Cat Pooping in Bed- Really Need Advice

[KRajan]

One of our female cats has pooped in our bed three times this week. This has been occuring a few times a month for over a year now.

We have two female indoor cats. Both healthy, well fed, loved dearly and given attention, they have two litter boxes that are maintained/easy to access and in quiet location. They have full access to all spaces in our home including our bed. Nothing has recently changed in their lives. Our son was born 3 years ago and they made a smooth transition. He is very gentle and loving with them and is never left alone with them- to assure us there is no harm done to the cats.

This pooping in our bed is a real problem that I can't figure out and need some help with. I've taking her to the vet several times after the pooping occurs and they tell me she is in good health.

1. What else can stress a cat enough to poop in a place they sleep?
2. If there is no health issue or major stress why would she poop in the bed she shares with us?
2. What can I do to prevent her from pooping in our bed? I have a plastic sheet around the mattress, another water proof layer and then the fitted sheet, etc. All get washed in hot water expect the plastic sheet which I wipe with bleach. I also have feliaway ( spelling?) and use that often. Doesn't seem to work.
3. Any other advice? My husband and I are in tears...

[Cindy]

Can you keep the door to your bedroom closed at all times?

[Traci]

How old is she?

When she was last seen by the vet, were any tests run? Bloodwork run? Urinalysis run?

What are you feeding her?

What makes you think nothing is stressing her? You paint a good picture of a harmonious environment, but that doesn't mean nothing is stressing her. You have to think like a cat and determine why she is eliminating on your bed.

First, because she is using your bed, this is a pretty good indication she is trying to get your attention to some matter that is stressful and displeasing to her. You say nothing has changed but perhaps something has? Anything as simple as moving furniture around can stress a cat. Any change in your routine can stress a cat. Guests in the home, or noise outside can stress cats. Changes in food, routine, sleeping habits, etc etc can stress cats. The possibilities are endless. So, try to think back when this started happening, and lead up from the months until now, what has been different, what has changed? Your OWN stress will stress your cats, they are very keen to our moods, behaviors, tone of voice, the way we move, etc.

Do you have the plastic as the last layer on the bed? If so, please do not use bleach on it, this should not be used anywhere near the cats. Use only soap and water (like dish detergent) to wipe the areas. Bleach is terrible on cats' sensitive mucous membranes and can cause redness and tears in cats' eyes and can make them nauseated, not to mention the inhalent risk.

If you don't have the plastic as the last layer on top of the bed, then try doing that. This will prevent your bedding and matresses from being soiled.

Check the litterboxes, it's possible she is developing a dislike for the litter type. Do you scoop it more than once a day? Do you thoroughly clean and rinse the box at least once a week? Is she intimidated by the other cat, or the baby, or something else in the environment when she attempts to use the litterbox?

Your son is at an age that is trying for you as parents. If he throws tantrums, cries, etc as young toddlers do, this could be a major stress factor for the cat(s). Please keep that in mind. Despite your perception your toddler is good with the cats, doesn't mean the cats think the same as you do, particularly when toddlers display several different behaviors in one day!

[KRajan]

Thank you Traci!
She is 7 years old. She pooped our bed last month and I took her to the vet to make sure she wasn't ill. All tests were run that you listed and she was in good health no problems.

I feed her Wellness canned cat food ( always have) and Hills Perscprition Feline dry ( for dental cleaning).

I'm assuming nothing is stressing her as nothing seems to have changed in her life. But, you are right, what I think hasn't changed can be a minor change that has a big impact on her. I just don' t know what it is.

Our nearly 3 year old has had sleeping problems and has been crying more as a result. This could be impacting her. But, it hasn't in the past when he was younger he cried more frequently as babies do.

Same kitty litter. But, maybe it's time to change our litter. Maybe she is tired of it?

Today I cam home from being out all morning with my son and found she had pooped on our couch! Now I'm wondering if it's a litter issue?

Thank you again for your helpful reply.

[mamabear]

Not sure it is a litter issue. You say you were out, how often are you going out with son? Since it is summer and he is 3 and needs that outside time maybe you are going out more often than she expects and that is what you are not realizing is the problem. Just a thought.

Are you keeping kitty away from three year ?

Is three year old grabbing kitty more now since he is up and about, maybe you dont see it when it happens?

Is son picking up kitty's food and water dishes that you know of?

Does son play with kitty at all, if he doesnt or you dont let him THAT could also be a change that the kitty doesnt like.

Although cats are very independant THEY NEED to have attention from all that they want attention. what i mean is if kitty didnt like you then it would be ok because kitty wouldnt pay no mind to you but when a cat does like someone they thrive on the attention and if your son is maybe too rough with kitty and you wont let him play but kitty wants to play but doesnt understand that 3 year old is too strong that might be the problem. Maybe let kitty play with child supervised. And teach son to be good, it sure does take a lot tho to do that.

I really dont know if this is the problem but those are things that come to mind when you said 3 yr old.

Also when son is getting up at night (dont worry it stops eventually and make sure you dont give him water an hour and half before bedtime so he doesnt wake up wanting to go potty), is kitty get up as well or is kitty in room with child therefore waking kitty?

[Traci]

I would try to change the litter, see if that helps. Don't use heavily scented litters or those that are too dusty (at least let dust settle before allowing kitty near box). Also, be careful what you use when you clean the litterbox as well as what you use to clean the floor under the litterbox. Plain soap and water (like dish detergent if possible) is best because it doesn't leave perfumed or overbearing scents that cats avoid the area.

Don't use "natural" products for litter, some are messy (pellet type, paper type, etc), some are hype and actually contain ingredients that are harmful to cats.

Keep us updated as this ensues, we can try to help further. For now, try thinking about what stressors in the environment could be causing this, remember to think like a cat!!

[Cindy]

does she do this only when you are not home? I have crates for my dogs and they go in there when we are not home. Maybe you can kennel your cat while you are away?

If this happens when you are home it won't work, of course.....

[mamabear]

I think crating a cat after it has established itself in hte home would stress it out far more. But I'm not sure.

Traci, thanx about the "natural" litter, i learn something new everyday!

[KRajan]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Yes, we use Swheat Scoop litter which is simply wheat and not scented. I bought a third litter box, mixed in Swheat Scoop and a new litter ( not scented, etc). I put it in a new location and kept the other two boxes in the same place.

I sprayed feliaway on our couches and bed after a deep cleaning. Yesterday was the first day she didn't use these areas are her litter box.

I also took away the Hills dry food and will only give that to her a few days a week. She is still eating Wellness wet food. I was wondering if Hills was giving her an upset stomach so she eliminated outside her box?

We'll see...

Thank you so much!

[Traci]

Why so quick to suspect the Hill's dry food? I'd suspect the Wellness first. I also wouldn't make drastic food changes (by additions or omittances) when this seems more like a behavioral/stress issue at this point. Keep her Hill's dry food out and available to her.