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I've been having a problem with 2 out of my 3 cats going #2 outside of their litter box. I have 3 covered litter boxes in which I use a clumping litter. The brand is Arm & Hammer. 1 of the cats always uses the litter box, but about 2 years ago, the other 2 will only use it sometimes. They pee in the box, but like to poop a couple feet away from it. I clean the clumps from the boxes daily. It's getting really frustrating because sometimes the do it even after I have recently cleaned the boxes. Does anyone have any ideas of some things I can try? New type of litter? Anything else? Thanks in advance for your help.

Garrick

>>I've been having a problem with 2 out of my 3 cats going #2 outside of their litter box. I have 3 covered litter boxes in which I use a clumping litter. The brand is Arm & Hammer. 1 of the cats always uses the litter box, but about 2 years ago, the other 2 will only use it sometimes. They pee in the box, but like to poop a couple feet away from it. I clean the clumps from the boxes daily. It's getting really frustrating because sometimes the do it even after I have recently cleaned the boxes. Does anyone have any ideas of some things I can try? New type of litter? Anything else? Thanks in advance for your help.
>>
>>Garrick

Even though this problem has been going on two years, I'd like to rule out the obvious first. Take them to a vet and make sure a fecal test is done to rule out parasites or other things that might create pain when they are having bowel movements. You really need to do this first, because if they do have a medical issue, all the behavioral tricks in the world aren't going to work.

Second, have you tried removing the cover from one of the boxes? It may be that one or two of them have decided they simply don't like pooping with a lid on. If I were in your position, I would start by simply removing a cover first from only one box first and see if that helps.

Also remember to clean the area on the floor with an enzymatic cleaner specifically made to remove pet odors. (Nature's Miracle is a popular brand and is found in most pet stores.) As long as ANY scent remains on the floor, their instincts are going to tell them to go on that spot. So it's imperative that you clean it thoroughly.

Let me know if you've already done all of these, and we can move to Step 2.

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PHCurious
Cat Chat Host

You might also try a totally different type of litter in one of the boxes --- maybe like a feline pine, or a straight old normal clay litter, non scented and not clumping?

Portia
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Ash, Zade and Wittul Antares

You have alread gotten some excellent advice here. My question is...are the litterboxes lined up in the same area? If so, I would not only try removing the cover on one and adding a different type litter, but I would also add another litterbox in the area where they tend to go and maybe even another in a totally different area fo the house if possible. Cats are strange and sometimes just plain prefer a different location for specific things. I have 2 cats that use the upstairs boxes for urination but will only go downstairs to the basement boxes to poop.
Purrs,
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Munchie

I used to have 3 cats (1 male & 2 females). After declawing them, the girls quit using the box to go #2. My boy used the box. He passed away and I thought maybe the girls didn't want to go #2 where he had been. Now he's gone and they still persist! I'd like to get some kind of different answer than what have been given since they do not work for my cats. Any ideas? Thanks! Colleen

I used to have 3 cats (1 male & 2 females). After declawing them, the girls quit using the box to go #2. My boy used the box. He passed away and I thought maybe the girls didn't want to go #2 where he had been. Now he's gone and they still persist! I'd like to get some kind of different answer than what have been given since they do not work for my cats. Any ideas? Thanks! Colleen

I need to know a couple of things before I can offer any suggestions. First, where DO the females go #2 right now? Second, how long has this behavior been going on?

Frankly, the females might have associated the pain of declawing with the pain of digging in the litter and doing #2. But they can be retrained. Let me know a little more about what is going on and I'll try to help!
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