need help with an adopted cat.?

Question

He's about a year old.  He poops everywhere, licks plates and eats the dog's food and then throws up.  We were told he was litter box trained and he does use it sometimes.  We've had him 6 or 7 weeks already and it's a daily grind to find the spots and clean them up.  the last few days we've put him in a bathroom with food, water and litter box to try and train him to use it.  He will pee in the litter but generally poops in the bathtub next to it.
Don't want to have to return him, but if he won't change his ways we will have to.
This is my first time with a cat and I don't know what else to try.  The bathroom idea was what I found in my online searches.
Personal experience anyone?

Strength and Honor · Accepted Answer

This is common. Cats are very particular about bathrooming. No help for it. 
Somtimes pooping outside the box is often a sign that the cat is sick. So, a vet visit would be a good idea. If the vet rules out medical problems, try some of these solutions:

Pooping outside the box will often happen when the cat has had painful bowel movements. The cat associates the pain with the litter box and becomes afraid to use the litter box to poop in. If you notice that the feces are hard and dry, try adding a little raw pumpkin to her diet or give a little hairball medicine on a daily basis until the stool becomes a little softer.

There are many cats who refuse to pee and poop in the same box. Simply adding a second box often solves this problem. (scoop both boxes daily)

Also, many cats will do this if they don't think the box is clean enough. Just imagine yourself sitting and concentrating on a toilet full of excrement....not a pleasant thought! So, make sure you keep the litter box very clean (scoop daily).

For cats who poop just outside the box: This is often due to the box being too small for the cat so the cat stands in the box, but her bottom hangs outside while pooping. Switching to an extra large box (such as a rubbermaid underbed storage container) will solve this problem.

Also...she may be telling you that she just isn't comfortable with where you have the boxes right now. It is possible that if you put a second box in a completely different room, she may start using it instead of pooping where she is pooping. If the boxes are in a place where she feels vulnerable while she is having to sit and concentrate she won't use the box there. A quick pee in a scary spot isn't as uncomfortable as taking a poop, which takes longer and makes the cat feel more vulnerable. For some cats, they prefer their boxes to be out in the open so they can see the comings and goings of others...this way they can easily escape if they feel it is necessary. Other cats prefer hidden boxes where no one can see them while they are doing their thing. If the litter boxes are in a closet...this may be her way of telling you that at least one of them needs to be in a more open place. If this is the case, you can put it in a corner of a room and then surround the box with pretty house plants so that it isn't noticeable. Or vice versa; if the boxes are in an open spot, you might need to move one to a more hidden area.

Last but not least, try putting a box where she is defecating, and if she starts using it regularly then you can work on moving it to your desired location.

wizjp · Answer

Sounds like you are headed in the right direction here. Cats can be a pain to break in.

Stick with the bathroom thing for a while; put about 3 inches of water in the tub. Will end pooping in there for sure.

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need help with an adopted cat.?

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