Is it normal my sister's cat pees and poos in the house?

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10 Comments

I live with my sister and her cat keeps going to the bathroom all over the house even though he has a litter box. He will pee on the floor or on piles of books or clothes, and poo in shoes or any bags that get left out. He has a litter box that he uses often but he still has "accidents" several times a week and even multiple times a day.

My sister doesn't think it's a big deal but I think there might be a problem? Does anyone know why he would be doing this and what might make him stop?

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13% Normal
Based on 15 votes (2 yes)
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Comments ( 10 )
  • [Old Memory]
    6 years ago

    Not normal. I have 4 cats and they dont even have a litter box. They always go outside. If the cat is shitting on the floor it usually means they are trained to use the litter box and the owner isnt keeping it clean so they shit on the floor.
    The other reason they will do it is out of spite because they are pissed about something.

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  • Boojum
    6 years ago

    Does he dislike the material in the litter tray? There are several different kinds, and some cats are particular about where they eliminate. Ours like the pine sawdust pellet sort. It's more pleasant for humans as well, since it minimizes odors.

    Also, some cats can be fussy and they'll avoid using a litter tray that hasn't been cleared of early turds.

    You say "he" when referring to the cat, so I assume it's a male.

    Has he been neutered? Toms scent mark instinctively. Neutered toms are usually not too bad, as long as they had the snip before they reached sexual maturity. Once they start spraying, this is a habit that generally continues even if they're later neutered.

    Cats are not easy to train, although they can learn some rules. One that ours know is that they shouldn't be up on the kitchen work-surfaces when humans come in the room. We know they still do it, because we hear the thump when they jump down as we get near the kitchen. So they haven't taken in the idea that they shouldn't be up there at all, just that they shouldn't get caught.

    Living with a cat with bad habits has to be about making it difficult for him to do the annoying things. There's little point shouting at them or physically punishing them after the event. As much as I like cats, most that I've known have been pretty damn stupid. Unlike dogs, it's difficult for them to make the connection between their actions and the punishment. In their heads, life is going along completely as usual, and the human just suddenly goes bananas.

    If this is a new thing, one final possibility is that he has something physically wrong with him. A visit to a vet for a checkup might be a good idea.

    This behavior is not something I'd tolerate, but in the end, it's your sister's cat. If she can live with the mess and the smell, that's her choice.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      6 years ago

      Thank you, this is really detailed and helpful! I'll talk to her about changing the litter box material or at least cleaning it more often. He is neutered so I don't think it would be that, but a messy litter box could explain his behavior.

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    • BlackCatsAreAwesome
      6 years ago

      "Unlike dogs, it's difficult for them to make the connection between their actions and the punishment."

      I'm not that sure about that, my cat can have this look of guilt if he misbehaves. Spraying some water can be a deterrent.
      It's just that cats don't care about doing something "wrong", as long as they don't get caught.

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      • Boojum
        6 years ago

        Yeah, some cats are brighter than average.

        And you're certainly right about cats not giving a shit, as long as they don't get caught. In my experience, most don't give a damn even if they ARE caught.

        I'm not a dog person at all, but I do find it amusing how guilty ours look when they know they've done something naughty. Doesn't stop them stealing stuff to take to their baskets, but we can immediately tell when they have, even if they're lying on top of it.

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  • Sarajeremy
    4 years ago

    I'd get rid of it

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  • noellewes123
    6 years ago

    my cat kept peeing and pooping on the floor a lot a few months ago. she was only doing this because she's 16. its normal if they are old of age but not when they are trained and/or young..

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  • Nickvey
    6 years ago

    i could make it stop thats for damn sure. i wouldn't put up with a human shitting all over , what makes you think i'd let a cat slip bye.

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  • Zorak
    6 years ago

    He should be an outside cat.

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  • Nickvey
    6 years ago

    death. like a smoker they all stop

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