Cat pooping on the patio

[FurkidsMom]

I adopted a new sweetie, Baby, last fall. She had been an indoor cat w/a litter box at her foster folks. I have 1 other cat and a dog and have a pet door for them into the back yard. The neighborhood is very quiet and I'm on the back of a cul-de-sac. Baby is 7 years old and a real snugglebug but also a bit of a diva. After I started letting her go outside, I just assumed (obviously wrongly) that nature or by example, she would start doing the dig-a-hole-poop-and-cover. Instead, I've discovered that she is pooping on the patio. I'm not sure quite what to do about this. Do I put a cat box out on the patio for her? Is there a way to get her to do what most cats do?

[lvpets2002]

:) Baby sounds so Adorable.. Pics please.. Yes just put her a litter box on the back porch & she will catch on fast..

[Karen]

Litter box on the back porch, then move it a little bit every few day until it is on the ground, leave it there for a few days, and she'll get the idea!

[FurkidsMom]

She was on her favorite chair so I put the blanket over her to see if she would like it....and she did. Thanks for the suggestions.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff1/MickeyMom_NW/Baby.jpg

[Medusa]

Do I put a cat box out on the patio for her?

Yes.

[lvpets2002]

:love: Awee your baby is so Adorable..

[Cataholic]

Aw. Poop on the patio sounds to me like she is marking her territory. Cats do not necessarily poop and cover. Poop right out in the open sounds to me that you have another visitor, and your Diva is letting him/her know to keep off. I don't think a litter box will make a difference.

[ginalovesfelines]

I think Cataholic is right. I think you have other backyard visitors making her mark her spot. A box likely wouldn't help. I would get a good cleaner like Nature's Miracle (http://purfectcatsupply.com/p-224-natures-miracle-stain-and-odor-remover.aspx) to clean the area of Baby's scent so that she can't even find it. It might be a lot of work at first, but she will get the idea that she isn't leaving a mark. Then maybe introduce a box outside if she still feels like she has nowhere else to go.