Question:
Hmm.. something no one has mentioned… Have you actually seen the kitten poop on the floor? I notice that you said she is DLH. A lot of times kittens have problems with their poop getting stuck to their fur – especially longhair kittens. It’s quite likely that the poop is getting stuck to her fur and then falling off elsewhere when it dries. A good solution to this problem is to take the kitten to a groomer and have them shave the rear area where stuff would get stuck. If you do this and then find no more poop on the floor I think you’ve found your problem.
Response:
> Hmm.. something no one has mentioned… Have you actually seen the > kitten poop on the floor? I notice that you said she is DLH. A lot of > times kittens have problems with their poop getting stuck to their fur > – especially longhair kittens. It’s quite likely that the poop is > getting stuck to her fur and then falling off elsewhere when it dries. > A good solution to this problem is to take the kitten to a groomer and > have them shave the rear area where stuff would get stuck. If you do > this and then find no more poop on the floor I think you’ve found your > problem.
Hmm, no, I haven’t actually caught her pooping on the floor. I would have guessed that the poops were a little too big to stick like that, but I’m certainly no expert. If moving the boxes closer together and letting her out to play more doesn’t work, I’ll give it a shot. Thanks, –Gilbert
Response:
> If there is no medical problem, one of the most common reasons cats go > to the bathroom outside the litter box is they’re unhappy about > something. > If paying more attention to the cat reduces the problem, you’ve > probably got something you can work with. I would guess the cat is > unhappy about being confined in the bathroom for long periods of time. > I’m sure that gets boring quickly. > Bill
Yeah, that’s another reason why I was hoping someone would tell me it was okay to let the kitten out without our direct supervision. At least then she could sleep in the same room with us. –Gilbert
Response:
If there is no medical problem, one of the most common reasons cats go to the bathroom outside the litter box is they’re unhappy about something. If paying more attention to the cat reduces the problem, you’ve probably got something you can work with. I would guess the cat is unhappy about being confined in the bathroom for long periods of time. I’m sure that gets boring quickly. Bill
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The only thing you can really do is lavish praise when the kitten > poops in the box. Negative reinforcement generally doesn’t work, so > trying to punish for going outside the box would be less effective. It > could also be a litter preference issue…what kind are you using now? > Since all I had was Tidy Cats scoopable litter, that’s what I put in the > little box while I went shopping for the big box. I tried the pine pellets > in the big box on the first day, but she completely ignored the stuff. > Then I bought another scoopable brand, I can’t recall which, but the box > said it was flushable. Once I put it in the big box, she started going in > the big box more than the little box. > Have you noticed if the pattern of going outside the box happens only > after having pooped inside the box already? Or is it totally random? > (ie, does it ever happen when the box is totally fresh?) If that does > turn out to be a problem, maybe a littermaid box would help. > I’m already checking her boxes at least three or four times a day (in the > morning, when I get up; around 1 pm, when I check back at my home; in the > evening when I get home from work; and usually right before I go to sleep). > For the last several days, I’ve been letting her out to play with my other > cat for a few short sessions (I read somewhere to start slow, and to keep > these introductory play times short), and I check again then, so it seems I > must check 6-8 times a day. > The only > other thing I’m wondering is, where is the food bowl relative to the > litter box? Some cats have issues with going to the bathroom so close > to where they eat. > Well, she IS in a bathroom, so there isn’t that much room in the first > place. I put the water bowl in the corner opposite the sink (elsewhere I > described that the litter boxes are next to the sink counter). Originally > the dry food bowl was next to the water, but when we found a poop under the > toilet tank, that bowl got moved next to the toilet (the little-used little > box was on the other side of the toilet), and there hasn’t been a poop > there since then. When we found a poop right by the door, I started > feeding her her wet food by the door, but she pooped again there later. > The only pattern I can even guess at, is that most of the floor pooping > seems to occur after a long time of no attention from us (e.g., after we’ve > been asleep all night, or out of the house for more than a couple of > hours). > After reading Cathy Friedmann’s message, I moved the little box next to the > big box last night. No poop last night, but this morning, right after my > morning visit, she pooped in the big box (I hope that’s not a message of > some kind), and I tried to praise her (I don’t think she understands > English yet! Don’t they teach kids anything these days?!?). Keeping my > fingers crossed. > Thanks for your input. > –Gilbert > -Jen > If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Are the two boxes right next to eachother? > No, the big one is in front of the sink, and the little one’s on the side, > between the toilet and the sink. I guess I’ll move them together. > Ids she pooping right next > to the litter box? > She did a couple of times. The first one was under a chair I put in the > bathroom (I feel funny about sitting on the toilet if I don’t have to go). > The second was under the toilet tank (next to the little box). The third > was by the door. The fourth was by the big litter box. The fifth was by > the door. I think she’s averaging a couple of little poops per day (I > wasn’t keeping real close track), so that’s five floor poops out of about > 18 total poops, and 2 out of 5 next to the litter box. > And, you could consider adding even a 3rd box, > next to the others, just in case she’s just extra-picky. > If we go that route, pretty soon the entire floor will be covered in litter > boxes! > Are the > boxes kept really clean – scooped 2 -3 times/day? > I scoop her boxes three times/day. The big cat only gets it once/day! > (Look at the silver > lining: be thankful she’s peeing in the boxes all of the time – that’s > a lot more difficult to clean up than poop!) > Personally, I’d wait a while before leaving her along w/ the older > cat. > Okay. I was hoping that letting her hang out with the cat would enable the > cat to somehow give her some guidance, and the two of them wouldn’t be > lonely during the day. > I was thinking maybe she just poops on the floor because she’s lonely or > doesn’t like being cooped up in the bathroom all day. I’m probably > imagining things, but I haven’t caught her in the act yet, so it seems like > maybe she’s pooping on the floor during the time we’re asleep or we’re out > for more than an hour (work and school), and she’s isolated in the > bathroom. > Thanks for your input, > –Gilbert
Try to get a sample to take with you to the vets. It’s entirely possible she has a little parasite. Karen
Response:
There’s no specific date where a kitten can be left alone with an adult cat in guaranteed safety. This is a judgment call on your part. Sorry I can’t offer any specific advice. You night try two full size litter boxes for the kitten, but I agree the arrangement you have would seem enough. As others have suggested, a trip to the vet to rule out a medical reason for going outside the litter box may be in order. Bill
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The general Rule of Thumb is # litter boxes = # cats + 1, so you > should have three (full size) litter boxes if you have two cats. One > reason is that a cat will sometimes suddenly prefer pooping in one box > and peeing in the other, refusing to do both in the same box. > The cat has two, the kitten has one big, one tiny. The kitten can’t get > out of the bathroom, and the cat can’t get in, so I was considering them as > independent systems. > Most cats do the kneading motion with their front legs all their > lives. It’s quite common and no cause for concern. > Sucking on her own fur is a bit unusual, but she’ll probably grow out > of it. > I wouldn’t leave a kitten alone with an adult cat. From your > description of their interaction, it’s probably just play. You only > need to be concerned if blood is drawn. Still, I would err on the > side of caution. > So how long should I wait? > Thanks, > –Gilbert > Bill >> Hi, > [yadda yadda yadda SNIP] >> The "litterbox problem" has manifested as an occasional pooping on >> the floor. > [yadda yadda SNIP] >>(I think >> she might have been separated too early from her mother; a couple of >> times I’ve cradled her like a baby, and she started to suck on her >> own fur and made "kneading" motions with her front paws.) >> How do we train her to poop only in the litterbox? > [yadda yadda SNIP] >> On a slightly different topic, when would it be safe to leave the >> kitten alone with the cat? > [yadda yadda about big cat chasing little kitten SNIP]
Response:
The only thing you can really do is lavish praise when the kitten poops in the box. Negative reinforcement generally doesn’t work, so trying to punish for going outside the box would be less effective. It could also be a litter preference issue…what kind are you using now? Have you noticed if the pattern of going outside the box happens only after having pooped inside the box already? Or is it totally random? (ie, does it ever happen when the box is totally fresh?) If that does turn out to be a problem, maybe a littermaid box would help. The only other thing I’m wondering is, where is the food bowl relative to the litter box? Some cats have issues with going to the bathroom so close to where they eat. -Jen If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?
