![]() ![]() ![]() A quiet corner that is easily accessible to your cat, with no obstacles preventing easy access or escape, is your best bet for box placement. ![]() Placing the litter box or boxes in highly trafficked areas of your home that offer no privacy will almost guarantee a problem. Where you keep your cat’s litter box can be almost as important as the box and litter itself. If you notice your cat’s rear end hanging over the side of the litter box when they’re standing inside, you’ll need to upgrade the size of the box. A kitten or smaller breed of cat may do well with a small litter box, but larger cats, such as Ragdolls or Maine Coons, will need much more room to maneuver. You should also choose a box that is appropriate for the size of your cat. Some cats can use a hooded or top-entry litter box without issue, while others prefer the open space of a non-lidded box or pan. Not only is it soft on paws and low on tracking, but it’s also lightweight so it’s easier to carry and scoop. My favorite is Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Lightweight Multi-Cat Litter. Soft, sandy litter is usually preferred over big chunky pieces that can have sharp edges, which may hurt tender toes. The type of litter you buy can be a huge issue for your cat. Here’s are some litter components that all pet parents should keep in mind: Type of Cat Litter Litter Box IssuesĬats can be quite finicky about the specifics of their litter and litter box, so often it takes some trial and error before finding exactly what appeals to your cat. While their pet parents didn’t think this was significant information, I sure did! The stress and insecurity these cats were already feeling-due to presumed separation anxiety from their mother and siblings, and anxiety over their new home-was further fueled when one of their new human parents was away on business. This differentiates slightly from routine and environmental changes, although the issues can often go hand-in-hand.Īgain, referring to the aforementioned family, I also learned that their cats had only recently joined in their household, arriving just two months before from a reputable breeder. This cat was letting them know that their absence was keenly felt and not at all appreciated! 3. In questioning the family I previously mentioned, it was discovered that their cat inappropriately defecates outside the litter box usually after one of their pet parents returns from a business trip. Cats are very sensitive to environmental changes, and sometimes act out their unhappiness in some very odd and unpleasant ways. Although, it is important to note that all cats in a multi-cat household have their own litter box to do their business. Also, in my anecdotal experience with multi-cat households, I believe when a cat is sick, they will instinctively eliminate elsewhere to keep the illness away from the other members of their cat colony. Often the pain associated with these illnesses cause cats to associate the litter box with pain, so they avoid going there. IllnessĪs some illnesses can lead to a cat pooping on the bed, a clean bill of health from your veterinarian is the very first step on the road to behavior correctionĭiseases such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), cancer or even intestinal parasites can lead a cat to find a new place to defecate. Knowing what is triggering this behavior in your cat is the key to correcting their conduct. While defecating outside the litter box is not as common as a cat urinating outside their litter box, it is not unheard of and both problems usually have similar reasons behind the behavior. ![]() If you’re wondering, “Why did my cat poop on my bed?”, in my opinion, only a few things motivate the usually fastidiously clean feline to defecate on their human’s bed. If your household is suffering the same smelly issue, here are some possible reasons why your cat is pooping on the bed, as well as what you can do about it. After meeting the family and the cats in person, and asking a lot of probing questions, I began to understand what was going on and solve the problem. But, suddenly, one of them defecated in their bed! It wasn’t an everyday occurrence, but it was happening enough to cause stress in the household. They sent me photos and videos of two very happy Ragdoll siblings, playing and grooming each other contentedly. Such was the case with a couple who previously called me, in need of my cat behavioral services. Especially if your cat seems to be a happy, healthy feline, this behavior can cause you to wonder what the heck could be causing this unpleasant issue. If you cat is abandoning their litter box for your bed, it can, of course, be a huge problem -and a confusing one at that. So few things could be more distressing than an unwelcome surprise beneath the sheets, and finding your cat pooping on the bed. For many cat parents, there’s nothing better than curling up in bed at the end of a long day with a purring kitty beside them. ![]()
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