the post about "Litterbox Problem" with the kitten. Our problem
is a little different. We have two cats. They are both a year old, one is
three months older than the other one. They have been using the litterbox
just fine until about 5 to 6 months ago. The litter box is cleaned out
morning and night every day. The litter box is kept in the basement, with
complete access to it. One of them, we do not know which one has started
pooping just outside the litterbox. Usually right next to it, but
occasionally a few feet away. It has started becoming a problem more
frequently over the past month. Today we found poop up stairs in our living
room.

I cannot figure out which one is doing this or make a pattern as to why.
They urinate and defecate in the box, what would make them occasionally go
outside? We think we are keeping the box clean, and completely change the
litter frequently.

If anyone has suggestions for curbing this behavior, I appreciate the
advice.

D~

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cindys - 27 Sep 2006 23:54 GMT

> I just read the post about "Litterbox Problem" with the kitten. Our problem
> is a little different. We have two cats. They are both a year old, one is
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> If anyone has suggestions for curbing this behavior, I appreciate the
> advice.

-----------
1. One possibility is that one of the cats has decided he/she doesn't like
the litter you're using. Just because he/she used to like it doesn't mean
he/she still does. Cats are fickle this way. Once upon a time, I used to use
the crystal cat litter (which works great but is expensive). In the
beginning, all the cats used it without a problem. Then, after a few months,
one of the cats started using the living room carpeting for a litter box. I
switched back to the regular scoopable cat litter in one of my litter boxes
and not only did the culprit cat return to using the litter box, but ALL of
my cats made it clear they preferred the box with the regular litter to the
crystal stuff. So, I switched all of my boxes back to the regular scoopable
litter.

2. Another thing you can do is try adding a second box in a different
location and see if it makes a difference.
Best regards,
---Cindy S.

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Annaid - 28 Sep 2006 11:32 GMT

Thank you. I had considered a second box...think I will get one today.

D~

>> I just read the post about "Litterbox Problem" with the kitten. Our
> problem
[quoted text clipped - 46 lines]
> Best regards,
> ---Cindy S.

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tension_on_the_wire - 29 Sep 2006 06:42 GMT

> Thank you. I had considered a second box...think I will get one today.

Consider non-scented litter. I have never had a cat
that would pee into scented litter. They all universally
rejected it. I guess they have sensitive little
nosies after all.

--tension

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cindys - 29 Sep 2006 14:56 GMT

> > Thank you. I had considered a second box...think I will get one today.
>
> Consider non-scented litter. I have never had a cat
> that would pee into scented litter. They all universally
> rejected it. I guess they have sensitive little
> nosies after all.

--------
I agree that cats are very sensitive with regard to what type of litter they
like (see my experience with the litter crystals), but they don't all like
the same thing, and they also sometimes inexplicably change their minds
about what they like. Kitty may have thought Brand X was fine last week, but
now she changed her mind, so you need to try Brand Y.
Best regards,
---Cindy S.

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