Response:
> The only thing you can really do is lavish praise when the kitten > poops in the box. Negative reinforcement generally doesn’t work, so > trying to punish for going outside the box would be less effective. It > could also be a litter preference issue…what kind are you using now?
Since all I had was Tidy Cats scoopable litter, that’s what I put in the little box while I went shopping for the big box. I tried the pine pellets in the big box on the first day, but she completely ignored the stuff. Then I bought another scoopable brand, I can’t recall which, but the box said it was flushable. Once I put it in the big box, she started going in the big box more than the little box. > Have you noticed if the pattern of going outside the box happens only > after having pooped inside the box already? Or is it totally random? > (ie, does it ever happen when the box is totally fresh?) If that does > turn out to be a problem, maybe a littermaid box would help.
I’m already checking her boxes at least three or four times a day (in the morning, when I get up; around 1 pm, when I check back at my home; in the evening when I get home from work; and usually right before I go to sleep). For the last several days, I’ve been letting her out to play with my other cat for a few short sessions (I read somewhere to start slow, and to keep these introductory play times short), and I check again then, so it seems I must check 6-8 times a day. > The only > other thing I’m wondering is, where is the food bowl relative to the > litter box? Some cats have issues with going to the bathroom so close > to where they eat.
Well, she IS in a bathroom, so there isn’t that much room in the first place. I put the water bowl in the corner opposite the sink (elsewhere I described that the litter boxes are next to the sink counter). Originally the dry food bowl was next to the water, but when we found a poop under the toilet tank, that bowl got moved next to the toilet (the little-used little box was on the other side of the toilet), and there hasn’t been a poop there since then. When we found a poop right by the door, I started feeding her her wet food by the door, but she pooped again there later. The only pattern I can even guess at, is that most of the floor pooping seems to occur after a long time of no attention from us (e.g., after we’ve been asleep all night, or out of the house for more than a couple of hours). After reading Cathy Friedmann’s message, I moved the little box next to the big box last night. No poop last night, but this morning, right after my morning visit, she pooped in the big box (I hope that’s not a message of some kind), and I tried to praise her (I don’t think she understands English yet! Don’t they teach kids anything these days?!?). Keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for your input. –Gilbert – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> -Jen > If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?
Response:
>> Are the two boxes right next to eachother? > No, the big one is in front of the sink, and the little one’s on the > side, between the toilet and the sink. I guess I’ll move them > together.
I moved the little box next to the big box last night. No poop last night, but this morning, right after my morning visit, she pooped in the big box (I hope that’s not a message of some kind). Keeping my fingers crossed. –Gilbert
Response:
> Are the two boxes right next to eachother?
No, the big one is in front of the sink, and the little one’s on the side, between the toilet and the sink. I guess I’ll move them together. > Ids she pooping right next > to the litter box?
She did a couple of times. The first one was under a chair I put in the bathroom (I feel funny about sitting on the toilet if I don’t have to go). The second was under the toilet tank (next to the little box). The third was by the door. The fourth was by the big litter box. The fifth was by the door. I think she’s averaging a couple of little poops per day (I wasn’t keeping real close track), so that’s five floor poops out of about 18 total poops, and 2 out of 5 next to the litter box. > And, you could consider adding even a 3rd box, > next to the others, just in case she’s just extra-picky.
If we go that route, pretty soon the entire floor will be covered in litter boxes! > Are the > boxes kept really clean – scooped 2 -3 times/day?
I scoop her boxes three times/day. The big cat only gets it once/day! > (Look at the silver > lining: be thankful she’s peeing in the boxes all of the time – that’s > a lot more difficult to clean up than poop!) > Personally, I’d wait a while before leaving her along w/ the older > cat.
Okay. I was hoping that letting her hang out with the cat would enable the cat to somehow give her some guidance, and the two of them wouldn’t be lonely during the day. I was thinking maybe she just poops on the floor because she’s lonely or doesn’t like being cooped up in the bathroom all day. I’m probably imagining things, but I haven’t caught her in the act yet, so it seems like maybe she’s pooping on the floor during the time we’re asleep or we’re out for more than an hour (work and school), and she’s isolated in the bathroom. Thanks for your input, –Gilbert [a lot of my own rambling edited] – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The "litterbox problem" has manifested as an occasional pooping on > the floor. She also poops in the litterbox, and pees exclusively in > the litterbox. > How do we train her to poop only in the litterbox? > On a slightly different topic, when would it be safe to leave the > kitten alone with the cat?
Response:
> The general Rule of Thumb is # litter boxes = # cats + 1, so you > should have three (full size) litter boxes if you have two cats. One > reason is that a cat will sometimes suddenly prefer pooping in one box > and peeing in the other, refusing to do both in the same box.
