Why had my cat started pooing on the floor?

[Karbea]

She did this about 18months ago and for no reason stopped.
The only thing I can think of is that our pup died at the weekend. But apart from him not being here, nothing has changed for her.
She's an 11 year old Persian.

Seniorboy started doing this because he got some arthritis which made it more difficult for him to use his tray. (More or less sorted with some meds now.) He was a few years older than her though.

Does she use a tray inside normally?

No she normally goes outside, I don't think she has arthritis, definitely not as bad as one of the other cats.
Umm guess I need a visit to the vet, could do without that after the weekend.

I'd get an inside tray (or two) for her and see if that helps - if she's looking healthy in other ways. I'm wondering whether there's another cat hanging around outside (eg a mean tom) who is making her nervous and wanting to do her duty inside.

(They're a bit exposed when they poo - more so than when they pee - and dogs tend to keep other cats away. So if your pup went outside and is no longer there, another cat might take advantage and it's possible she's feeling insecure.)

So sorry about your pup.

No there are no other cats, the only cats here are my 4. I only really want to introduce litter trays if I have to, because when I've done this before they all start using them, and 4 cats create a lot of poo!

Cozie thank you, I'm heartbroken.

I guess there could be something out there, I think we may have a fox...

Now that might well make them edgy. Do you keep them in at night?

No, they've never been kept in, my DH had the Persians before we met and he always let them out, so impossible to keep them in now. I don't think the two eldest go out at night anyway anymore.

Night is the most dangerous time for cats (eg RTAs and predators) and having foxes around (as most of us likely do) could definitely make them very edgy if they knew about it. Myself, I'd keep them all in at night via a microchip cat flap but I think you should definitely get a tray or two if the problem recurs.