Litterbox (or lack of usage) issues

by Natalie
(Minnesota)

Hi Donna,
I thought we had this multiple cats thing figured out, but lately we've had a couple of new problems. Both sets (two males and two females) are just over two years old, littermates, spayed/neutered and seem to be in good health.

One of the four peed in an empty laundry basket (not sure which one) and then another one (I think it was one of the males) pooped outside of one of the litter boxes. We do have eight litter boxes (2 per cat) and they are emptied daily (sometimes 2x a day) and cleaned thoroughly each week. The cats have the run of the house and enough room to escape from one another if they choose so we really are perplexed. One of the girls beats up the same boy cat on a regular basis, but otherwise, they mostly get along.

I was wondering if we're missing something obvious here. Is this a marking territory thing?

Thanks again for all you do for us cat parents!
Natalie

RESPONSE:

Once cats reach true maturity, around 2 or 3 years of age, things can change. It may very well be a territorial thing. The laundry basket makes sense - after, it looks like a litter box, smells fresh and clean, no one else has used it, and it is especially inviting when ther are clothes in it to cover the waste. We NEVER leave the laundry out unattended. We also use one that we can fold and hang up. If you use a platic one, store it where the cats can't get to is are, at the least, store it upside down with something on top so they can't turn it over and use it.
If the one that pooped is the same one that is getting picked on, it may be that he is getting blocked from using the boxes or that she attacked him while he was pooping in one. Try adding more play time, especially for the bully girl, to help tire them out. Give them treats when they are in the same room and being nice. Try changing the location of some of the litter boxes to sort of throw them off their "game" and see if it makes any difference. As always, make sure that the one that pooped is not sick.
We firmly believe that, with lots of cats, occassionally, pee, poop, and vomit are going to happen. As long as it doesn't become a habit, we can cope!
Good Luck,

Donna, House Full Cats Mom