The cat has two, the kitten has one big, one tiny. The kitten can’t get out of the bathroom, and the cat can’t get in, so I was considering them as independent systems. > Most cats do the kneading motion with their front legs all their > lives. It’s quite common and no cause for concern. > Sucking on her own fur is a bit unusual, but she’ll probably grow out > of it. > I wouldn’t leave a kitten alone with an adult cat. From your > description of their interaction, it’s probably just play. You only > need to be concerned if blood is drawn. Still, I would err on the > side of caution.
So how long should I wait? Thanks, –Gilbert > Bill > Hi,
[yadda yadda yadda SNIP] > The "litterbox problem" has manifested as an occasional pooping on > the floor.
[yadda yadda SNIP] >(I think > she might have been separated too early from her mother; a couple of > times I’ve cradled her like a baby, and she started to suck on her > own fur and made "kneading" motions with her front paws.) > How do we train her to poop only in the litterbox?
[yadda yadda SNIP] > On a slightly different topic, when would it be safe to leave the > kitten alone with the cat?
[yadda yadda about big cat chasing little kitten SNIP]
Response:
Hi, We adopted a spayed DLH kitten from the shelter on Oct 5, to (eventually) be a buddy for our first cat (an almost-2-year-old neutered Siamese mix, that we adopted in May). Her birthday was given as July 15, so she’s about three months old. At the time, the tech at the shelter advised us to separate the two for a week, and suggested that we keep the kitten in a bathroom. There was a comment that the kitten had occasional litterbox problems, but maybe could benefit from the guidance of an older cat. The "litterbox problem" has manifested as an occasional pooping on the floor. She also poops in the litterbox, and pees exclusively in the litterbox. (She actually has two litterboxes: one is a small cardboard box I set up for her to use while I went to the store to get a (bigger) plastic litterbox, but she doesn’t use the little box very much anymore.) (I think she might have been separated too early from her mother; a couple of times I’ve cradled her like a baby, and she started to suck on her own fur and made "kneading" motions with her front paws.) How do we train her to poop only in the litterbox? Incidentally, we have a vet appointment for a general check-up on Oct. 17, so the vet ought to be able to tell us if there’s something health-related then. On a slightly different topic, when would it be safe to leave the kitten alone with the cat? We’ve let the kitten out a few times for supervised interaction with the cat. After a while, the cat ends up chasing the kitten around the room, sometimes pinning her to the floor, and the kitten starts hissing and pawing mightily. There’s never been any blood, and I don’t think he has bitten or scratched her (a couple of times, he pinned her, then started licking her), but the kitten sounds quite upset, and then I separate them with an occasional squirt of water (more often, I just shake the spray bottle, and the cat gets the hint). I give the cat lots of treats while the kitten’s around, but it’s hard to distract him once he’s in chase mode. The kitten hasn’t reacted too badly yet; even after a pin, she still likes to jump around and explore the room. In fact, sometimes she instigates things by batting at the older cat. I’m just a bit concerned because the cat is so much bigger than the kitten, and I’m not sure what to do. Sorry to be so long-winded. Any advice is appreciated (although I’ll be reading insulting and condescending comments with a frown on my face). Thanks, –Gilbert
Response:
The general Rule of Thumb is # litter boxes = # cats + 1, so you should have three (full size) litter boxes if you have two cats. One reason is that a cat will sometimes suddenly prefer pooping in one box and peeing in the other, refusing to do both in the same box. Most cats do the kneading motion with their front legs all their lives. It’s quite common and no cause for concern. Sucking on her own fur is a bit unusual, but she’ll probably grow out of it. I wouldn’t leave a kitten alone with an adult cat. From your description of their interaction, it’s probably just play. You only need to be concerned if blood is drawn. Still, I would err on the side of caution. Bill
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, > We adopted a spayed DLH kitten from the shelter on Oct 5, to (eventually) > be a buddy for our first cat (an almost-2-year-old neutered Siamese mix, > that we adopted in May). Her birthday was given as July 15, so she’s about > three months old. At the time, the tech at the shelter advised us to > separate the two for a week, and suggested that we keep the kitten in a > bathroom. There was a comment that the kitten had occasional litterbox > problems, but maybe could benefit from the guidance of an older cat. > The "litterbox problem" has manifested as an occasional pooping on the > floor. She also poops in the litterbox, and pees exclusively in the > litterbox. (She actually has two litterboxes: one is a small cardboard box > I set up for her to use while I went to the store to get a (bigger) plastic > litterbox, but she doesn’t use the little box very much anymore.) (I think > she might have been separated too early from her mother; a couple of times > I’ve cradled her like a baby, and she started to suck on her own fur and > made "kneading" motions with her front paws.) > How do we train her to poop only in the litterbox? > Incidentally, we have a vet appointment for a general check-up on Oct. 17, > so the vet ought to be able to tell us if there’s something health-related > then. > On a slightly different topic, when would it be safe to leave the kitten > alone with the cat? We’ve let the kitten out a few times for supervised > interaction with the cat. After a while, the cat ends up chasing the > kitten around the room, sometimes pinning her to the floor, and the kitten > starts hissing and pawing mightily. There’s never been any blood, and I > don’t think he has bitten or scratched her (a couple of times, he pinned > her, then started licking her), but the kitten sounds quite upset, and then > I separate them with an occasional squirt of water (more often, I just > shake the spray bottle, and the cat gets the hint). I give the cat lots of > treats while the kitten’s around, but it’s hard to distract him once he’s > in chase mode. The kitten hasn’t reacted too badly yet; even after a pin, > she still likes to jump around and explore the room. In fact, sometimes > she instigates things by batting at the older cat. I’m just a bit > concerned because the cat is so much bigger than the kitten, and I’m not > sure what to do. > Sorry to be so long-winded. Any advice is appreciated (although I’ll be > reading insulting and condescending comments with a frown on my face). > Thanks, > –Gilbert
Response:
