I have two housecats, one of whom is a strange little creature with a deformed back end (I know, I shouldn't have taken her on but I felt sorry for her!). In the last few years she's started pooing outside of the litter box. She's sick quite a lot as well, but so is the other cat and we've had them both at the vet many times about it - there's never been anything actually wrong.
The pooing is becoming quite a problem though, as we have a baby crawling about now. The last time we asked the vet about it he said he thought it was some kind of colitis - it's often runny, and sometimes has tiny bits of blood in it - but they don't seem to want to do anything about it. It doesn't happen all the time, she's a fussy wee thing and doesn't like using the box if it's needing cleaned (so we try to keep it as clean as possible), but aside from that it seems to be when her guts are bad that she doesn't use the box 
It's only ever poo as well - no problem with weeing.
I'd never ever get rid of her, but I don't feel like I can let my son have as much freedom as he should in his own home, in case she's made a mess again 
Does anyone have any tips? We have one litter box (should we try two?) use clumping litter (should we try non-clumping?), and scoop the box once a day, more than that if I have time. She eats, drinks, scratches, and is generally happy other than this. She's a bit skittish, more so since DS arrived - would one of those Feliway diffuser thingies help?
I'd be grateful for any suggestions! Family life would be much more pleasant if I could sort this problem out.
Sorry for the novel.
Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.
The litter tray
Help - inappropriate elimination
SerenaJoy · 02/07/2012 12:53
Yes I think I'll try a second litter tray (and possibly a Feliway diffuser in case it's a stress related thing). Out of interest, where do you keep your litter boxes? We don't have room in either loo, so ours is in the dining room. Not very hygienic but there you go!
I don't think it's a matter of not getting to the box on time Paiviaso - she could be right next to the bloody thing and will actively seek out soft furnishings to crap on instead
She's 7 timtam. Symptoms sound very similar to your old boy, I will mention this to the vet.
We've spoken to 2-3 different vets at the same practice, and they've never seemed too worried. The blood is only ever a tiny bit, and infrequent. But perhaps I need to be more assertive - I suppose I always just accept what they say without questioning it (maybe in an I-don't-want-to-think-about-her-being-ill kind of way ). I thought it was quite common for cats to regurgitate their food though?
Anyway she's due her booster and annual check up so will raise it (again) with the vet and tell them I would like them to do some investigations.
Thanks for the advice :)
Oh thanks Cailleach, I'll keep that in mind - something else to try!
Am laughing at 'Upmarket Posho Mog Nosh' though 
Just thought I'd update this in case anyone with a similar problem ever stumbles across it.
I persevered with the vet and eventually found one who did more than just shrug and say 'meh, cats are bastards' (or words to that effect). His opinion is that my little moggy has IBS, or some other sort of colitis, that was causing her inappropriate toileting behaviour. She is now on the poshest of Posho Mog Nosh (Royal Canin Sensitive, for anyone's that's interested) and is miles better. Still has occasional flare ups but it's such an improvement - she seems so much happier, and therefore so are we!
So there you go - cats can get IBS too.
Here endeth my Public Service Announcement
Thanks to everyone who contributed.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.