What To Do?

[country woman]

I am house sitting for a friend and she has this large female cat and every morning when I wake up she has pooped on the carpet she has been doing this for a few months now I think she is around 7 years old. Please help.

 

[IvoryRain]

Is this something that the cat has been doing only while you've been watching it, or was it a problem for the owner also?

 

[bethdinsmore]

Know nothing about cats. However, I caged my puppies at night, until they were housebroken. Would it work for cats? (cage shouldn't be too large - only enuf to be able to stand up or turn around. Or maybe you could call an animal behaviorist or check a website.

Last resort - at night, put out a litter box in the area where she usually messes.

 

[Mechwar]

Cats are fickle.....anything can be making her do this.


It could be the type of litter, if there is another cat in the house, or if the cat is under stress from having her owner away for so long.

Try keeping the litter spotless, or change to a different brand...one that holds onto odor more. Tidy Cats Crystal blend usually does the trick. If worst comes to worst, shut the cat into a room where the litter pan is at night, and don't allow her to come out until morning. You can put her food and water right in with her.

 

[country woman]

She has been doing this for the owner too, as for scooping I do it evey morning and night. She gets lots of love and there are no other cats.

 

[fieldlily]

We have an older cat who sometimes does this...so we moved her litter box closer to where she sleeps and now she is making it to the box. But the cat where you are doesn't sound that old or infirmed...still spraying something like pet odor remover where she has been pooping might dismay her. I would think she might be just missing the owner, but if she does it when she is home it doesn't make sense. Sounds like just a very bad habit that wasn't nipped early in the bud.

My 40 year old son's cat went through a phase over ten years ago where she even jumped up and pooped on his stove burners. Well, it did get his attention...She was going through a period of adjustment due to a new cat in the house...now she never does it. She is 18 years old.

 

[country woman]

She only began this a few months ago.

 

[fieldlily]

She only began this a few months ago.

Sounds like something happened to trigger the behavior pattern and she has just continued...

 

[country woman]

I am not sure why this started, but the owner is coming home soon.

 

[chickonfire]

Post #4 is right on target. If there is a room without carpet keep her in there at night, you may have a yowling cat to put up with at night, but she will get the picture. Generally if there is a litter box close and they can't get away from their own doo doo, they will use the litter box and cover it up.

They are creatures of habit, and the habit needs to be broken.

 

[awashinlove]

The cat's spot on the age when many begin to simply stop using the litter box, seemingly for no reason. Certainly the owner should try switching litters or find something "off" in the cat's habitat, and I'd also try bring in a behaviorist to study the cat for a while, but chances are this will simply be a habit that changes with the seasons.

Blessings,
awashinlove

 

[country woman]

I agree with you awashinlove , I am not sure how old Holly is, My daughter said the same thing.