How to wean a cat to shit in the wrong place?

In many (but by no means all) cases, toilet problems are the result of poor parenting. It is recommended to litter train kittens from early childhood, and it is very important to approach this process with due attention and responsibility so as not to return to it in the future. But even if the pet is accustomed to the tray since childhood, there is no guarantee that one day he will not change his habits. Why might this happen?

Contrary to popular belief, cats do not shit in the wrong places with the sole purpose of annoying the owner. As a rule, they have much more serious reasons for that. Let’s list the main ones.

Why do cats poop in the wrong place?

• The cat does not like the filler.

This is perhaps the most common reason why cats begin to ignore the litter box. If you decide to replace the filler, and your cat does not approve of the innovation, return everything to its place. As a rule, this is enough to solve the problem.

• The cat does not like the place where the tray is installed.

Rearranging the house can also cause your pet to misbehave. The tray should be installed in a place that is comfortable for the cat, where there is no high traffic and drafts. If a cat is disturbed by various irritants during her business, she will begin to look for a more secluded place.

• The tray is not kept clean.

Another very common cause of the problem. Of course, we all get very tired after a long day at work, but things like keeping the tray clean should be the same, despite the fatigue. Otherwise, our neat cleanliness will be afraid to get their paws dirty in a dirty tray and will prefer to do things on a soft, clean carpet. Agree, it will be harder to eliminate the consequences than to replace the filler in time. 

• The cat is marking its territory.

Both cats and cats naturally mark their territory. In some pets, this instinct is less pronounced, while in others it is stronger. Be that as it may, if you are faced with this problem, you will either have to put up with it, or take your pet to castration (sterilization). There is no third.

• Stress.

Stress is a good reason to change your behavior for the worse. A worried cat can “forget” about using the tray and master the nooks and crannies of the apartment.

• Various diseases.

Not the most common, but the saddest cause of behavior problems. Poor health of the pet, lethargy, pain and incontinence can force him to go to the toilet in the wrong place. And, of course, punishing a cat for this would be extremely cruel. As a rule, in this case, other signs indicate that the pet is not feeling well, and here treatment by a veterinarian cannot be dispensed with. By the way, the sooner you contact him, the easier it will be to solve the problem.

So, we have listed the main reasons why a cat can shit in the wrong places. As noted above, in order to combat this unpleasant habit, first of all, it is necessary to identify the cause of this behavior. But there is another important point here.

If the cat began to spoil in the wrong place, then several points with a smell characteristic of the pet will form in your apartment. The smell in the “places of fault” is very stable and lasts for a long time. You can scrub the carpet for hours with powder or cover all the secluded corners of the apartment with orange peel, but the cat, passing by, will definitely catch its scent, which will act on it as a call to action (in this case, the action will be to relieve the need). To prevent this from happening, be sure to use a behavior corrector for cats, namely antigadines. It is more profitable to choose products in which the complete elimination of odor (and, by the way, stains) is combined with a deterrent effect (for example, Nature’s Miracle 8in1). So you will not only achieve the desired result, i.e. discourage your cat from pooping in the wrong place, but also save on your favorite carpet cleaners and air fresheners.

Another important secret is attention to your pet and taking care of it. Take a closer look at the cat’s behavior, try to understand what is bothering her, and fix the problem. In no case do not resort to unfair punishments. After all, if the cat is stressed or feels bad, you will only aggravate the situation.

Take care of your pets and let them behave well!