Cat keeps pooing on rug

[thingymaboob]

History: 3 cats - Cat 1 (female) we had for 8 years and two cats (cat 2 & cat 3) from same litter for 6 years (1 male and 1 female). The female cats always fought and both were very anxious so we rehomed cat 1 as she would be much happier in a 1 cat household (our lovely friends recently lost their cat and were desperate for another so she's gone to a good home and is doing well).
Anyway, our remaining 2 cats are outdoor cats but have a litter tray inside as we keep them in at night (busy road). One of them has now pooped 3 times on a rug in the same room as the litter tray. Why is this happening now? Is it in response to other cat leaving? How can we stop it, please?

I’d put two extra trays in with ultra clumping litter, ankle depth, and if that doesn’t sort it go to the vet and check it’s not a mobility issue.

Are you using an enzyme based cleaner for the rug? If not, try that, and if that doesn't work remove them rug to break the habit.

Agree with need for extra tray/s too.

@Fluffycloudland77

I’d put two extra trays in with ultra clumping litter, ankle depth, and if that doesn’t sort it go to the vet and check it’s not a mobility issue.

I will put in new trays thanks. Don't think mobility issue as they're jumping around the garden all day.

@Anomalocaris

Are you using an enzyme based cleaner for the rug? If not, try that, and if that doesn't work remove them rug to break the habit.

Agree with need for extra tray/s too.

I'll get an enzyme cleaner. Any recommendations please? Thanks

They can hide pain outside. Ours came in one night unable to weightbear so I got him to the vets in under 20 minutes. He jumped on the table. When we got home he went back to not weight-bear again. Luckily she gave him painkillers.

It’s a survival thing, injured/old animals are easy to prey on so you fake being well.

The cleaner I've used is called Simple Solution, the cat one.