kitten pooping in front of door - HELP!

[lismrog]

I got a kitten about 2 weeks ago. He's litter box trained and very affectionate. He immediately was having a diarrhea problem, which i thought was related to his worming medicine. Since he was very active and playful, we decided to let him stay outside instead of confined to a box inside, so that he could play and run and get exercise. The weather has been nice, and we put a box outside for him to shelter in if it got chilly. But his diarrhea was so bad that he was pooping wherever he was at the time, all over everything.

His diarrhea is better, and we've removed all of his old stuff, but he keeps pooping on our porch, right in front of our front door. I tried putting a litter box outside with him, which he used. Then i filled the litter box with dirt, in an attempt to show him that we want him to go in the yard.

But then this morning, i get up and find a big steaming pile of poo in front of my front door again. I'm sure he's trying to tell me something, but as long as he keeps pooping on my front porch, communication is mostly just frustration from my end.

Any ideas?

I'm desperate.

If we can't fix this before week's end, i'm going to have to find a new home for him before my husband kills him.

[Karen]

Why not just keep him inside? How old is he? Has he been to the vet? Pooping in front of the door is definitely "claiming" his territory ... Where do you live? Just curious as winter's coming soon for many of us ...

An indoor-only kitty would be much safer.

[lismrog]

we live in southeast texas.

we would like for him to live inside but be potty trained to go outside. my husband is very sensitive to odors and does not tolerate the indoor litter box.

if pooping in front of the door is claiming his territory, how do i make him stop it?

[lvpets2002]

Hey I am close to Dallas Tx.. Are you around Waco or Tyler?? Now does this baby have a litter box?? You might put the litter box by the door & or the spot the baby keeps using.. This will hopfully train him to go into the box.. Now how old is this wittle baby?? And yes they are never too young to go to the Vets.. This baby may have a medical reason for all the pooping going on.. I would say worms.. Please reply ok.. Oh by the way Welcome to Pet Talk & enjoy all the talks & pics..

[Medusa]

I use a deodorized litter and I've had 8 cats (2 since have passed so I'm down to 6) and everyone tells me that there is absolutely no telltale odor in my home. I'm also very sensitive to odors and I wouldn't be able to tolerate the bad smell. To expect your cat to go outdoors to potty probably isn't going to work and it's much safer to keep him indoors not just because of inclement weather but because of cat fights, abusive people, cars, etc. Good luck.

[lismrog]

thanks for the replies. to answer some questions:

no, he hasn't been to the vet yet.

we estimate he's about 8-ish weeks old. he was found in the road by the person who gave him to me.

he knows how to use the box, and he does use it. but at night he still poops on the porch.

we live in san jacinto county, about 150 miles south of tyler.

as for the deodorized litter, what kind do you use? and also, what makes you think he's going to stick to the box when he's inside? the deodorized litter won't do any good if he goes on the floor.

he's pooping all over the porch, not only in front of the door, but often right in front of the door. . . two different doors, actually. it just makes me think he's acting out about something, but i don't know what.

he also doesn't seem to know to bathe himself, except right after i've bathed him. but maybe that's for another thread. =)

thanks so much for all the responses.

beth