Cat bathroom behavior

Question
My cat is urinating in the litter box, but is refusing to defecate in the litter box and goes right infront of the box on the floor.  It used to be every so often and I thought it was because the litter box was too dirty for her.  Now she refuses to defecate in the box at all.

Answer
Michael,

There could be a number of reasons the cat is doing that. A lot of times it is their way of telling you that they are upset at something. Is there a stray cat he can see out the window but can't get to? Is the litterbox in an open area. Some cats prefer privacy. Try moving the box to another area. Are you not playing with him or giving him as much attention as you used to? Also try a bigger litterbox with deeper litter. Or try some children's play sand one time. You can get it at Home Depot or other building supply store.

You may want to have the vet check him for a medical issue. If he has pain from something being wrong when he defecates in the litterbox he may go elsewhere because he would associate that pain with the litterbox. The cat may also have worms or intestinal parasites.

Here are some links that should be helpful also regarding improper elimination: (copy and paste, or type the whole link into your address bar)


http://www.geocities.com/heartland/pointe/9352/litterboxhelp.html

http://www.apbc.org.uk/article10.htm

http://cats.about.com/cs/behavioralissues/a/outsidebox_two.htm

I hope this information helps.
Tabbi