Advice needed - 2 kittens and toileting

[MillyStar9]

I got two rescue kittens in August, they were 5 months old. I’ve never had cats before and they were a dream. They are now 7 months old and one of them has started pooing all over the lounge at night. I know which one it is because he did it in the same spot in the day. Up until recently there was still poo in the litter tray, however last night there was no poo in either litter tray and 5 poos all over the downstairs, this makes me think it’s now both of them. I have now removed the rug, I’ve scrubbed the areas, I’ve bought a deterrent spray which is horrible and sticky but I’ve persisted with it. Why have they stopped using the litter trays? It’s making me so unhappy as it’s so horrible to wake up to it. I can’t isolate the areas as the whole downstairs is open plan.

Oh god, you poor thing. Cats are generally fastidiously clean about toileting in my experience, so I’d be inclined to see the vet and make sure there’s no medical reason. If not, is there anything new that is makimg them stressed/unhappy? (Even maybe fireworks outside?)

Thank you for replying. This morning was better, poo in the litter tray and only one on the floor. But it’s making me so anxious waking up

How many trays do you have OP? If you don't already have 2, I'd add another to see if that helps.

Have you tried any of the Feliway diffusers? Just if it's an anxiety think it may help.

Will they go outside eventually? They may then prefer toiletting out there.

Also I meant to say, are they definitely pooing outside the tray, or missing their aim? Our boy very occasionally poos on the mat the tray sits on, and (I have watched him do it) it’s that his angle is off and his bum’s over the edge, rather than him deliberately want to toilet on the mat if that makes sense. We have a big tray, he’s just a bit of a dafty.

He does go out but will often come in to use the tray and go back out.

Agree with pp that more trays might help. We currently have two cats (one a long term house guest) and three trays.

Have you changed the litter? Or maybe try a different one? Cats are strange and changeable.
Also - if it keeps happening, consider a vet check. Make sure you clean the area with an enzyme cleaner and don't use disinfectant.

2 cats need 3 trays. Are the trays completely clean? Are they easy to access?

Have you a smaller room with no carpet to keep them in for a week or so, 2 or 3 litter trays in it. Basically back to basics with litter training.

Thank you so much for the replies. I have removed the rug and it’s being professionally cleaned however fingers crossed this is solved … I always get them in at night however last night I let them back out (enclosed garden, small cul de sac, they can get back in) and there was no poo at all and they seem much happier (I did have a baby mouse as a gift but you can’t win them all!).

Some cats just prefer to toilet outside. One of my cats was a nightmare as a kitten, refused to use a tray, always toileted on the floor by the door. Once she was old enough to go out the problem vanished. She will only toilet outside. My house backs onto open fields and an old church yard so I assume her preferred location is out there somewhere.
Two of my other cats come back inside to use their trays!