Pooping outside the litter box

[tjrusert]

I have a cat that is 4 years old and has been littler trained since she was a little kitten.  She has never had an accident.  Recently,  she has started pooping right outside the litter box.  At first I thought that she just didnt think that the litter box  was clean enough, so I was more diligent about making sure everything was really clean.  But she did it again right after I cleaned the litter box.  She doesnt pee on the floor. Its a covered cat box and shes not doing just outside of the door so I know shes not just missing.  Nothing has really changed in her life and she seems very healthy.  Why is she doing this?  Is she trying to tell me something? And how can I correct it?  Would it help to try to teach her again just like I did when she was a kitten?  She is a very much loved and pamper little cat. Any suggestions?

[PikaPika88]

She did once again out side the tray on Sunday.  Monday, she poo inside the tray and cover it nicely.....  Don't understand what she means?

[tjrusert]

In my opinion, you should never hit a cat unless you are being physically attacked by the cat. And even then you shouldnt do anything but a small tap along with a hiss like their mother cat would do. Obviously, Im no cat expert or I wouldnt have posted this question.  I just dont think that they understand things like hitting and I just dont believe in it.   And if you hit them it may make them either afraid of you or aggressive. You dont want either of those things to happen as a loving pet parent.  Again these are personal opinions. Thanks.

[PikaPika88]

Hi Jade, I'm not kidding.  I smacked her few times but she thought I'm playing with her.  She is a very strong cat.  She plays with small to medium dogs.  Cats don't like to play with her, she's very tough.  

She is not doing all the time like that.  Now I let her out.  Come back when rain, strong wind and night time.  When she come in, the older cat will leave the house because he don't like to see her..........  

[Jade59]

Hi Pika, nice to see you.  I hope you're kidding.

[PikaPika88]

My Eiva also pooing outside the litter box (open).  I find out if I don't let her go out she'll do it that way.  If outside is raining, she'll poo inside the litter box and cover nicely.  She just been to the vet for vaccination.  The vet said she is "very" healthy cat.

Should I smack her?  Show her not to do it like that way, would she understand?

[Jade59]

Good to hear, tj.  It's always best to make sure both for kittys health and our peace of mind.  And oh, btw, my sisters parakeet is named "Carlos" - courtesy of her 14y.o. son.  Nothing wrong with that name - just maybe not for a little parakeet.  Funny, but we've all gotten used to the name and now it seems fitting, but, oh, my mom and I about died laughing at first.  

[tjrusert]

Foofy is healthy according to the Vet. She said that its possible that she got scared in the covered litter box by something and was afraid to get back in.  I dont know.  She seems ok now, thankfully.  She is a good girl and I know something was bothering her but she seems to be over it now.  Thanks again for the replies. I feel better now that she has a "clean bill of health".  

[tjrusert]

Oh the magic of making a Vet appointment.  Foofy is scheduled to see the Vet tomorrow.  But the weird thing is that she hasnt pooped outside the litter box in the last 2 days. I hope she is still pooping.  But I am taking her in just to be safe.   BTW my other cats have nice names like Kira and Lily and Chloe.  My daughter named poor Foofy. LOL  I love her very much.  I mean both of them (my daughter and the cat.)

[DonnaYav]

I agree with Opus..When a cat's routine habits change there could be a medical  reason.
A cat I once had suffered from constipation as she got older and I cleaned up many messes because I guess she associated the pain with the litter box.
Of course as Opus posted it could be something else, but if your cat gets a clean bill of health the only thing I can think of is trying a different litter box or having two litter boxes..My boys like three litter boxes(2 cats) one strictly for peeing and the other two for pooping!

[tjrusert]

Thank you for replying.  I will check with my Vet as soon as I can.  I never thought about her being in pain.  She is like my child.  Im sure many ppl on the forum feel that way about their cats. She jumped on my lap as I am writing this.  She likes to watch what Im doing on the computer.  Thanks again.

[opus88]

sorry, I need to make a correction in my previous post...a high PH is alkaline urine(not acidic)...low PH is acidic.they will each form a different type of crystal, sorry for the slip...good luck♥

[opus88]

hi and welcome. you are very right in your thinking that kitty is trying to tell you something...this is all very common, when a kitty is having pain either peeing or pooping they associate the pain with the litter box.....she is feeling the pain while doing one or the other. More often than not its due to a UTI or FLUTD with crystals in the urine...
this is very typical especially if you are feeding dry kibble for a diet, the bladder forms crystals because of the high PH (acidic level) formed from chronic dehydration. kibble doesn't contain hardly any moisture like wet food does and cats can't possibly drink enough to compensate.
Even if you are feeding wet food I would still suspect FLUTD as this can also happen even with wet food just not nearly as common, you need to take her to a Vet asap for a urinalysis.
If the problem isn't with her urine than I would be sure the Vet checked a stool sample..bring one in with you. the pain could be related to parasites, IBS or even impacted anal glands.
she is NOT doing this b/c of of lack of training.....or a dirty box its something physical so please be sure to make that Vet appointment. good luck and keep us posted ♥