Litter box problems

Question
We have a 1 1/2 yr old female cat.  She has been spayed.  She has been with us since she was 5 weeks old.  We lived in a small house(ranch style-3 bedrooms) and moved to a much larger home(2 story w/ basement) June 28th.  Bella has always went in her litter even as a kitten.  When we moved we placed her litter in the den, then downstairs. We brought the litter back upstairs.  Since she is still defecating on the floor I moved the litter to the kitchen. She started defecating on the floor(several weeks after we moved).  We have changed her litter brand several times but since have gone back to her original.  She defecates approx. 2 feet next to her litter. Now, she will go in her litter half the time. I have called the vet and they have no suggestions for me.  She is utd on all shots, no worms.  I clean the carpet with special cleaner for feces and urine.  She is not left alone for large periods of time.  No new baby/child.  No food changes.  I cannot think of anything that has changed except the move.  I am at my limit of what to do with her.  She is our child and our LOVE but I cannot afford a stinky house.  I cannot let an animal ruin it.  I just do not know what to do.  The only room I can put her in would be the basement to confine her.  The basement is not finished and it is lonely down there.  Please help us.  She is declawed, so her being an outside cat is out of the question.

Answer
Hi Kristi,

I'd say it is one of two things: either she has an underlying medical condition or she is that stressed out from the move to a much larger home.  Cats feel safer in smaller spaces, so my best recommendation is to start with basics.  Keep her in a large bathroom with everything she needs: litter box, food/water, a bed, toys, and a scratch post.  See if she does the same in there.  If she continues to defecate outside of her box in the bathroom, I would err on the side of there being a medical cause.  

The vet should *not* have told you they have no ideas when describe improper elimination issues.  UTD on shots means nothing.  There are so many conditions that have improper elimination as a symptom, and she should have bloodwork and the proper panels run to make sure all of her levels are in the normal range.

If putting her in the bathroom has her using her litter box, then after about a week of consistent stools, introduce her to a large bedroom to confine her in.  Be sure when you first take her in there to feed her and spend some time with her so it is a positive experience.  Lay some blankets or quilts on the floor that you can wash if you're concerned about the carpet.  Very gradually introduce her to the rest of the house as she seems comfortable, although I wouldn't leave her in a certain room or area to acclimate for less than one week.  You may always need to use a baby gate to keep her confined to one floor if that's what makes her comfortable.  I do NOT recommend putting her in the basement, as that is going to be the scariest room of all.  Please let me know how this goes and keep me updated.

Best regards,

Holly Martin
Cat Care/Behavior Specialist
Texas A&M University
Animal Science B.S.