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Help with cat behavior - attacking kids, defecating outside box!?
Any help here is appreciated! My 1-yro cat is acting strangely, and we're at wits end.
The cat has been pooping outside the litter box - about a foot away. This happens maybe 1x a day, but not every day. The litter is kept quite clean, and we have been using an enzyme treatment on that area (it's linoleum), but it doesn't help. Well, now we find the cat has gone on top of our kitchen cabinets and pooped 2-3 times. (Ewww)
On top of this, the cat is being very aggressive to our 5 year old - attacking her and scratching her legs badly. Our child is nice to the cat - pets gently, plays nice, etc etc.
We were told she was sweet and gentle when adopted, this this is a walking, pooping terror...and I'm about done.
5 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
If you've had the cat for a while, and this is a recent change in toileting habits, then you need to take her to the vet for a check up. If she's not feeling good, this might also explain why she's short-tempered.
If the vet gives her a clean bill of health, or you've only recently adopted her, then this is either a problem of some kind with the litter box, or she's feeling insecure and is marking territory (middening). If she's a little nervous, she may be lashing out in fear, so it's best to give her more time to settle in your home.
The web site below has a check list of 18 reasons why a cat stops using their litter box, along with advice on how to solve the problem. If it turns out that she is marking territory, then you'll also find advice on how to deal with that.
http://www.celiahaddon.co.uk/pet%20problems/cats/f...
Keep using the enzyme cleaners, but afterwards, spray or scrub the area with surgical spirit (cheap at the chemist) as this will kill off any remaining scent that she might be able to detect. You can also try placing a dish of dry food at that spot as a further reminder that it's not a toilet area.
Above all, please be patient with her. She's trying to ask for help in the only way she knows how.
- 1 decade ago
If your cat attacks your child, I'd spray it with a water bottle (just once) to tell the cat that scratching is not tolerated. Spray the cat woth the spray bottle either when she's scratching your five year old, or about three seconds after. This will teach her that your 5 year old is good, not bad.
If you catch your cat pooping outside the litter box, scold her and right as she is done either spray her, and/or pick her up and put her in her litter box.
I hope this helps! Good luck with your cat! I love cats!
Source(s): Personal experience - 1 decade ago
Im sorry to here this question. Take the cat to the vet, he may have an anger issue... if this behavior doesnt stop, im sorry to say, but you may want to put the cat to sleep so it won't cause your child any more harm. Or, if your not the person to put the cat to sleep, give it to the SPCA or a friend or family member.
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