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Problem behavior
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Multi-cat house, no problem previously between her and other cats. We went away on a week's vacation awhile back, and since then, she hides, is bullied at times, not sociable at all, and if she doesn't feel like it, will defecate on whatever she's close to.
We have closed off under a bed after discovering multiple soilings, after cleaning up over and over in other areas.
We're as puzzled as it gets. She comes out to eat, we've watched her come out and look around before she drinks or eats, and she will even run away if we at times even comes close to her.
Very frustrating..thanks for all input we can get!
jim0812: i saw your post. i have a cat that did the same thing. mine is a 2 cat household. when i left for vac a week one of them did the same thing. i tried alot of things but the one thing that worked was getting double the litter boxes than cats. then i bought CAT ATTRACT kitty litter and put in them. get it at petsmart. then i got one of those large wire dog cages and put the offending kitty in it with a small litter box with the cat attract litter in it. i left her in it with food and h20. i when i'd see that she poo'd in the box, i'd scoop it out and praise the kitty. i'd get her out to pet and love on but she'd go back in the cage. 3 days in the cage. then i started letting her out. i could tell by her actions when she was getting ready to poo. so i'd get her and put her back in the cage. i told her when you go poddy in the box, you can get back out. she'd go in the box and i'd compliment her and let her out. i did this for 1 week. i have never had any problems since. i have 2 cats, 4 litter boxes in different place in the house. i still use cat attract but i mix it with tidy cat scoopable. i keep the litter boxes immaculate clean. now she pees in one and poos in the other. good luck.
Kelly Jones, DVM 28 weeks ago
I would recommend that you put your cat in a small room with all of her things: bedding, toys, food, water, litterbox, etc. In doing this, she will start to feel safe in that room. While she is in there, you can give her a favorite treat or catnip and stay in there with her. You initially may have to stay far away from her in the room, but try to move closer every day. The goal would be to gently pet her while she is enjoying her treat. Once she is comfortable in that room, then start to let her roam through the house again, but leave her "safe" room available for her so that she can return if she starts to feel anxious again. The idea is to give her a place where she feels safe and try to interact with her but not if she is acting afraid. Never force your affection on her, this will only frighten her.
Jack Brand @ Caring Hands 26 weeks ago
We have advised many people experiencing feline anxiety related behavioral challenges to use the Base/Safe Room method with very good results.
When you progress out of the safe room adding litter boxes as fox described is definately a good idea as well.
The cage method can certainly work, but in my opinion the lack of space has the potential to create anxiety of its own too. I would start with a safe room and explore more restrictive methods only if needed. My guess is the safe room will work well for you and your kitty.
Peace and Health,
Jack Brand
Marketing & PR Coordiantor
Caring Hands Humane Society
