Need Advice About Potty Habits for My Adult Cat.

Well, I'm going to assume that you've done the obvious and cleaned the litterbox. A lot of cats (mine included) won't use the box if it's too dirty. Have you switched litter brands recently? Sometimes cats can be very finicky even about the litter. Or maybe you are right and he is missing his friend.

In the meantime, I would invest in a carpet shampooer and shampoo it well after he uses the carpet because if the smell is there, he will think that is where he should be using instead of his box.

Have you changed litter brands recently? Some cats are very picky about that and if you haven't changed then you may want to try that too. If he is peeing outside the box as well, then you may want to get him checked out for an uti or diabetes as well. Try to keep an eye on his water, and if it seems he is drinking more than usual especially. Hope that is some help just some ideas!

M.,
I worked in vet medicine for several years and know cats very well. It sounds like your cat might have a urinary infection. I would have him checked right away. Cats don't usually start going outside the box for no reason. He might be sick. Sometimes cats will poop and leave it uncovered to mark their territory but if he's going all over the house regularly, the best thing you can do is take him to a good vet to rule out any medical problems. Sometimes cats will have odd behavior and its the only way to let you know somethings wrong with them. Good luck.

Definitely get your cat checked by a veterinarian. If he has a urinary tract infection (UTI) or some other medical condition, a simple medicine could cure the situation. Cats rarely show pain unless they can't handle it anymore, so the fact that he's going outside of the litterbox could be an indication that he's hurting badly. This will be money well spent!
If it's not a medical problem, then perhaps he's a little upset about losing his buddy. Some new toys to distract him, and fresh litter (that doesn't smell like his friend) could help him have a fresh start again. Good luck!

M.,

Do have him checked for a UTI, but I don't think your cat is mad, and he probably doesn't have a UTI. (Does he still pee inside the box?) Still, just in case, get that checked out. Let me explain:

The nature of a cat, when he feels a littermate is lost, is to leave a marker for the littermate to find and smell its way home. This marker usually is poop. If one has an indoor only cat, and she slips out the door, you leave the door open, and the litterbox right outside that door. Honestly, it helps bring your cat home if she is nearby.

I think your cat thinks his friend is lost and is trying to help him find his way home. Maybe he is doing it a lot. He's trying really hard.

You can try feeding him where he poops at. Cats will not poop where they eat.

Also, what are you cleaning it with? If you're using an anomia based cleaner, that smells like cat urine to them, and may bring the cat back to that spot.

I think he's missing his friend.

~D.
Long time cat(s) owner

Cats are very peculiar creatures aren't they? I agree with the others that they are very sensitive to change and to ME, it sounds like he's angry his buddy is gone. If the pooping started right after that, I'd have to say maybe that it's a red flag. Maybe he's lonely?

I would definitely take him to the vet and have them give him a once-over though...before he ruins everything in your house. How old is he know? As the cats get older (and I can attest to this, my cat will be 17 on Friday!) they get lazy. Luckily, he hasn't MISSED the box but about a year ago, he's decided that it's just too much energy to bury his "stuff". I guess that's just his way to get our attention that as an elderly feline, he feels he deserves fresh litter pretty much twice a day or our office stinks!

Have you tried the spray stuff they sell at PetSmart and Petco that serves as a "cat deterrant" or tried maybe baiting the litter box?

Good luck and hope he's okay!

I have had three friends who had this problem.
One reason was the cat had an infection (UTI).
The other was that her cat didn't want to share the litter box and she had to get two although the cats got along great and if I remember she had to keep the litter really clean after each use.
The other after a visit to the vet was a sign of being angry. If you rule out the first two- maybe he is upset?

I remember my mom when training our cat as a kid would take the cat to the dumping ground put its nose down and say no- than take it to the litter box and put it in there. The cat would shake her paws off but she stopped after a few times of doing this and started using the box?

Best of luck.

He could be stressed by his buddy suddenly being gone. Cats are extremely sensitive to change and he could definitely be acting out to show his displeasure. It's also possible that he could have a urinary tract infection. He wouldn't necessarily be urinating outside the box because of a UTI-- often cats will also poop outside the box as a result of urinary tract irritation. It could also possibly be a sign that he doesn't generally feel well. Cats tend to be very private so when they start displaying signs like that, it's usually to get your attention. You might take him to the vet to make sure everything is ok. If everything checks out, at least you'll be able to narrow it down to a behavioral issue. Some cats respond well to Feliway when they are stressed out. It's a feline appeasing pheromone that you can purchase as a plug-in or a spray. It releases a scent that calms the cat but the smell is undetectable to humans. Best wishes! I hope it all works out.

If you have a litter box with a lid try taking that off first. If he is over weight he may be having a hard time get in and out of the box. Also, if he liked having company and a companion to play with. He could also be upset that the other cat is no longer there and you may need to add another cat to your household if you are able to. They get lonely and need a companion. I wish I would have done this with my oldest cat and maybe she would be so mean now.
Hope this helps and Good Luck.

Our cat stops using the litter box when she has an infection or illness. we have learned that if she goes outside of the box more than twice in a row, it's time for a trip to the vet.

There is a possibility that he might have a urinary tract infection or something like that. They associate the litter box as "pain" and go elsewhere. I have a friend that has had two cats do that and I had one too. I would call a vet and ask their opinion.

Hi M. -

Some adult cats have an issue sharing a litter box with another cat. If he didn't have a problem with the other cat, he may have an issue with the scent left behind and the other cat not being there anymore. I suggest you throw out the old litter box and try a new one - it worked with my cat.

M.