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Paws & Claws

Jill Bowen has practiced veterinary medicine in England and Texas. She lives in Blacksburg now, and answers local pet owners' questions every week in The Roanoke Times and roanoke.com.

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Q I have a 6-year-old female cat that is pooping outside the litter box.

I had a 15-year-old cat that died two years ago from kidney failure. When the older cat was alive, Luckie would occasionally urinate outside the box on a pad, but I thought it was because she could possibly smell the medicine in the older one's urine.

I purchased a new box and she started using it. I clean the box first thing in the morning and again when I return home from work. She urinates in the box but will not do both in it.

She will poop on the rug in the hallway. I figured she was doing it because it wasn't clean, so I purchased an automatic litter box, but this did not change a thing.

I am getting extremely frustrated with her. It's difficult to leave town and have someone come in and pick up poop off the floor.

A Carpet is particularly difficult to clean and remove all evidence of your cat's accidents.

It is vital to do this in order to prevent your cat soiling again in the same place. As long as there are any traces of odor remaining, your cat will continue to poop in the same spot.

Cleaning the area thoroughly with a solution of vinegar and water works quite well, but there are now enzyme cleaners available that are much more efficient at removing persistent cat odors.

Do not use any cleaning products that are ammonia-based, as when the ammonia decomposes, it has a cat-like odor and will encourage your cat to remark this area. If after the rug is thoroughly cleaned your cat continues to defile it, crushed mothballs spread over the area often work well as a deterrent.

Failing that, or if the mothball smell is an unacceptable solution, try feeding your cat in that area, as cats do not like to soil in the area where they eat.

Try sprinkling a little dry cat food on the rug when leaving the house. Other solutions are to cover the area with renewable aluminum foil or crinkled plastic wrap. Leave the covering in place for at least two months.

Punishment never works and is often counterproductive. If you catch your cat in the act, calmly pick her up and place her in the litter box.

Some cats are fussy about the type of litter and also about the type of box provided. Some cats appear to be claustrophobic and do not like covered boxes, especially if the box is small and the cat is large.

Most cats feel vulnerable when defecating and like to be able to see all around. If the litter box is a covered one, it should be large enough so that the cat has room to turn round upon entering and look out. The litter box should be in a quiet area away from family traffic.

A second litter box may be placed on top of the cleaned rug as another solution. If she uses it, leave it in place for seven to 10 days before gradually moving it a foot at a time to a more convenient location. It should remain in each new site for a week before moving it again.

As a final resort, if all other measures have failed, confine your cat for four to five weeks to a small area just large enough for a sleeping area, food and water containers and the litter box (the downstairs cloak room or laundry room work well).

For the first week she is not allowed out of the area, then she is allowed out for short periods under close supervision. Gradually increase the time she is out of confinement, until she is only shut up at night or when you leave the house.