How to stop a cat from pooping in the wrong place

Cats are the most common pet. Fluffy, funny, soft, cute, and purring, they leave no one indifferent. But attitudes toward them change dramatically if a cat starts pooping in the wrong place.

Reasons why a cat goes to the toilet anywhere

Before you scold a cat, you should definitely understand the reasons for his actionsIt's no coincidence that your pet started defecating in the wrong place. Cats are naturally very clean and defecate only in designated areas.

The main reasons why a cat or kitten defecates in an inappropriate place:

• Any disease of the genitourinary or digestive system. Due to painful sensations during defecation, the cat may associate the litter box with pain, so it tries to avoid it at all costs.
• Worms. This cause is similar to the previous one. The cat may relieve itself with great effort or pain, which is also associated with the litter box.
• Incorrect diet. If your pet is fed an incorrect diet, constipation and diarrhea are common. This occurs due to a lack of vitamins or essential nutrients. To avoid this problem, consult a veterinarian who can adjust your pet's diet.
• Inappropriate trayMany cat owners don't even realize that their pet may simply dislike their litter box. Many long-haired cats get their fur caught in decorations and crevices in litter boxes, causing pain and discomfort.
• Litter box odor. A strong odor from a cat's litter box can be repulsive to pets due to their cleanliness. Therefore, leaving the litter box dirty or, conversely, cleaning it with scented products is not recommended. The best solution is to clean the litter box with regular brown laundry soap. Vinegar and soap solutions are also suitable for cleaning the litter box.
• Location of the trayIt might seem like it doesn't matter where the litter box is located, but cats have their own feng shui. Many cat owners keep the litter box in the bathroom, where few people go. But in some cases, it's necessary to place the litter box in the hallway or entryway—in short, in a room where people frequently use the space. The lack of privacy irritates the cat, which results in its reluctance to go to the bathroom in the designated area. If the litter box can only be placed in the entryway, try to create the illusion of security and solitude.
• Litter. Color, scent, and texture are factors to consider. Strong odors from clean cats can be irritating, fine litter can stick to fur and paws, and if not replaced promptly, chemicals can accumulate on the particles, irritating cats' skin.
• Age of the catA small kitten doesn't get used to the litter box right away; it takes time and patience. Forcing and punishing a kitten will create negative associations with the toilet.
• A stray cat in the house. If you decide to take a stray cat home, be prepared for them to mark their territory at first. They do this because they're used to defending their space among many other strays. A cat may go to the toilet without any problems, but will still occasionally mark the wall, carpet, or other furniture. Problems can also arise if you bring home a small stray kitten. They haven't yet learned to go to the toilet in one place, as there's sand everywhere outside, and it's easy to poop anywhere.

Pet Care Tips

Carrying out Basic rules for caring for a cat, you will minimize the chances that your pet will start to defecate in the wrong place.

List of the most important rules

How to stop a kitten or adult cat from peeing in inappropriate places?

• Place the litter box in a room with the least amount of traffic so that the cat feels calm and private.
• Change the litter in the tray as it gets dirty.
• If you need to change the brand of litter, do so gradually, mixing the old and new. First, add the new variety little by little, then in equal proportions, and then reduce the amount of the old litter and increase the amount of the new.
• Provide sufficient food and water. It's a good idea to always leave a bowl of water within easy reach of your cat.
• Give your pet deworming medication regularly.
• Rinse and dry the litter box thoroughly after changing the litter. Use products without strong fragrances.
• Choose the right litter box. Pay attention to what it's made of. Cheap plastic litter boxes have a persistent, unpleasant odor. Cats have a much stronger sense of smell than humans, so we might not even notice it.

Help from specialists and folk remedies

What if you didn't keep an eye on it or forgot to change the litter in the litter box, and your pet pooped? What should you do if your cat has already pooped in the wrong place? How can you stop it from peeing wherever it wants? First and foremost, you need to calm down. Under no circumstances should you yell, hit, or poke your nose in the mess. Doing any of these things will only frighten your cat, and future behavior is unknown.

Recommendations for action after the cat has defecated in the wrong place:

• Move your cat to a small room for a week. Move all of her belongings there, except for her food bowls. Let her out of the room for meals, and after she's finished, take her back and lock her in. Gradually, over the course of a week, let her out into other rooms.
• To ensure your cat feels comfortable and secure in your apartment and doesn't try to mark anything, follow a few simple steps. Allow your cat to sit on the sofa, armchair, or bed where you sit or sleep. Make closets, shelves, and other furniture that is significantly higher than the floor accessible. Cats feel more secure in such places. All felines love boxes. Bring a cardboard box and place it under a table or chair. This will become their favorite spot. Wipe your cat with a soft cloth. Then, use the same cloth to wipe down all surfaces in the house. This will prevent your cat from marking things that already have their scent on them.
• Soak a cloth in cat urine and place it in the litter box. This will help the kitten navigate in the future.
• If you caught the cat right there, drop some water on itCats don't like any kind of water treatment, and even a drop of water will be stressful for them.
• Praise your kitten after each litter box visit. In some cases, you can even play with it while it's in the litter box. Remember, it's easier to train it to use the right place than to wean it later.
• If your cat has chosen specific spots for its toilet, placing food and water bowls in these areas is a safe bet. Cats are clean creatures and won't defecate where they eat.
• To stop your cat from eliminating anywhere, you can tape off the area she's designated for the toilet with double-sided tape. When she sits down, her fur will stick to it slightly; it won't hurt, but it will definitely feel uncomfortable. Now she'll associate that spot with discomfort, and she'll be less likely to go there.
• Wash soiled areas with strong-smelling cleaners. You can also use mustard, oil, lemon peel, or anything else your pet dislikes.
• From the modern means offered by pet stores, you can use "Antisex", "Antigadin"These products are designed to calm cats during spring outbursts, but they can also help correct your pet's behavior.
• Temporarily place the litter box where the cat eliminated. Then move it to a location convenient for both the owner and the cat.
• It's very difficult to wean a cat off of flowers. The process will take a long time, because cats believe the ground is the best place to relieve themselves. Cats enjoy the process of digging in the soil, and they enjoy the feeling of the soil touching their paws. First, you'll need to move all the flowers out of your pet's reach. In larger pots, the soil should be covered, as larger pots are difficult to move without damaging the plant. This will last for a while. replace the litter in the tray onto the sand. Then, add a little litter to the sand tray daily. In the future, it's recommended to replace the old litter with new, sand-like consistency.
• If a cat is stressed, the owner is advised to pay more attention to the pet, pet it more often, and play with it. In some particularly severe cases, it may be necessary to seek veterinary help, who will prescribe sedatives. And under no circumstances should you get angry or scold the cat if it defecates in an inappropriate place. Yelling will only make the situation worse.
• If there are no visible reasons for your pet's rebellion, then it's worth take the cat to the vetA specialist will conduct an examination and take tests. Based on the data obtained, they will advise on the underlying medical conditions that may be causing the inability to use the toilet in the correct location and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
• As soon as you see your cat squatting and about to do its business, immediately grab it and take it to the litter box. This will require persistence and attention, but you'll eventually achieve your goal. You can also put coins in a tin can and shake it every time your cat starts to squat. The loud noise will startle it and make it forget it was planning to eliminate in an inappropriate place.

How to remove the smell of urine?

Veterinary stores now offer a wide range of urine odor removers. Some products combine several properties, eliminating both unpleasant odor and persistent, unwanted scents that cats find unpleasant.

Household productswhich can eliminate the smell of cat urine:

• lemon juice
• potassium permanganate
• vinegar
• hydrogen peroxide
• iodine
• alcohol