Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 3 cats now. 1 is a year and a half, the other 14 and a new kitten who is about 3mos old. We got her about 6wks. We kept her in our bedroom and used a small cardboard box for a litter box. She did good except for a few accidents which really seemed like she just didn't have full control. Anyway, we went away for a weekend and she stayed with the foster family we got her from. Since then she poops like every 3rd poop or so on the carpet...well more specifically air vents or powerstrips/cables. This is just weird.
I clean the litter box every other day which is fine to the other cats. It is very big box I got with a cover. It's the same litter she started with. I have tried putting her in the bathroom for a period of a few days were she had food, water and a litter box, getting her out periodically for play. This is hard to do because it causes my 3yr old child and the other cat stress. The 1.5 yr old cat is very attached to the kitten. I have tried laying down alumium foil where she likes to poop, i have tried moving the litter box there. I have taken her to the vet. I found she had worms even after I was told she was dewormed...but no issues or illness that would explain the behavior. She gets attention, but we are a working family so we are only home so many hours. That doesn't seem to matter if we are home or not when she poops. Cleaning the litter box does not matter. It isn't an issue she doesn't know how to use it.
I have used that spray...ferway...fermons...something...doesn't matter.
I have only caught her in the act a few times, each time I immediatly placed her in the litter box where she did her business...but the message to use it all the time isn't there.
I don't think she does it out of spite...I can't figure out why she would.
I have also changed her food per the vet.
I can't explain the air vents as the choice place, or power cords/strips. I am afraid she will get zapped as some of the power cords have discolored as if burned after she did that, and well, you just can't clean it out of a power strip. It's just weird.
I am out of ideas. I have NEVER had a cat with this issue. I am afraid I will have no choice but to give her back. But she is so sweet, and loved by my family, including other cats....I just hope I can find an answer here.

Have you tried putting one extra litterbox somewhere? The kitten just might feel the box isn't clean enough. Or perhaps one of the other cats is occasionally "spooking" the kitten when she tries to use the box.

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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

I believe the recommendation is to have one litter box for each cat plus one extra! Also, some cats definitely don't like covered boxes for some reason. I think you should offer more boxes and at least one that is uncovered.

I have 6 cats, so I have to be very vigilant with the litter box situation. I scoop twice a day, and they have several boxes available to them.

Don't give up hope! I think you can work something out to keep your kitten. It sounds like she/he fits in so well otherwise. Best of luck!

Definatly try getting another box, and even cleaning everyday instead of every other. Some cats can be picky enough that if the box has been used they simply will not use it until it's cleaned.

I have multiple boxes now. I have already tried cleaning everyday, it doesn't matter. It will be a clean box and if given the chance, 1 of 3 times she will use the carpet by the air vent or power cords behind desk. Boxes in her 'favorite' spots do not matter. I am now a week or two into using a dog crate?. I have her box, food, bed and toys in it. I take her out to play, but still, sometimes she sneaks and poops. I guess I just have to be more strict in making her only choice the litter box, but honestly chasing her and a 3yr old is hard sometimes.
I am down to trying maybe cat attract litter? I think that is what it is called. I am going to look for it this weekend.
I have learned she was abandoned with a litter and the only female. The males in her litter don't have this issue though. They were abandoned too young, and fed with bottles. I learned that if a kitten is weened too young, it may not have learned proper hygine from it's mother. Angle does not have proper hygine. She can not cover her poop for some reason, and after she goes, if she jumps on you she will get it on you. She never gets it clean off her tail. My older cat has tried very hard to teach her, I see her cleaning and taking up with her. Angel just does not get it. I also learned if this is the case for her, that she will never be clean like the other cats or poop 100% in the litter box. That although the other cat may try to teach her, and I may try, we just can't do it like her mother.
So, I don't know. Thanks for your suggestions but I am out of ideas other then a behaviorist, but I have no experience with them.

Try cat attract litter. Maybe that will help.
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Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

Have you tried putting her poops into the litterbox? This has been said to help.
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

What are you using to clean the spots where she poops? And is it just poop or is she peeing outside the box too?
Sometimes, even thought we can't see or smell the poop/pee any more the kitten still can. And if it smells like someplace she went before then she will think it is okay to go there in the future.
Try getting a black light (they are actually pretty cheap) and running it over your carpet. It will show you if there is any residue that you can't see. If you can get that residue out and start all over will litter training (the crate is a good idea) it may help.
Behaviorists can be very good with certain problems, they are not a cure all and they are very expensive. I would try using the black light and cat attrak litter first.

also there is a product called feli-way that you could try. It is supposed to be for tom cat spray, but I have heard it can work in these situations as well.