Are the two boxes right next to eachother? Ids she pooping right next to the litter box? And, you could consider adding even a 3rd box, next to the others, just in case she’s just extra-picky. Are the boxes kept really clean – scooped 2 -3 times/day? (Look at the silver lining: be thankful she’s peeing in the boxes all of the time – that’s a lot more difficult to clean up than poop!) Personally, I’d wait a while before leaving her along w/ the older cat. Cathy — "Staccato signals of constant information…" ("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, > We adopted a spayed DLH kitten from the shelter on Oct 5, to (eventually) > be a buddy for our first cat (an almost-2-year-old neutered Siamese mix, > that we adopted in May). Her birthday was given as July 15, so she’s about > three months old. At the time, the tech at the shelter advised us to > separate the two for a week, and suggested that we keep the kitten in a > bathroom. There was a comment that the kitten had occasional litterbox > problems, but maybe could benefit from the guidance of an older cat. > The "litterbox problem" has manifested as an occasional pooping on the > floor. She also poops in the litterbox, and pees exclusively in the > litterbox. (She actually has two litterboxes: one is a small cardboard box > I set up for her to use while I went to the store to get a (bigger) plastic > litterbox, but she doesn’t use the little box very much anymore.) (I think > she might have been separated too early from her mother; a couple of times > I’ve cradled her like a baby, and she started to suck on her own fur and > made "kneading" motions with her front paws.) > How do we train her to poop only in the litterbox? > Incidentally, we have a vet appointment for a general check-up on Oct. 17, > so the vet ought to be able to tell us if there’s something health-related > then. > On a slightly different topic, when would it be safe to leave the kitten > alone with the cat? We’ve let the kitten out a few times for supervised > interaction with the cat. After a while, the cat ends up chasing the > kitten around the room, sometimes pinning her to the floor, and the kitten > starts hissing and pawing mightily. There’s never been any blood, and I > don’t think he has bitten or scratched her (a couple of times, he pinned > her, then started licking her), but the kitten sounds quite upset, and then > I separate them with an occasional squirt of water (more often, I just > shake the spray bottle, and the cat gets the hint). I give the cat lots of > treats while the kitten’s around, but it’s hard to distract him once he’s > in chase mode. The kitten hasn’t reacted too badly yet; even after a pin, > she still likes to jump around and explore the room. In fact, sometimes > she instigates things by batting at the older cat. I’m just a bit > concerned because the cat is so much bigger than the kitten, and I’m not > sure what to do. > Sorry to be so long-winded. Any advice is appreciated (although I’ll be > reading insulting and condescending comments with a frown on my face). > Thanks, > –Gilbert
Response:
Hmm.. something no one has mentioned… Have you actually seen the kitten poop on the floor? I notice that you said she is DLH. A lot of times kittens have problems with their poop getting stuck to their fur – especially longhair kittens. It’s quite likely that the poop is getting stuck to her fur and then falling off elsewhere when it dries. A good solution to this problem is to take the kitten to a groomer and have them shave the rear area where stuff would get stuck. If you do this and then find no more poop on the floor I think you’ve found your problem.
Response:
> Hmm.. something no one has mentioned… Have you actually seen the > kitten poop on the floor? I notice that you said she is DLH. A lot of > times kittens have problems with their poop getting stuck to their fur > – especially longhair kittens. It’s quite likely that the poop is > getting stuck to her fur and then falling off elsewhere when it dries. > A good solution to this problem is to take the kitten to a groomer and > have them shave the rear area where stuff would get stuck. If you do > this and then find no more poop on the floor I think you’ve found your > problem.
Hmm, no, I haven’t actually caught her pooping on the floor. I would have guessed that the poops were a little too big to stick like that, but I’m certainly no expert. If moving the boxes closer together and letting her out to play more doesn’t work, I’ll give it a shot. Thanks, –Gilbert
Response:
> If there is no medical problem, one of the most common reasons cats go > to the bathroom outside the litter box is they’re unhappy about > something. > If paying more attention to the cat reduces the problem, you’ve > probably got something you can work with. I would guess the cat is > unhappy about being confined in the bathroom for long periods of time. > I’m sure that gets boring quickly. > Bill
Yeah, that’s another reason why I was hoping someone would tell me it was okay to let the kitten out without our direct supervision. At least then she could sleep in the same room with us. –Gilbert
Response:
If there is no medical problem, one of the most common reasons cats go to the bathroom outside the litter box is they’re unhappy about something. If paying more attention to the cat reduces the problem, you’ve probably got something you can work with. I would guess the cat is unhappy about being confined in the bathroom for long periods of time. I’m sure that gets boring quickly. Bill
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The only thing you can really do is lavish praise when the kitten > poops in the box. Negative reinforcement generally doesn’t work, so > trying to punish for going outside the box would be less effective. It > could also be a litter preference issue…what kind are you using now? > Since all I had was Tidy Cats scoopable litter, that’s what I put in the > little box while I went shopping for the big box. I tried the pine pellets > in the big box on the first day, but she completely ignored the stuff. > Then I bought another scoopable brand, I can’t recall which, but the box > said it was flushable. Once I put it in the big box, she started going in > the big box more than the little box. > Have you noticed if the pattern of going outside the box happens only > after having pooped inside the box already? Or is it totally random? > (ie, does it ever happen when the box is totally fresh?) If that does > turn out to be a problem, maybe a littermaid box would help. > I’m already checking her boxes at least three or four times a day (in the > morning, when I get up; around 1 pm, when I check back at my home; in the > evening when I get home from work; and usually right before I go to sleep). > For the last several days, I’ve been letting her out to play with my other > cat for a few short sessions (I read somewhere to start slow, and to keep > these introductory play times short), and I check again then, so it seems I > must check 6-8 times a day. > The only > other thing I’m wondering is, where is the food bowl relative to the > litter box? Some cats have issues with going to the bathroom so close > to where they eat. > Well, she IS in a bathroom, so there isn’t that much room in the first > place. I put the water bowl in the corner opposite the sink (elsewhere I > described that the litter boxes are next to the sink counter). Originally > the dry food bowl was next to the water, but when we found a poop under the > toilet tank, that bowl got moved next to the toilet (the little-used little > box was on the other side of the toilet), and there hasn’t been a poop > there since then. When we found a poop right by the door, I started > feeding her her wet food by the door, but she pooped again there later. > The only pattern I can even guess at, is that most of the floor pooping > seems to occur after a long time of no attention from us (e.g., after we’ve > been asleep all night, or out of the house for more than a couple of > hours). > After reading Cathy Friedmann’s message, I moved the little box next to the > big box last night. No poop last night, but this morning, right after my > morning visit, she pooped in the big box (I hope that’s not a message of > some kind), and I tried to praise her (I don’t think she understands > English yet! Don’t they teach kids anything these days?!?). Keeping my > fingers crossed. > Thanks for your input. > –Gilbert > -Jen > If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Are the two boxes right next to eachother? > No, the big one is in front of the sink, and the little one’s on the side, > between the toilet and the sink. I guess I’ll move them together. > Ids she pooping right next > to the litter box? > She did a couple of times. The first one was under a chair I put