Very strange behaviour!

**maxx's mom** · 04-19-2002, 10:57 AM

I am just about to lose my mind! You may remember me from "pooping everywhere". Maxx was running around the house, pooping as she went. She hasn't done it for a couple of days now, although she hasn't pooped at all. This morning I watched in horror as she squatted on my favourite jacket and urinated, looking me in the eyes the whole time. She is acting normally (except for that), eating normally, and seems to be a happy cat. The vet is unable to find anything wrong with her. I put her in the bathroom with her litter box and food. I called my husband and home to ask him to check on her and make sure she was okay in there. She has pooped all over the bathroom, despite her litter box being right there! I have not changed her litter or her food. What am I doing wrong?

I give her plenty of love and attention, but obviously she is angry at me about something! Help!!!

**sirocco** · 04-19-2002, 11:29 AM

I'm sorry to hear that you're having a troubled time with Maxx! I don't know what could be wrong with her, for nothing seems to have changed in your household...
Is she spayed? If she's an indoor cat and not spayed, maybe she's stressed from the fact that she can't go outside... Well, just wondering

Please stand by here, there lots of people who may give you wise advise (unlike me

) and help you through this.

Nita

**yorkster** · 04-20-2002, 12:28 AM

Wow, that's puzzeling AND frustrating for you.

Have you moved recently? I don't think you have or you would have said, but it could as long ago as a couple months.

I remember when I moved in with my now hubby, one of my cats took quite awhile to adjust. "did his duties" on our bed 2 times, and it was a couple months into things.
Very soon after that, it settled down.

If everything checks out medically, maybe it's emotional........? My sister has a cat that is on anti-depressants, and it helps her alot.

GOOD LUCK!

**4 feline house** · 04-20-2002, 12:46 AM

When you say "pooping all over the house" and "pooping as she went" it sounds to me like you mean she's not even stopping, squatting, and covering up. I sounds like you mean it's just coming out of her as she goes about her business. Or, maybe I should say, as she goes about her day!

Is this what you mean?

I'm also concerned when you say she "pooped all over the bathroom" when it sounds like from your account that she was in there less than a day.

Cats generally don't eliminate more than once a day. This combined with the fever make me think she must be sick. When your vet says nothing's wrong, does he mean she's completely healthy and disease-free, or does he maybe mean there's nothing unusual and/or life-threatening wrong, but she does have this little tummy bug?

Your thoughts?

**Sara luvs her Tinky** · 04-20-2002, 12:49 AM

I know that I am going to be NO HELP AT ALL...... but I was wondering if maybe she didn't like her litter??? Maybe you should try a different brand

Hope things get better soon.

04-20-2002, 07:27 AM

I do not have any experience with this kind of behaviour , but what would I do in this case ?? I would try another vet and ask for a second opinion ...! Let him examine your cat all over , blood tests , and etc. . I the problem is emotional , you can always try to get some assistance for this ; but first you must be very sure that the problem is not medical !
I wish you all the best !! Let us know how it goes !!

**maxx's mom** · 04-20-2002, 05:05 PM

Maxx seems to be okay since her punishment of being in the bathroom, although it's only been a day. Yes, she was in there less than a day. As far as the pooping everywhere, she was not squatting or trying to cover it up at all...very strange! She hasn't done it since. I have not moved or changed her litter. The only thing I have changed was her kibble, which I have since changed back and may take a couple of days to work through her system. If she continues to exhibit strange behaviour over the weekend, I will be taking her to a different vet to get another opinion. She seems to be using her box now, and I hope this problem is now resolved.

**4 feline house** · 04-20-2002, 07:07 PM

maxx's mom, I would try a different vet if she resumes the behavior. Cats are extremely fastidious, and even a cat with behavior problems will at least attempt to squat and cover, because that is how they protected themselves when they were wild. She would not be doing this, even if she were mad, if she were well. In fact, to me it sounds like she may have a tummy bug such as coccidia or giardia.

I hope she's better, but if not, I hope a new vet can help her.

**AmberLee** · 04-21-2002, 01:36 AM

Originally posted by maxx's mom
... she was not squatting or trying to cover it up at all... changed ...her kibble...

Oops, this changes the situation I think. Could it be a food allergy? This is not normal. If your vet isn't helping, perhaps a second opinion is in order. Does not sound good. She's been in your home about 2 months and this just started in the last week or so? [Sorry, I may be mixing up situations...]

**mylunalove** · 04-22-2002, 10:16 PM

I think I'd call the vet, maybe it's a medical thing?? Good luck.......wish I had more to offer but I've never had to deal with that behavior!
Keep us posted on the out come!!

**toughCookie** · 04-23-2002, 03:37 AM

how is maxx? I hope you will post an update....cats don't do that unless there is something wrong, is it...how to say this without seeming gross, but...is the poop loose or firm? she must have some stomach problems or another medical problem to be doing that. I hope things get better for you!

**PostGhosty** · 04-23-2002, 06:52 AM

Well, if the new vet says he can't find anything either, I would say change the litter too. I have a lilac point siamese and let me tell ya, she rules the roost. I used to laugh at that commerical where the cat makes the lady go back and get the "good" litter but thats my little cleo to a 't'. She would 'poop' on the shaggy bathroom rug if she didn't aprove of her litter. She was telling me, she could have made it she wanted to, but she didn't like the environment ya know?

Also, if I try to feed cleo dry food she will walk up to where I'm sitting and yack it up right in front of me. weird eh? If she doesn't like the food she lets me know 'right away'.

But I still adore her, and have been known to drive all over town to find all the flavors she loves...I'm bad..I know...lol

Good luck with maxx

another thing, is the poo normal, or more loose then it should be?
have you changed his diet at all? Are there any new plants in the house he may be upset about?

**maxx's mom** · 04-24-2002, 11:25 PM

I think I may have found the problem with my extremely finicky kitty. (I hope). I had moved her litter box from the guest bathroom a few weeks ago because we had company for the weekend (I didn't want my guests stepping in kitty litter as they got out of the shower). I decided after that weekend to leave it where it was in the front hall. Well, apparently, she prefers her box in the bathroom, because I have moved it back and she now seems to be using her box again. I never even thought that she could be that picky!! What worried me was, even though her poop was firm and normal, she wasn't stopping to "dig" or cover up. I hope the situation is resolved, I will keep you all posted. Thank you so much for all of your suggestions!

**Tubby & Peanut's Mom** · 04-25-2002, 09:41 AM

Yes, Maxx's mom, that might have been the problem because kitties are like us and like to have a little privacy. The front hall seems like it might have been a rather busy place, whereas the guest bathroom would be much more quiet and private. This very well could have been the problem. good luck and keep us posted!

**Ila** · 04-25-2002, 02:35 PM

We had a cat Brandy she is past now but she pooed right in front of the TV almost daily. It was rather embarassing when company came home with you and there is poop. We went to the Vet nothing wrong. We used a spray she pooped somwhere else then. The Vets conclusion she was marking her territory and letting us know this was her house. We got thinking and friends of our brought their new puppy to the house I don't think Brandy liked the puppy. She never did stop going to the bathroom on the floor.