cat politics and cat poo

[prisonerofspace]

Apologies for the greedy two-requests-for-help-in-one - if anyone can shed light on either, will be very grateful.

1. Big Boy Cat (9ish, neutered, shy but in ongoing bromance with DP) was moved to our new place last summer. Since then, he has taken to poo-ing on our lawn. All over it.

We would far rather he pooed on our lawn than the neighbours'. But we would be even happier if he dug up a nice little hole in flowerbed, like a normal cat (if that is normal?)
We have laid down mulch/dug flowerbeds over to make them attractive.
Should we worry - I mean, aside from unsightly poo daisies, is this a sign of distress/illness/craziness?

If DP built an 'outside toilet', would cat be likely to use or would this be Another Waste of a Good Weekend?

Other than poo daisies, he seems in good nick, at least until...

1. After much discussion and planning we have got him a step-sister from Blue Cross. We chose as carefully as we could, i.e. female, neutered, young (about 2), apparently used to other cats.

New Girl is having a whale of a time - bonding with me (so BBC can keep His Person), playing, eating, sleeping on me.

Lots of hissing (no blood or actual physical contact) from both of them. That's to be expected (we are on week 3 in the Big Cat House). They will sit in living room together, at opposite ends. But BBC won't play, won't come and spend time with his person, as he used to, won't come upstairs.

New Girl has her own room so no competition for the food/her toilette.

How long can it take? Should we try anything else? We were spraying new girl with water when she hissed at BBC (we have realised this is wrong as she'll associate him with being shot).

Sorry, this is very long. My friends would not tolerate this length of discussion about cats but I figure you are fellow cat obsessives.

[Migsy1]

Not sure about the poo - I guess he is just lazy.

It might take a few months for BBC to accept new girl. It took about 3 months for my old boy to accept naughty new girl but he tolerates her now (although he thinks she is a pain in the neck)

[FeelingTheFire]

It's still very early days with introductions. I'm a year in and the pair still aren't best buddies but will sit in a room together. There's a chance they won't be close but it sounds like they already tolerate each other if they'll sit in a room together - even if it is opposite ends.

When I had girlcat, boycat wouldn't entertain coming to sit with me (despite always doing so previously). Big boy cat might not be coming to spend time because he might feel a bit put out that someone has come on his territory and they're known to be big stubborn pouters. Another reason may be that because there's a cat companion he doesn't "need" as much human interaction as he did previously being a lone cat.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Failure to dig holes for poo can be an indication of arthritis so worth getting him checked out.
Social interactions posh arrogant boy still views his step sister with disdain 18 months later and every so often they have fisticuffs.

[prisonerofspace]

Thanks, catgirls:-)

Reassuring that it takes time.

Lonecat - I didn't think of that - we do take him to vets, but haven't asked specifically about arthritis - will do.

Would you recommend NOT trying to intervene/stop the hissing and swearing? I'm such a softie, I want to do something, but maybe best to leave them to it

[Fluffycloudland77]

Sounds like he's sulking with his person. Some cats can sulk professionally.

I'd leave them to fight it out unless its proper full on neck biting, claws out stuff.

Most of its just swearing really. If you saw what mine does to other cats you wouldn't worry about hissing

[tb]

Not digging a hole for poo can also be marking behaviour.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

If he's not digging a hole he is marking his territory as topcat / wannabe topcat. If he stops shitting on your lawn then the real top cat will start shitting on your lawn instead.