Introduced a New Cat and Need Help!

[blucrysta99]

I recently introduced a new cat into my home. My first cat is nearing 7 years old and has no health issues. He has never had a another cat living in the house with him.

After the new cat joined us, initally there were a few spats, but that is not happening anymore. They get along wonderfully, snuggle and groom each other.

I do have one problem though. My first cat has started defecate on the floor. He's doing it several feet in front of his litter box so I believe its to mark his territory. I have currently have two litter boxes, one for each cat, on opposite ends of the room (i have been attempting to stop the behavior by moving the new cats box further away from my first cats).

I'm at a loss now. I don't know how to stop the problem. I am considering getting a 3rd litter box to see if that will resolve the issue. Are there any other sugguestions? Both cats are neutered and healthy...

[Traci]

How old is the second cat and how long have you had him?

Have you taken him to your vet to rule out health problems?

What are you feeding the cats, and have there been any diarrhea or constipation issues?

Have you considered changing the litter type?

Yes, add another litterbox, but make sure ALL boxes are easily accessible, away from foot traffic, away from noise, appliances, etc. Is there something about the area the box is in that is displeasing to him?

Is there anything else in the environment causing him undue stress? Are you harshly reprimanding him? Have there been any recent changes in the environment?

[blucrysta99]

I've had my second cat, Jax, a little over 2 months. I have had my first cat, Apollo, his entire life.

I got the Jax from a vet, he is just over 6 years old very near Apollo's age (about to turn 7). Jax was brought into the vet be euthanized by and elderly woman's son. The woman had passed away and he couldn't take care him due to allergy issues. A friend of mine works at the vet and called me to see if I would be willing to take him. Before I took him home we got all his medical records, from his previous vet, and his new vet ran him through all the regular tests. Over all Jax is very healthy but does have some minor urinary tract issues for which he requires a prescription diet. I know that it is Apollo, not Jax, that is leaving behind the little "gifts" because I have caught Apollo in the act twice. Apollo has also recently had a check up and he is fine as well.

They are both eating the Hills Prescription Diet which the vet told me would be fine for both cats.

Apollo has always used Tidy Cats clumping litter I have never used anything else. I have found no urine anywhere and he is only leaving his #2's directly in front of his litter box, no wear else in the house. The litter boxes are in my basement which is the quietest most secluded place in my house and nothing is interferring access to them. There are no diarehha or constipation issues either. Up until we got Jax there have been no problems.

I cannot think of anything else that would affect his enviornment or cause him stress. Nothing has really changed except for getting the Jax, the second cat.

As far as reprimanding my cats, I have never laid a hand on either them and Apollo has not been "punished" for going to the bathroom on the floor. Both times I caught him going to the bathroom on the floor I clapped loudly. I take very good care of both of them and the worst punishment they will ever have is water bottle or a loud noise.

I bought a 3rd litter box a little while ago. But if that doesn't work I have no idea what to do.

[Traci]

I'm assuming he uses the box to urinate. Does he also bury in the box?

Place the new box next to the one he is defecating by. Keep all boxes scooped on a daily basis, washed and rinsed on a weekly basis.

Just to rule out, has Apollo ever had any prior injuries/accidents where his rear legs, patellars or hips were ever sprained or fractured? Did the vet check for arthritis? Is the box too high, and/or have you noticed him having a bit of trouble entering the litterbox or navigating stairs? Is Apollo long-haired by chance?

Generally, when cats start urinating/defecating outside the box it is usually due to a health issue (pain, discomfort), or due to stress (like changes in the environment, an event, withdrawal or seperation anxiety due to owner's schedule changes, etc). The fact that he does it just inches away from the litterbox indicates something about the area, the box itself, or navigating to the box might be something you'll have to observe and investigate. Another potential reason could be because he is associating the box with an unpleasant experience (a diarrhea or constipation episode - have you actually examined his stool to ensure it is not dry/hard?) etc.

Have you recently placed any new items in the area? Any new scents or products containing scents the cat is noticing?

Since the cats seem to get along well, and are bonding, chances are this is not an introductory issue, more like something in the immediate area where the box(s) are. Can you determine what happens in or around the area, as well as his overall attitude before he defecates outside the box? Does he do this at night when you're sleeping or when you're at work, or?

[blucrysta99]

Yes he does use the box to urinate and he does bury or cover it up. I have noticed that when he comes out he sometimes try to "bury" on the rug as if he was still in the litter. I have a rug under to box to catch any litter that is on his paws and I have noticed that since this started he's been "burying" in the rug because its in a rumpled pile infront of the pox every day which I have to straighten out.

I will put the new box right next his problem box. The one I bought today is not as deep as his current one although I don't think arthritis is a problem. He runs around, plays, jumps on my bed and couches with no problems what so ever. I don't believe the vet checked him for arthritis. I do scoop the boxes every day but I don't wash and rinse them weekly. I will start doing that.

He has never had any injuries and has only had to go to the vet for regular checkups and visits. And yes both Apollo and Jax are long hair. Does that have something to do with it?

Since he's being going on the floor and not in the box I have seen the consistancy and it appears to be normal. This started about two weeks ago or so and I don't remember there being any diarrhea or hard/dry stool prior to this. But that doesn't mean that it wasn't there because I don't generally examine his stool.

There are no new items in the room. It is an empty room in my basement and there isn't much in it besides a few boxes. There are only a couple and they are on the other side of the room which is a fairly good size.

His bathroom has always been pretty regular. He does it during the day while I am at work. The times that I have caught him have been during early to mid afternoon on my days off.

If it was an issue such a diarrhea or constipation how would I correct it? Is it something that he will just eventually get over?

[Traci]

Have you always had a rug under the boxes? If not, and you only recently put it there, remove it. Rugs, carpet remnants, etc are generally only inviting the cat to mark it in some way.

Re: long hair. Sometimes, long-haired cats get feces stuck in their fur, which sometimes causes the cat to defecate right outside the box, since the feces also collects litter in the box, cats don't like having to self-groom all of this off. It could also be that the feces is actually "falling off" post litterbox duty, and the motion of getting out of the box allows the feces to drop. You might try keeping the litter at a less deep level in the box. If there is a cover on the box, remove it, most cats don't like covers since it restricts their movement.

Do the cats have regularly scheduled mealtimes or are they free-fed? If scheduled, most cats have to use the litterbox shortly after a meal, so monitor and if necessary, when the cat goes to the litterbox, watch and actually place him in the litterbox if you see him wanting to go in front of it. Then reward him when the duty is done.

Diarrhea or constipation are usually caused by inappropriate diet (or in other cases, worms, parasites, IBD, malabsorption, medications, etc). The Hills Rx diet shouldn't be causing this problem if it's the dry form. However, some cats may have a problem regardless of the brand/type in which you'd want to talk to your vet and opt for an equivalent veterinary diet.

[blucrysta99]

Thanks for all the tips Traci!

The rug has always been there but I'm going to try removing the litter box lid in addition to adding his new litter box.

[Traci]

Let us know how it progresses, ok?

[blucrysta99]

Will do! The 3rd litter box is set up and I washed and rinsed the old ones. Thanks again for the advice

[blucrysta99]

Well it has appeared to work. I washed the litter boxes and put the third one down there as well. The new box does not have a cover top. I also bought some natures miracle and wiped down the entire rooms floor with it. It's been two solid days without an accident. Thanks!