My cat is driving me round the bend. Whenever madam is a bit miffed, she poos in my bed or on the sofa. I should mention that her litter tray is cleaned regularly and she even has two!! But if I don't feed her quickly enough or give her enough (even though she has dry food available all the time), she "gets her own back" in our spots. Not where she usually sleeps, but it's not all the time. It has happened 4 times in 3 weeks now, and then sometimes nothing for months even though I haven't changed my routine at all.
Plus, we take really good care of her; I've been at home every day since lockdown so she isn't alone. We play with her every evening, she comes to us for cuddles, etc. You can tell she isn't unhappy!!
Honestly, I'm at my wits' end...
Thanks and have a lovely day.
Translated from French
The forum content is sometimes translated from another language, and posts may concern countries with different animal laws. Do your research before making any decisions.
Since the forum is translated by AI, the translations may contain errors.
And just to be clear, the litter tray is cleaned regularly and she has two of them...
Hi there,
Avoid putting the two litter trays right next to each other.
Avoid using hooded trays.
Scoop out the waste every morning AND evening.
Try using clumping litter; it allows you to remove the wee as well, as it forms a "clump".
Your cat is likely going on your bed or sofa from time to time because her tray is soiled with recent urine. If the second tray is too close to the first, she’ll still smell the urine regardless of which tray it is. This is why she’s going elsewhere.
Hi there,
I’d like to add to the great advice above that cats never do their business out of spite. It’s just not in their nature. How could they possibly know that going to the toilet—the most natural thing in the world—is an "offence" to their owner? What’s actually impressive and goes against their natural instincts is that they agree to use a litter tray at all just to keep us happy.
Occasional accidents are often a sign of stress. Has she always had these issues, or did they start after a change in circumstances (a new person, a new environment, or another pet)? Is she spayed? If not, that is very often the main cause of soiling in female cats.
Also, if it's mostly wee, you should suspect cystitis: the cat associates the pain with the litter tray and goes elsewhere, hoping it won't hurt as much. Cystitis needs a trip to the vet, as it’s very painful.
Your cat isn't "unhappy"; she’s just having occasional accidents, and you need to calmly look for the cause, because there is always a reason.
Hi there,
Having two litter trays is exactly the right number for one cat. It's important to keep them clean, as you’re already doing, and to make sure they are placed far away from their food bowl in a quiet spot (not in a busy area or thoroughfare). When you're cleaning up any accidents, avoid using bleach as the scent actually encourages cats to urinate in the same spot. It’s much better to use white vinegar or surgical spirit instead.
What kind of trays are you using? Are they open or hooded? Some cats prefer to do their business in private and feel more comfortable in a hooded tray. Others, however, much prefer an open one. I'd suggest trying one of each type; this might encourage your cat to use them properly.
Inappropriate soiling can often be linked to stress. From what you've said, it sounds like your cat is showing their frustration by making a mess when their food bowl is empty. Cats that are good at self-regulating—those who don’t bolt all their food at once—should really have food available at all times. This means always having some dry or wet food in their bowl so they can graze throughout the day.
It’s possible your cat is just a bit of a greedy eater and doesn't feel full easily. To help satisfy their appetite, I’d recommend adding some cooked courgettes (or green beans) to their meals. These are water-rich vegetables that bulk out their food and act as a natural way to keep them feeling full.
I hope these tips are helpful.
Happy Christmas,
Marion
