Multiple Cats

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

I have 2 cats that are ages 4 and 2, they get along, play, wrestle and love each other!!

I have never seen any signs of them NOT getting along and are in general very happy kitties.

However I have only ever had 1 litter box and I know that was WRONG of me BUT so far so good. I have never ever had any problems so thought it was ok just to have 1 box. I am faithful to clean it out EVERY DAY and was it out once a month. It is never very dirty.

About six months ago I noticed some small poops in the corner of the room where the litter box is (downstairs). It is from the older smaller cat, Abby. I thought it was bc the litter box was not full enough so I started keeping it nice and full and the problem went away.

Then this week I was cleaning up around the house and I was SHOCKED!!!! I saw more poops in the corner of the room where the litter box is AND in the next room too. I have no idea how old it is but it is not rock hard and I am so bothered by this. But all from Abby again.

I obviously need to get 2 or more boxes but I don't know where to put them. And is this the problem??? I don't know. The cat's both had physicals in Aug and were very healthy.

We want to keep the boxes downstairs but where? Can they be the same room but in different corners? Would this be ok? I don't believe bullying is an issue. Or should they be in different rooms anyway?

Thank you so much, I am so stressing about this and feel like the worst pet owner in the world.


ANSWER: Lol.. well Jennifer you are not the worst pet owner in the world because your cats  have decided to poop outside the box !!
Not to worry. I would suggest leaving the litter box downstairs and the easiest solution is to just add one or two more boxes and see what happens. The obvious spot(s) is to put the new box or boxes exactly where the accidents have been happening if that is not inconvenient. It is possible that your cats are going through some adjustments as even spayed and neutered cats reach a point at 2 years old where they question their "spot" in the hierarchy of the home. I think this will work itself out but in the meantime the older cat may feel that she is being challenged. Bullying is not always apparent in cats sometimes we hear and see nothing yet a second cat is very stressed and concerned about conditions in the home.
Clean the areas really well using an enzyme based cleanser and block off any other tempting corners or areas in the basement that might be used. Then put a box down next to the original one and one in another place a little ways away, perhaps even in the next room if you can't block it off from the cats. Put some of the 'mistakes' into the new boxes to show Abby what is expected of her.
Let me know how things go as if the problem worsens or doesn't correct I have some other ideas for you to try... but this is the easiest for now.
Teresa

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for your ideas! I was just wondering if it would be ok to put another box in the same room but in a different corner of the room. Or do they have to be in different rooms?

Also what happens if the cats start to use both boxes? Then I would have the same problem now. I mean I can't wantch them and make sure they use ONLY their box. So what can I do about this?

Thanks again!!

Answer
Hi Jennifer, yes, the extra litter boxes in the same room is fine but I would make sure they can't get into the second bedroom downstairs and use it. Keep it closed off.
It doesn't matter if the cats both use the new litter boxes. The main thing you are looking for here is "timing"
If a cat is busy in one box ... then the second cat can use one of the extra boxes. Sometimes it is just the look of the first cat that can intimidate the second cat to use a particular box at a particular time.... so having other options that can be used is what you are aiming for.
give it a try and see  how things go.....
Teresa