Up until now, your cat has always done its big business in its litter box, but has it been defecating in the apartment for a while? This uncleanliness can have several reasons for a housebroken cat. You can read about the causes behind it and how to get the problem under control here.
These 5 tips will help you if your housebroken cat suddenly stops doing its big business in the toilet
First things first: Realize that your cat doesn’t want to annoy or provoke you when it defecates in the apartment. Rather, her uncleanliness shows that she has a problem and there is definitely a reason for her uncleanliness.
These tips will help you find out the reason as quickly as possible and solve your problem:
Off to the vet!
If your cat is actually housebroken and suddenly defecates in the apartment, there is often a physical illness behind it. Therefore, the first step is always a visit to the veterinarian.
Tip 1
Has your cat been checked out by the vet?
Ask for a blood test and a urine test to be done.
If your cat is ill and therefore has pain when peeing or defecating, she often associates this pain with her litter box and, to be on the safe side, prefers not to use it anymore.
But it’s also possible that your kitty can’t control her intestines due to an illness and simply doesn’t make it to the toilet in time.
The most common diseases associated with uncleanliness are:
- kidney problems
- intestinal diseases
- cystitis
- urinary crystals and stones
- Incontinence (due to illness, dementia, or old age)
- diabetes
If your cat is given the appropriate medication for her condition, the pain should subside quickly, and after a while, she should get used to and use her litter box again on her own.
Buy new litter box(es)
If your cat is physically healthy and still doesn’t defecate in the litter box, she may just think it’s stupid.
Tip 2
You should find the right litter box for your kitty. You can read how to do that here: Buying guide: Which litter box is right for my cat?
There can be several reasons why your kitty no longer uses her litter box:
The toilet model no longer suits her. Has your cat had the same litter box for many years? Then it may be that this model has become too small or narrow for her or that she no longer likes the high edge as she gets older. Or no longer feels safe in her closed litter box. In these cases, only one thing helps: You need one or preferably several new litter boxes. It can be quite helpful if you offer your kitty two different litter box models in different locations in the apartment. So she has more choices. You can find out which litter box suits your cat best in our buying guide.
The location is too restless. A litter box should be in a quiet spot so your cat won’t be disturbed while she is doing her business. However, it should not be in an area outside of social coexistence, such as B. far away in the basement. It is also important that the litter box should never be in the same room as the food and water bowls.
The litter box is difficult to reach: if the litter box is in the basement, for example, it is no longer so easy for an older cat to get up and down the stairs. So you should make sure that your kitty can easily reach the toilet and that she can get in easily at any time.
The environment of the toilet has changed. Did you use a new cleaning product for cleaning or put a new shoe cabinet next to the litter box? Something like this can be enough to stop your cat from peeing in its toilet and preferring to defecate in the apartment.
Clean the toilet regularly
Cats are very clean animals. So if your kitty thinks her toilet is too dirty because you don’t clean it regularly, she’d rather find another place to do her business.
Tip 3
Clean the litter box at least once a day.
It’s even better if you clean the toilet immediately after each use.
You should also wash out the toilet once a week and completely replace the litter.
It’s also possible that your cat just doesn’t like the litter in her litter box and prefers to pee next to the litter box. Then it can help if you swap out the litter and try different materials, from pellets to shavings to scented litter.
Reassure your cat
Cats are real creatures of habit and like consistent processes. If these change, it can stress your kitty so much that she defecates in the apartment, even though she is actually housebroken.
Tip 4
Take your time and give your cat a lot of love and attention.
Provide lots of treats and cuddles.
You can also distribute special fragrance diffusers with pheromones around the apartment. These are endogenous odor messengers that give your cat more well-being.
In particularly stressful times (moving, new family member, renovation, etc.) you can also support your cat with Bach flowers, which are herbal tranquilizers. Talk to your vet first though.
Always introduce socialization to new cats, dogs, other pets, or new family members slowly and carefully.
There are many situations that can frighten and stress your cat.
A new environment. Have you moved, bought new furniture, or rearranged it? Such changes can overwhelm your cat. Then she just needs a certain amount of time to get used to the new situation.
A new family member or pet has moved in. Have you had a child or has a dog or a second cat moved in with you? Then your cat can be very insecure or even develop jealousy of the competitor.
A changed daily routine. Do you have a new job or new working hours and are you suddenly out of the house at different times? Or do you no longer feed your cat at the same time? That can be enough to make her come into the apartment to protest when you’re not there.
conflicts with peers. Do you have multiple cats? Then it may be that your kitty is constantly competing with the other cats for important resources such as bedding, toys or food, or is being oppressed by another cat. Here you should watch your cats closely and ensure that there is enough food and places to lie down for everyone.
Clean the apartment very thoroughly
If your cat defecates next to the litter box, you should definitely clean it well and thoroughly.
Tip 5
Clean the floor and any items that have been soiled very thoroughly.
Thorough cleaning of the affected areas is absolutely necessary as an emergency measure. Because cat urine and feces stink a lot and secondly, cats like to go to the same place over and over again if it smells like urine or feces.
You can use various cleaning agents or home remedies for cleaning:
First of all, it is important that you really find all the urine and fecal stains. Smaller stains in particular often smell rather weak, so that we humans can no longer perceive the smell, but your cat can smell it very well.
You can use a black light lamp to find all the spots.
Use vinegar or an enzyme cleaner to clean. This removes the odors.
