Why is the cat doing this?

[Jeff Harper]

While we were away on a trip for a week, one of my girlfriend's two
male cats began defecating on the tile floor in the foyer by the door.
Now that she is back, he still sometimes does it, despite his litter
box being clean. We spray the area with a cat deterrent but that
provides only a temporary fix.

Any insight into this behavior would be most appreciated.

Jeff

Jeff Harper
Tampa, FL

[Priscilla Ballou]

In article >,
(Jeff Harper) wrote:

> While we were away on a trip for a week, one of my girlfriend's two
> male cats began defecating on the tile floor in the foyer by the door.
> Now that she is back, he still sometimes does it, despite his litter
> box being clean. We spray the area with a cat deterrent but that
> provides only a temporary fix.
>
> Any insight into this behavior would be most appreciated.

Have you had him checked out by the vet?

Priscilla
--
Minutus cantorum, minutus balorum,
minutus carborata descendum pantorum.
(thanks be to topfive.com)

[Priscilla Ballou]

In article >,
(Jeff Harper) wrote:

> While we were away on a trip for a week, one of my girlfriend's two
> male cats began defecating on the tile floor in the foyer by the door.
> Now that she is back, he still sometimes does it, despite his litter
> box being clean. We spray the area with a cat deterrent but that
> provides only a temporary fix.
>
> Any insight into this behavior would be most appreciated.

Have you had him checked out by the vet?

Priscilla
--
Minutus cantorum, minutus balorum,
minutus carborata descendum pantorum.
(thanks be to topfive.com)

[PawsForThought]

>From: Priscilla Ballou

>In article >,
> (Jeff Harper) wrote:
>
>> While we were away on a trip for a week, one of my girlfriend's two
>> male cats began defecating on the tile floor in the foyer by the door.
>> Now that she is back, he still sometimes does it, despite his litter
>> box being clean. We spray the area with a cat deterrent but that
>> provides only a temporary fix.
>>
>> Any insight into this behavior would be most appreciated.
>
>Have you had him checked out by the vet?
>
>Priscilla

Yes, I would definitely have him vet checked just to rule out any physical
cause. Also, I would definitely add another litterbox. Some cats like to pee
in one and poo in the other.

Lauren
________
See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm

[PawsForThought]

>From: Priscilla Ballou

>In article >,
> (Jeff Harper) wrote:
>
>> While we were away on a trip for a week, one of my girlfriend's two
>> male cats began defecating on the tile floor in the foyer by the door.
>> Now that she is back, he still sometimes does it, despite his litter
>> box being clean. We spray the area with a cat deterrent but that
>> provides only a temporary fix.
>>
>> Any insight into this behavior would be most appreciated.
>
>Have you had him checked out by the vet?
>
>Priscilla

Yes, I would definitely have him vet checked just to rule out any physical
cause. Also, I would definitely add another litterbox. Some cats like to pee
in one and poo in the other.

Lauren
________
See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm

[Jeff Harper]

(PawsForThought) wrote in message >...

> >Have you had him checked out by the vet?
> >

>
> Yes, I would definitely have him vet checked just to rule out any physical
> cause. Also, I would definitely add another litterbox. Some cats like to pee
> in one and poo in the other.


Thanks for the input and concern for Curly (long haired & pitch
black). What kinds of health problems could cause this behavior?

The timing of it--happening when Ashley was away for awhile--made me
think the behavior might be due to separation anxiety. And I was
thinking that it might have continued after her return as a bad habit.

Having a vet check him out seems like the safe thing to do. Problem
is, a trip to the clinic and an exam would be very traumatic for this
little fellow. We'd like to avoid it if the problem's root is not
physical.

Jeff

Jeff Harper
Tampa, FL

[Jeff Harper]

(PawsForThought) wrote in message >...

> >Have you had him checked out by the vet?
> >

>
> Yes, I would definitely have him vet checked just to rule out any physical
> cause. Also, I would definitely add another litterbox. Some cats like to pee
> in one and poo in the other.


Thanks for the input and concern for Curly (long haired & pitch
black). What kinds of health problems could cause this behavior?

The timing of it--happening when Ashley was away for awhile--made me
think the behavior might be due to separation anxiety. And I was
thinking that it might have continued after her return as a bad habit.

Having a vet check him out seems like the safe thing to do. Problem
is, a trip to the clinic and an exam would be very traumatic for this
little fellow. We'd like to avoid it if the problem's root is not
physical.

Jeff

Jeff Harper
Tampa, FL

[Priscilla Ballou]

In article >,
(Jeff Harper) wrote:
> (PawsForThought) wrote in message
> >...
> > >Have you had him checked out by the vet?
> > Yes, I would definitely have him vet checked just to rule out any physical
> > cause. Also, I would definitely add another litterbox. Some cats like to
> > pee
> > in one and poo in the other.