in the > bathroom (I feel funny about sitting on the toilet if I don’t have to go). > The second was under the toilet tank (next to the little box). The third > was by the door. The fourth was by the big litter box. The fifth was by > the door. I think she’s averaging a couple of little poops per day (I > wasn’t keeping real close track), so that’s five floor poops out of about > 18 total poops, and 2 out of 5 next to the litter box. > And, you could consider adding even a 3rd box, > next to the others, just in case she’s just extra-picky. > If we go that route, pretty soon the entire floor will be covered in litter > boxes! > Are the > boxes kept really clean – scooped 2 -3 times/day? > I scoop her boxes three times/day. The big cat only gets it once/day! > (Look at the silver > lining: be thankful she’s peeing in the boxes all of the time – that’s > a lot more difficult to clean up than poop!) > Personally, I’d wait a while before leaving her along w/ the older > cat. > Okay. I was hoping that letting her hang out with the cat would enable the > cat to somehow give her some guidance, and the two of them wouldn’t be > lonely during the day. > I was thinking maybe she just poops on the floor because she’s lonely or > doesn’t like being cooped up in the bathroom all day. I’m probably > imagining things, but I haven’t caught her in the act yet, so it seems like > maybe she’s pooping on the floor during the time we’re asleep or we’re out > for more than an hour (work and school), and she’s isolated in the > bathroom. > Thanks for your input, > –Gilbert
Try to get a sample to take with you to the vets. It’s entirely possible she has a little parasite. Karen
Response:
There’s no specific date where a kitten can be left alone with an adult cat in guaranteed safety. This is a judgment call on your part. Sorry I can’t offer any specific advice. You night try two full size litter boxes for the kitten, but I agree the arrangement you have would seem enough. As others have suggested, a trip to the vet to rule out a medical reason for going outside the litter box may be in order. Bill
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The general Rule of Thumb is # litter boxes = # cats + 1, so you > should have three (full size) litter boxes if you have two cats. One > reason is that a cat will sometimes suddenly prefer pooping in one box > and peeing in the other, refusing to do both in the same box. > The cat has two, the kitten has one big, one tiny. The kitten can’t get > out of the bathroom, and the cat can’t get in, so I was considering them as > independent systems. > Most cats do the kneading motion with their front legs all their > lives. It’s quite common and no cause for concern. > Sucking on her own fur is a bit unusual, but she’ll probably grow out > of it. > I wouldn’t leave a kitten alone with an adult cat. From your > description of their interaction, it’s probably just play. You only > need to be concerned if blood is drawn. Still, I would err on the > side of caution. > So how long should I wait? > Thanks, > –Gilbert > Bill >> Hi, > [yadda yadda yadda SNIP] >> The "litterbox problem" has manifested as an occasional pooping on >> the floor. > [yadda yadda SNIP] >>(I think >> she might have been separated too early from her mother; a couple of >> times I’ve cradled her like a baby, and she started to suck on her >> own fur and made "kneading" motions with her front paws.) >> How do we train her to poop only in the litterbox? > [yadda yadda SNIP] >> On a slightly different topic, when would it be safe to leave the >> kitten alone with the cat? > [yadda yadda about big cat chasing little kitten SNIP]
Response:
The only thing you can really do is lavish praise when the kitten poops in the box. Negative reinforcement generally doesn’t work, so trying to punish for going outside the box would be less effective. It could also be a litter preference issue…what kind are you using now? Have you noticed if the pattern of going outside the box happens only after having pooped inside the box already? Or is it totally random? (ie, does it ever happen when the box is totally fresh?) If that does turn out to be a problem, maybe a littermaid box would help. The only other thing I’m wondering is, where is the food bowl relative to the litter box? Some cats have issues with going to the bathroom so close to where they eat. -Jen If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?
Response:
> The only thing you can really do is lavish praise when the kitten > poops in the box. Negative reinforcement generally doesn’t work, so > trying to punish for going outside the box would be less effective. It > could also be a litter preference issue…what kind are you using now?
Since all I had was Tidy Cats scoopable litter, that’s what I put in the little box while I went shopping for the big box. I tried the pine pellets in the big box on the first day, but she completely ignored the stuff. Then I bought another scoopable brand, I can’t recall which, but the box said it was flushable. Once I put it in the big box, she started going in the big box more than the little box. > Have you noticed if the pattern of going outside the box happens only > after having pooped inside the box already? Or is it totally random? > (ie, does it ever happen when the box is totally fresh?) If that does > turn out to be a problem, maybe a littermaid box would help.
I’m already checking her boxes at least three or four times a day (in the morning, when I get up; around 1 pm, when I check back at my home; in the evening when I get home from work; and usually right before I go to sleep). For the last several days, I’ve been letting her out to play with my other cat for a few short sessions (I read somewhere to start slow, and to keep these introductory play times short), and I check again then, so it seems I must check 6-8 times a day. > The only > other thing I’m wondering is, where is the food bowl relative to the > litter box? Some cats have issues with going to the bathroom so close > to where they eat.
Well, she IS in a bathroom, so there isn’t that much room in the first place. I put the water bowl in the corner opposite the sink (elsewhere I described that the litter boxes are next to the sink counter). Originally the dry food bowl was next to the water, but when we found a poop under the toilet tank, that bowl got moved next to the toilet (the little-used little box was on the other side of the toilet), and there hasn’t been a poop there since then. When we found a poop right by the door, I started feeding her her wet food by the door, but she pooped again there later. The only pattern I can even guess at, is that most of the floor pooping seems to occur after a long time of no attention from us (e.g., after we’ve been asleep all night, or out of the house for more than a couple of hours). After reading Cathy Friedmann’s message, I moved the little box next to the big box last night. No poop last night, but this morning, right after my morning visit, she pooped in the big box (I hope that’s not a message of some kind), and I tried to praise her (I don’t think she understands English yet! Don’t they teach kids anything these days?!?). Keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for your input. –Gilbert – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> -Jen > If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?
Response:
>> Are the two boxes right next to eachother? > No, the big one is in front of the sink, and the little one’s on the > side, between the toilet and the sink. I guess I’ll move them > together.
I moved the little box next to the big box last night. No poop last night, but this morning, right after my morning visit, she pooped in the big box (I hope that’s not a message of some kind). Keeping my fingers crossed. –Gilbert
Response:
> Are the two boxes right next to eachother?
