My 2-year-old cat, Reichen, started defecating outside the litterbox about 4 months ago. The vet cleared him and placed him on Prozac. At the time, he was choosing to go on the throw at the bottom of my bed (where he also sleeps).
Over the last couple of months, the Prozac has helped somewhat, but recently he has started going on the loveseat in the living room. He is still on the Prozac, and nothing else in our household has changed. It is still just me, him, and two other cats living in a three-bedroom, two-story townhouse. I do travel for work and am gone 3 days a week; however, I have been doing that since I got him at 3 months of age. My mom does check on them on the days I am gone as well.
I am beyond frustrated. In addition to the Prozac, I am using the Cat Attract litter, have shut him out of my bedroom while I'm gone (which solved the problem of him going on my bed), but due to the layout of my house, it is not possible to shut him out of the living room. Someone else suggested shutting him in a small room with nothing but food, water, and a litter box for several days. I should mention that he does use the litterbox for the most part. It has just been lately that once a day (generally in the morning), he defecates on the couch. Interestingly, he does this when I'm HOME and usually not when I'm gone.
Any suggestions? I am at the end of my rope.
Thanks,
Joee
Inappropriate defecation
Re: Inappropriate defecation
When you are home with them, are you giving him enough quality attention/time?...Does HE think you are?
As long as you are POSITIVE it is nothing physical, then you can try some behavior modification....
Have you tried covering the area(s) that he prefers to go...possibly with aluminum foil...some cats do not like the feel/sound of that....
I have been successful in keeping cats off the counters with carpet protectors....you can get them at WalMart...clear plastic rolls with little nubby things on one side....the cats do not like the feel, and they do not hurt them....you can cut it to fit the length of the loveseat, and see what he does?
If you can actually CATCH HIM IN THE ACT....you can use a water bottle and squirt it at him and say a firm NO, then take him to the litterbox...
You also want to be sure to clean the area thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to remove ALL residual odors....even if YOU cannot smell it...the cat might...I am not sure what would work for a fecal odor....I only use Urine Off for urine "accidents", but not sure if that would work on feces as well....
keep us posted.....
As long as you are POSITIVE it is nothing physical, then you can try some behavior modification....
Have you tried covering the area(s) that he prefers to go...possibly with aluminum foil...some cats do not like the feel/sound of that....
I have been successful in keeping cats off the counters with carpet protectors....you can get them at WalMart...clear plastic rolls with little nubby things on one side....the cats do not like the feel, and they do not hurt them....you can cut it to fit the length of the loveseat, and see what he does?
If you can actually CATCH HIM IN THE ACT....you can use a water bottle and squirt it at him and say a firm NO, then take him to the litterbox...
You also want to be sure to clean the area thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to remove ALL residual odors....even if YOU cannot smell it...the cat might...I am not sure what would work for a fecal odor....I only use Urine Off for urine "accidents", but not sure if that would work on feces as well....
keep us posted.....
Re: Inappropriate defecation
How much litter do you use BTW? I had a problem with a cat going next to the litter box sometimes and it was because I had too much litter in the litter box. I made it so it was about two inches deep and didn't have the problem anymore.
Sonique