Cats Pooing in the house

[Eastender]

Hi I have 4 Cats, the youngest being about 7 and the eldest around 12. They are all litter trained., they either cry to go out, or sometimes scratch at the carpet in the middle of the night, if they need to go outside. Just lately the eldest one, has started find corners of the house to do her poo. So I bought a cat tray, but she is still doing it, in various places in the house, and I'm sorry to say, its driving me crazy. Can't get rid of the smell, and I dont know why she has started doing this. She will come down the stairs and cry as though she wants to go out but as soon as I get up, to let her out, will run upstairs under the bed, and then when no one is about, go to one of the usual corners and go to the toilet. She does not seem or look ill, is eating and drinking as normal. I thought perhaps she is getting on in life, but she can sure run up and down the stairs when she wants to. Once last week as soon as I went out for 10mins, when I got back she had gone to the toilet, it's as though she knows. Is she being lazy? whats happening to my cat?

[Rough Quest]

How long have you had the other cats? You say she is the eldest, maybe she is feeling threatened by the others as this form of soiling in the cat world is reaffirming her scent as she wants to be the dominant cat. To stop her toileting in these corners I suggest you place saucers of dry food on the spots she has already been, cats wont soil where there is food, or alternatively lay down scrunched up tin foil, the light reflections and noise if she treads on it should put her off doing anything. Another tip is scoop up her poos and place them into her litter tray, sounds disgusting but she should associate her poos with the tray and start using it again. Good luck.

Mel xx

[Bravo Girl]

The eldest, the one making the mess, is obviously being stressed out by something - cats don't like making a mess and prefer to obey the rules (once they know them!) Are any of the other cats doing anything different ? Maybe get eldest checked out by vet, though it really sounds as though it's something that's happening outside/beyond her, could be a stray tom cat in the garden/outside her territory.

[drgnrdr]

First get her checked by a vet. Then check out

http://www.catsinternational.org/

And click on "articles" and read the ones pertaining to your problem about litterbox and housesoiling. Many cats will not go to the box if something has scared them whilst in the act, and she may not be able to defend herself as well outside so it's dangerous to her. Please read the articles it will give some insight into your cat, you'll be glad you did.

Make sure it's her doing the deed, since you have 4 cats, I assumed you caught her "in the act" or it was only her in the house all the times you found the poo.You'll need to get an enzyme odor eliminator, these work by grabbing the odor and taking it away, you may have something called "simple solutions" and here in the USA you can get Nature's Miracle.

Good luck..