No, the big one is in front of the sink, and the little one’s on the side, between the toilet and the sink. I guess I’ll move them together. > Ids she pooping right next > to the litter box?
She did a couple of times. The first one was under a chair I put in the bathroom (I feel funny about sitting on the toilet if I don’t have to go). The second was under the toilet tank (next to the little box). The third was by the door. The fourth was by the big litter box. The fifth was by the door. I think she’s averaging a couple of little poops per day (I wasn’t keeping real close track), so that’s five floor poops out of about 18 total poops, and 2 out of 5 next to the litter box. > And, you could consider adding even a 3rd box, > next to the others, just in case she’s just extra-picky.
If we go that route, pretty soon the entire floor will be covered in litter boxes! > Are the > boxes kept really clean – scooped 2 -3 times/day?
I scoop her boxes three times/day. The big cat only gets it once/day! > (Look at the silver > lining: be thankful she’s peeing in the boxes all of the time – that’s > a lot more difficult to clean up than poop!) > Personally, I’d wait a while before leaving her along w/ the older > cat.
Okay. I was hoping that letting her hang out with the cat would enable the cat to somehow give her some guidance, and the two of them wouldn’t be lonely during the day. I was thinking maybe she just poops on the floor because she’s lonely or doesn’t like being cooped up in the bathroom all day. I’m probably imagining things, but I haven’t caught her in the act yet, so it seems like maybe she’s pooping on the floor during the time we’re asleep or we’re out for more than an hour (work and school), and she’s isolated in the bathroom. Thanks for your input, –Gilbert [a lot of my own rambling edited] – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The "litterbox problem" has manifested as an occasional pooping on > the floor. She also poops in the litterbox, and pees exclusively in > the litterbox. > How do we train her to poop only in the litterbox? > On a slightly different topic, when would it be safe to leave the > kitten alone with the cat?
Response:
> The general Rule of Thumb is # litter boxes = # cats + 1, so you > should have three (full size) litter boxes if you have two cats. One > reason is that a cat will sometimes suddenly prefer pooping in one box > and peeing in the other, refusing to do both in the same box.
The cat has two, the kitten has one big, one tiny. The kitten can’t get out of the bathroom, and the cat can’t get in, so I was considering them as independent systems. > Most cats do the kneading motion with their front legs all their > lives. It’s quite common and no cause for concern. > Sucking on her own fur is a bit unusual, but she’ll probably grow out > of it. > I wouldn’t leave a kitten alone with an adult cat. From your > description of their interaction, it’s probably just play. You only > need to be concerned if blood is drawn. Still, I would err on the > side of caution.
So how long should I wait? Thanks, –Gilbert > Bill > Hi,
[yadda yadda yadda SNIP] > The "litterbox problem" has manifested as an occasional pooping on > the floor.
[yadda yadda SNIP] >(I think > she might have been separated too early from her mother; a couple of > times I’ve cradled her like a baby, and she started to suck on her > own fur and made "kneading" motions with her front paws.) > How do we train her to poop only in the litterbox?
[yadda yadda SNIP] > On a slightly different topic, when would it be safe to leave the > kitten alone with the cat?
[yadda yadda about big cat chasing little kitten SNIP]
Response:
Hi, We adopted a spayed DLH kitten from the shelter on Oct 5, to (eventually) be a buddy for our first cat (an almost-2-year-old neutered Siamese mix, that we adopted in May). Her birthday was given as July 15, so she’s about three months old. At the time, the tech at the shelter advised us to separate the two for a week, and suggested that we keep the kitten in a bathroom. There was a comment that the kitten had occasional litterbox problems, but maybe could benefit from the guidance of an older cat. The "litterbox problem" has manifested as an occasional pooping on the floor. She also poops in the litterbox, and pees exclusively in the litterbox. (She actually has two litterboxes: one is a small cardboard box I set up for her to use while I went to the store to get a (bigger) plastic litterbox, but she doesn’t use the little box very much anymore.) (I think she might have been separated too early from her mother; a couple of times I’ve cradled her like a baby, and she started to suck on her own fur and made "kneading" motions with her front paws.) How do we train her to poop only in the litterbox? Incidentally, we have a vet appointment for a general check-up on Oct. 17, so the vet ought to be able to tell us if there’s something health-related then. On a slightly different topic, when would it be safe to leave the kitten alone with the cat? We’ve let the kitten out a few times for supervised interaction with the cat. After a while, the cat ends up chasing the kitten around the room, sometimes pinning her to the floor, and the kitten starts hissing and pawing mightily. There’s never been any blood, and I don’t think he has bitten or scratched her (a couple of times, he pinned her, then started licking her), but the kitten sounds quite upset, and then I separate them with an occasional squirt of water (more often, I just shake the spray bottle, and the cat gets the hint). I give the cat lots of treats while the kitten’s around, but it’s hard to distract him once he’s in chase mode. The kitten hasn’t reacted too badly yet; even after a pin, she still likes to jump around and explore the room. In fact, sometimes she instigates things by batting at the older cat. I’m just a bit concerned because the cat is so much bigger than the kitten, and I’m not sure what to do. Sorry to be so long-winded. Any advice is appreciated (although I’ll be reading insulting and condescending comments with a frown on my face). Thanks, –Gilbert
Response:
The general Rule of Thumb is # litter boxes = # cats + 1, so you should have three (full size) litter boxes if you have two cats. One reason is that a cat will sometimes suddenly prefer pooping in one box and peeing in the other, refusing to do both in the same box. Most cats do the kneading motion with their front legs all their lives. It’s quite common and no cause for concern. Sucking on her own fur is a bit unusual, but she’ll probably grow out of it. I wouldn’t leave a kitten alone with an adult cat. From your description of their interaction, it’s probably just play. You only need to be concerned if blood is drawn. Still, I would err on the side of caution. Bill