> Thanks for the input and concern for Curly (long haired & pitch
> black). What kinds of health problems could cause this behavior?

I don't know. I'm not a vet. Which is why you need to take him to one.

> The timing of it--happening when Ashley was away for awhile--made me
> think the behavior might be due to separation anxiety. And I was
> thinking that it might have continued after her return as a bad habit.

Well, sure, but without checking to see if he's well, one can't know if
that's the cause or not. He could be unwell in some way totally
unrelated to his bowel habits but continuing the inapropriate pooping as
a way of articulating that something's wrong. Just as your going away
had nothing to do with his bowel habits, but he used it to express that
something was amiss in his world.

> Having a vet check him out seems like the safe thing to do. Problem
> is, a trip to the clinic and an exam would be very traumatic for this
> little fellow. We'd like to avoid it if the problem's root is not
> physical.

You can't rule it out without a checkup. Do you have any travelling
vets in your area? Where are you?

Priscilla
--
Minutus cantorum, minutus balorum,
minutus carborata descendum pantorum.
(thanks be to topfive.com)

[Priscilla Ballou]

In article >,
(Jeff Harper) wrote:
> (PawsForThought) wrote in message
> >...
> > >Have you had him checked out by the vet?
> > Yes, I would definitely have him vet checked just to rule out any physical
> > cause. Also, I would definitely add another litterbox. Some cats like to
> > pee
> > in one and poo in the other.

> Thanks for the input and concern for Curly (long haired & pitch
> black). What kinds of health problems could cause this behavior?

I don't know. I'm not a vet. Which is why you need to take him to one.

> The timing of it--happening when Ashley was away for awhile--made me
> think the behavior might be due to separation anxiety. And I was
> thinking that it might have continued after her return as a bad habit.

Well, sure, but without checking to see if he's well, one can't know if
that's the cause or not. He could be unwell in some way totally
unrelated to his bowel habits but continuing the inapropriate pooping as
a way of articulating that something's wrong. Just as your going away
had nothing to do with his bowel habits, but he used it to express that
something was amiss in his world.

> Having a vet check him out seems like the safe thing to do. Problem
> is, a trip to the clinic and an exam would be very traumatic for this
> little fellow. We'd like to avoid it if the problem's root is not
> physical.

You can't rule it out without a checkup. Do you have any travelling
vets in your area? Where are you?

Priscilla
--
Minutus cantorum, minutus balorum,
minutus carborata descendum pantorum.
(thanks be to topfive.com)

[Sandra Loosemore]

(Jeff Harper) writes:

> Thanks for the input and concern for Curly (long haired & pitch
> black). What kinds of health problems could cause this behavior?

One of my cats poops on the floor when she's having problems with her
anal sacs. This is a problem the vet can "fix" in about 2 minutes, but
if it's left alone it can develop into a nasty abscess which needs to
be treated with antibiotics, etc.

> Having a vet check him out seems like the safe thing to do. Problem
> is, a trip to the clinic and an exam would be very traumatic for this
> little fellow. We'd like to avoid it if the problem's root is not
> physical.

Well, you won't know whether the problem is physical unless you take
him to the vet, right? And if it is a physical problem, not having it
taken care of could turn out to be even more traumatic for both you
and your cat.

-Sandra

[Sandra Loosemore]

(Jeff Harper) writes:

> Thanks for the input and concern for Curly (long haired & pitch
> black). What kinds of health problems could cause this behavior?

One of my cats poops on the floor when she's having problems with her
anal sacs. This is a problem the vet can "fix" in about 2 minutes, but
if it's left alone it can develop into a nasty abscess which needs to
be treated with antibiotics, etc.

> Having a vet check him out seems like the safe thing to do. Problem
> is, a trip to the clinic and an exam would be very traumatic for this
> little fellow. We'd like to avoid it if the problem's root is not
> physical.

Well, you won't know whether the problem is physical unless you take
him to the vet, right? And if it is a physical problem, not having it
taken care of could turn out to be even more traumatic for both you
and your cat.

-Sandra

[PawsForThought]

>From: (Jeff Harper)

(PawsForThought) wrote in message
>...
>
>> >Have you had him checked out by the vet?
>> >
>
>>
>> Yes, I would definitely have him vet checked just to rule out any physical
>> cause. Also, I would definitely add another litterbox. Some cats like to
>pee
>> in one and poo in the other.
>
>
>Thanks for the input and concern for Curly (long haired & pitch
>black). What kinds of health problems could cause this behavior?

