Shitting on the floor

[AliceHurled]

My 13 year old cat has just started shitting on the floor. She stands in the litter tray, but shits just outside it . Anyone know what to do to stop her? She seems a bit old for training. Has used the tray perfectly well before. Not sure where she is weeing as there's no sign of that on the floor

[musicalendorphins]

Our cat sometimes does that too, she is elderly as well. Maybe they don't realize it isn't going into the box? I plan on mentioning to the vet when she goes for her check-up.

[ThatVikRinA22]

try a bigger litter tray with a hood over the top? that would prevent her from hanging her arse over the edge....

you know one like

this

and i have just discovered the best cat litter ever - after owning cats for 23 years i found
this stuff which is a cat litter revelation!

[greenhill]

Have you recently changed the cat litter or washed the tray with a new cleaning product? Sometimes a new, strong smell puts them off, so they poo near the tray rather than in it.

I've got a new air freshener near the litter tray, but don't have it switched on when the cat is in the house and then only briefly.

[Bilbobagginstummy]

I agree with VicarInaTutu - litter tray with a roof means that if they're in, they're in. My cat is same age as yours and started doing the poking on the floor trick. New litter tray has sorted it apart from very occasionally.

[AliceHurled]

Thanks, I could try that. Not sure whether she'd go inside something like that but could give it a try. Maybe put some treats in it at first.

[Meowmi]

My cats used to hang thier arses over the edge like this they didn't realise that they were doing it TBH.

I got fed up clearing the mess, tried a covered tray but they didn't take to it so now i use those plastic stack and store boxes here

They are brilliant for containing any spillage and it means cat litter doesn't get kicked all over the floor either. Just like a normal tray but with higher sides.