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, > We adopted a spayed DLH kitten from the shelter on Oct 5, to (eventually) > be a buddy for our first cat (an almost-2-year-old neutered Siamese mix, > that we adopted in May). Her birthday was given as July 15, so she’s about > three months old. At the time, the tech at the shelter advised us to > separate the two for a week, and suggested that we keep the kitten in a > bathroom. There was a comment that the kitten had occasional litterbox > problems, but maybe could benefit from the guidance of an older cat. > The "litterbox problem" has manifested as an occasional pooping on the > floor. She also poops in the litterbox, and pees exclusively in the > litterbox. (She actually has two litterboxes: one is a small cardboard box > I set up for her to use while I went to the store to get a (bigger) plastic > litterbox, but she doesn’t use the little box very much anymore.) (I think > she might have been separated too early from her mother; a couple of times > I’ve cradled her like a baby, and she started to suck on her own fur and > made "kneading" motions with her front paws.) > How do we train her to poop only in the litterbox? > Incidentally, we have a vet appointment for a general check-up on Oct. 17, > so the vet ought to be able to tell us if there’s something health-related > then. > On a slightly different topic, when would it be safe to leave the kitten > alone with the cat? We’ve let the kitten out a few times for supervised > interaction with the cat. After a while, the cat ends up chasing the > kitten around the room, sometimes pinning her to the floor, and the kitten > starts hissing and pawing mightily. There’s never been any blood, and I > don’t think he has bitten or scratched her (a couple of times, he pinned > her, then started licking her), but the kitten sounds quite upset, and then > I separate them with an occasional squirt of water (more often, I just > shake the spray bottle, and the cat gets the hint). I give the cat lots of > treats while the kitten’s around, but it’s hard to distract him once he’s > in chase mode. The kitten hasn’t reacted too badly yet; even after a pin, > she still likes to jump around and explore the room. In fact, sometimes > she instigates things by batting at the older cat. I’m just a bit > concerned because the cat is so much bigger than the kitten, and I’m not > sure what to do. > Sorry to be so long-winded. Any advice is appreciated (although I’ll be > reading insulting and condescending comments with a frown on my face). > Thanks, > –Gilbert
Response:
Are the two boxes right next to eachother? Ids she pooping right next to the litter box? And, you could consider adding even a 3rd box, next to the others, just in case she’s just extra-picky. Are the boxes kept really clean – scooped 2 -3 times/day? (Look at the silver lining: be thankful she’s peeing in the boxes all of the time – that’s a lot more difficult to clean up than poop!) Personally, I’d wait a while before leaving her along w/ the older cat. Cathy — "Staccato signals of constant information…" ("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, > We adopted a spayed DLH kitten from the shelter on Oct 5, to (eventually) > be a buddy for our first cat (an almost-2-year-old neutered Siamese mix, > that we adopted in May). Her birthday was given as July 15, so she’s about > three months old. At the time, the tech at the shelter advised us to > separate the two for a week, and suggested that we keep the kitten in a > bathroom. There was a comment that the kitten had occasional litterbox > problems, but maybe could benefit from the guidance of an older cat. > The "litterbox problem" has manifested as an occasional pooping on the > floor. She also poops in the litterbox, and pees exclusively in the > litterbox. (She actually has two litterboxes: one is a small cardboard box > I set up for her to use while I went to the store to get a (bigger) plastic > litterbox, but she doesn’t use the little box very much anymore.) (I think > she might have been separated too early from her mother; a couple of times > I’ve cradled her like a baby, and she started to suck on her own fur and > made "kneading" motions with her front paws.) > How do we train her to poop only in the litterbox? > Incidentally, we have a vet appointment for a general check-up on Oct. 17, > so the vet ought to be able to tell us if there’s something health-related > then. > On a slightly different topic, when would it be safe to leave the kitten > alone with the cat? We’ve let the kitten out a few times for supervised > interaction with the cat. After a while, the cat ends up chasing the > kitten around the room, sometimes pinning her to the floor, and the kitten > starts hissing and pawing mightily. There’s never been any blood, and I > don’t think he has bitten or scratched her (a couple of times, he pinned > her, then started licking her), but the kitten sounds quite upset, and then > I separate them with an occasional squirt of water (more often, I just > shake the spray bottle, and the cat gets the hint). I give the cat lots of > treats while the kitten’s around, but it’s hard to distract him once he’s > in chase mode. The kitten hasn’t reacted too badly yet; even after a pin, > she still likes to jump around and explore the room. In fact, sometimes > she instigates things by batting at the older cat. I’m just a bit > concerned because the cat is so much bigger than the kitten, and I’m not > sure what to do. > Sorry to be so long-winded. Any advice is appreciated (although I’ll be > reading insulting and condescending comments with a frown on my face). > Thanks, > –Gilbert
Response:
Hmm.. something no one has mentioned… Have you actually seen the kitten poop on the floor? I notice that you said she is DLH. A lot of times kittens have problems with their poop getting stuck to their fur – especially longhair kittens. It’s quite likely that the poop is getting stuck to her fur and then falling off elsewhere when it dries. A good solution to this problem is to take the kitten to a groomer and have them shave the rear area where stuff would get stuck. If you do this and then find no more poop on the floor I think you’ve found your problem.
Response:
> Hmm.. something no one has mentioned… Have you actually seen the > kitten poop on the floor? I notice that you said she is DLH. A lot of > times kittens have problems with their poop getting stuck to their fur > – especially longhair kittens. It’s quite likely that the poop is > getting stuck to her fur and then falling off elsewhere when it dries. > A good solution to this problem is to take the kitten to a groomer and > have them shave the rear area where stuff would get stuck. If you do > this and then find no more poop on the floor I think you’ve found your > problem.