Of course it's really hard to say, just guessing here, but it could be colitis,
irritable bowel syndrom, or impacted anal glands for example. The vet would
need to express them. It's really important he be seen by a vet, otherwise if
this is his problem, it could get a lot worse, causing the cat quite a bit of
discomfort or possibly pain. He could also have other problems too.

>The timing of it--happening when Ashley was away for awhile--made me
>think the behavior might be due to separation anxiety. And I was
>thinking that it might have continued after her return as a bad habit.

It is possible of course. Are you cleaning the areas where he poos with an
enzymatic cleaner such as Nature's Miracle? If you don't use this type of
cleaner, the cat can still smell the area and will most likely keep going
there.

>Having a vet check him out seems like the safe thing to do. Problem
>is, a trip to the clinic and an exam would be very traumatic for this
>little fellow. We'd like to avoid it if the problem's root is not
>physical.

Yeah I know how you feel. My cats aren't thrilled with the whole vet thing
either. But unfortunately it is necessary, I think, that your cat be seen. As
another poster mentioned, perhaps you have a vet who makes house calls. In the
meantime, I would most definitely add an extra litterbox. Also, have you
changed the kind of litter, or have you placed his box in a new place? Is the
location of the box somewhere private and out of the way of the general traffic
of the house?

Here is an excellent website all about inappropriate elimination in cats:

http://www.h-o-tlists.com/pet1/inapelimin.htm

Good luck, Jeff, and keep us posted.

Lauren
________
See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm

[PawsForThought]

>From: (Jeff Harper)

(PawsForThought) wrote in message
>...
>
>> >Have you had him checked out by the vet?
>> >
>
>>
>> Yes, I would definitely have him vet checked just to rule out any physical
>> cause. Also, I would definitely add another litterbox. Some cats like to
>pee
>> in one and poo in the other.
>
>
>Thanks for the input and concern for Curly (long haired & pitch
>black). What kinds of health problems could cause this behavior?

Of course it's really hard to say, just guessing here, but it could be colitis,
irritable bowel syndrom, or impacted anal glands for example. The vet would
need to express them. It's really important he be seen by a vet, otherwise if
this is his problem, it could get a lot worse, causing the cat quite a bit of
discomfort or possibly pain. He could also have other problems too.

>The timing of it--happening when Ashley was away for awhile--made me
>think the behavior might be due to separation anxiety. And I was
>thinking that it might have continued after her return as a bad habit.

It is possible of course. Are you cleaning the areas where he poos with an
enzymatic cleaner such as Nature's Miracle? If you don't use this type of
cleaner, the cat can still smell the area and will most likely keep going
there.

>Having a vet check him out seems like the safe thing to do. Problem
>is, a trip to the clinic and an exam would be very traumatic for this
>little fellow. We'd like to avoid it if the problem's root is not
>physical.

Yeah I know how you feel. My cats aren't thrilled with the whole vet thing
either. But unfortunately it is necessary, I think, that your cat be seen. As
another poster mentioned, perhaps you have a vet who makes house calls. In the
meantime, I would most definitely add an extra litterbox. Also, have you
changed the kind of litter, or have you placed his box in a new place? Is the
location of the box somewhere private and out of the way of the general traffic
of the house?

Here is an excellent website all about inappropriate elimination in cats:

http://www.h-o-tlists.com/pet1/inapelimin.htm

Good luck, Jeff, and keep us posted.

Lauren
________
See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm

[Alison]

"Jeff Harper" > wrote in message
om...
> While we were away on a trip for a week, one of my girlfriend's two
> male cats began defecating on the tile floor in the foyer by the
door.
> Now that she is back, he still sometimes does it, despite his
litter
> box being clean. We spray the area with a cat deterrent but that
> provides only a temporary fix.
>
> Any insight into this behavior would be most appreciated.
>
> Jeff
>
>
Hi Jeff,
Apart from a medical problem, cats poo on pathways and doorways
that are well used . Dominant cats do it to mark territory but cats do
it if they have had an upset to reassure themselves, the same as with
spraying.
Alison

[Alison]

"Jeff Harper" > wrote in message
om...
> While we were away on a trip for a week, one of my girlfriend's two
> male cats began defecating on the tile floor in the foyer by the
door.
> Now that she is back, he still sometimes does it, despite his
litter
> box being clean. We spray the area with a cat deterrent but that
> provides only a temporary fix.
>
> Any insight into this behavior would be most appreciated.
>
> Jeff
>
>
Hi Jeff,
Apart from a medical problem, cats poo on pathways and doorways
that are well used . Dominant cats do it to mark territory but cats do
it if they have had an upset to reassure themselves, the same as with
spraying.
Alison