Hmm, no, I haven’t actually caught her pooping on the floor. I would have guessed that the poops were a little too big to stick like that, but I’m certainly no expert. If moving the boxes closer together and letting her out to play more doesn’t work, I’ll give it a shot. Thanks, –Gilbert
Response:
> If there is no medical problem, one of the most common reasons cats go > to the bathroom outside the litter box is they’re unhappy about > something. > If paying more attention to the cat reduces the problem, you’ve > probably got something you can work with. I would guess the cat is > unhappy about being confined in the bathroom for long periods of time. > I’m sure that gets boring quickly. > Bill
Yeah, that’s another reason why I was hoping someone would tell me it was okay to let the kitten out without our direct supervision. At least then she could sleep in the same room with us. –Gilbert
Response:
If there is no medical problem, one of the most common reasons cats go to the bathroom outside the litter box is they’re unhappy about something. If paying more attention to the cat reduces the problem, you’ve probably got something you can work with. I would guess the cat is unhappy about being confined in the bathroom for long periods of time. I’m sure that gets boring quickly. Bill
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The only thing you can really do is lavish praise when the kitten > poops in the box. Negative reinforcement generally doesn’t work, so > trying to punish for going outside the box would be less effective. It > could also be a litter preference issue…what kind are you using now? > Since all I had was Tidy Cats scoopable litter, that’s what I put in the > little box while I went shopping for the big box. I tried the pine pellets > in the big box on the first day, but she completely ignored the stuff. > Then I bought another scoopable brand, I can’t recall which, but the box > said it was flushable. Once I put it in the big box, she started going in > the big box more than the little box. > Have you noticed if the pattern of going outside the box happens only > after having pooped inside the box already? Or is it totally random? > (ie, does it ever happen when the box is totally fresh?) If that does > turn out to be a problem, maybe a littermaid box would help. > I’m already checking her boxes at least three or four times a day (in the > morning, when I get up; around 1 pm, when I check back at my home; in the > evening when I get home from work; and usually right before I go to sleep). > For the last several days, I’ve been letting her out to play with my other > cat for a few short sessions (I read somewhere to start slow, and to keep > these introductory play times short), and I check again then, so it seems I > must check 6-8 times a day. > The only > other thing I’m wondering is, where is the food bowl relative to the > litter box? Some cats have issues with going to the bathroom so close > to where they eat. > Well, she IS in a bathroom, so there isn’t that much room in the first > place. I put the water bowl in the corner opposite the sink (elsewhere I > described that the litter boxes are next to the sink counter). Originally > the dry food bowl was next to the water, but when we found a poop under the > toilet tank, that bowl got moved next to the toilet (the little-used little > box was on the other side of the toilet), and there hasn’t been a poop > there since then. When we found a poop right by the door, I started > feeding her her wet food by the door, but she pooped again there later. > The only pattern I can even guess at, is that most of the floor pooping > seems to occur after a long time of no attention from us (e.g., after we’ve > been asleep all night, or out of the house for more than a couple of > hours). > After reading Cathy Friedmann’s message, I moved the little box next to the > big box last night. No poop last night, but this morning, right after my > morning visit, she pooped in the big box (I hope that’s not a message of > some kind), and I tried to praise her (I don’t think she understands > English yet! Don’t they teach kids anything these days?!?). Keeping my > fingers crossed. > Thanks for your input. > –Gilbert > -Jen > If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Are the two boxes right next to eachother? > No, the big one is in front of the sink, and the little one’s on the side, > between the toilet and the sink. I guess I’ll move them together. > Ids she pooping right next > to the litter box? > She did a couple of times. The first one was under a chair I put in the > bathroom (I feel funny about sitting on the toilet if I don’t have to go). > The second was under the toilet tank (next to the little box). The third > was by the door. The fourth was by the big litter box. The fifth was by > the door. I think she’s averaging a couple of little poops per day (I > wasn’t keeping real close track), so that’s five floor poops out of about > 18 total poops, and 2 out of 5 next to the litter box. > And, you could consider adding even a 3rd box, > next to the others, just in case she’s just extra-picky. > If we go that route, pretty soon the entire floor will be covered in litter > boxes! > Are the > boxes kept really clean – scooped 2 -3 times/day? > I scoop her boxes three times/day. The big cat only gets it once/day! > (Look at the silver > lining: be thankful she’s peeing in the boxes all of the time – that’s > a lot more difficult to clean up than poop!) > Personally, I’d wait a while before leaving her along w/ the older > cat. > Okay. I was hoping that letting her hang out with the cat would enable the > cat to somehow give her some guidance, and the two of them wouldn’t be > lonely during the day. > I was thinking maybe she just poops on the floor because she’s lonely or > doesn’t like being cooped up in the bathroom all day. I’m probably > imagining things, but I haven’t caught her in the act yet, so it seems like > maybe she’s pooping on the floor during the time we’re asleep or we’re out > for more than an hour (work and school), and she’s isolated in the > bathroom. > Thanks for your input, > –Gilbert
Try to get a sample to take with you to the vets. It’s entirely possible she has a little parasite. Karen
Response:
There’s no specific date where a kitten can be left alone with an adult cat in guaranteed safety. This is a judgment call on your part. Sorry I can’t offer any specific advice. You night try two full size litter boxes for the kitten, but I agree the arrangement you have would seem enough. As others have suggested, a trip to the vet to rule out a medical reason for going outside the litter box may be in order. Bill
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The general Rule of Thumb is # litter boxes = # cats + 1, so you > should have three (full size) litter boxes if you have two cats. One > reason is that a cat will sometimes suddenly prefer pooping in one box > and peeing in the other, refusing to do both in the same box. > The cat has two, the kitten has one big, one tiny. The kitten can’t get > out of the bathroom, and the cat can’t get in, so I was considering them as > independent systems. > Most cats do the kneading motion with their front legs all their > lives. It’s quite common and no cause for concern. > Sucking on her own fur is a bit unusual, but she’ll probably grow out > of it. > I wouldn’t leave a kitten alone with an adult cat. From your > description of their interaction, it’s probably just play. You only > need to be concerned if blood is drawn. Still, I would err on the > side of caution. > So how long should I wait? > Thanks, > –Gilbert > Bill >> Hi, > [yadda yadda yadda SNIP] >> The "litterbox problem" has manifested as an occasional pooping on >> the floor. > [yadda yadda SNIP] >>(I think >> she might have been separated too early from her mother; a couple of >> times I’ve cradled her like a baby, and she started to suck on her >> own fur and made "kneading" motions with her front paws.) >> How do we train her to poop only in the litterbox? > [yadda yadda SNIP] >> On a slightly different topic, when would it be safe to leave the >> kitten alone with the cat? > [yadda yadda about big cat chasing little kitten SNIP]
Response:
The only thing you can really do is lavish praise when the kitten poops in the box. Negative reinforcement generally doesn’t work, so trying to punish for going outside the box would be less effective. It could also be a litter preference issue…what kind are you using now? Have you noticed if the pattern of going outside the box happens only after having pooped inside the box already? Or is it totally random? (ie, does it ever happen when the box is totally fresh?) If that does turn out to be a problem, maybe a littermaid box would help. The only other thing I’m wondering is, where is the food bowl relative to the litter box? Some cats have issues with going to the bathroom so close to where they eat. -Jen If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?
Response:
> The only thing you can really do is lavish praise when the kitten > poops in the box. Negative reinforcement generally doesn’t work, so > trying to punish for going outside the box would be less effective. It > could also be a litter preference issue…what kind are you using now?
Since all I had was Tidy Cats scoopable litter, that’s what I put in the little box while I went shopping for the big box. I tried the pine pellets in the big box on the first day, but she completely ignored the stuff. Then I bought another scoopable brand, I can’t recall which, but the box said it was flushable. Once I put it in the big box, she started going in the big box more than the little box. > Have you noticed if the pattern of going outside the box happens only > after having pooped inside the box already? Or is it totally random? > (ie, does it ever happen when the box is totally fresh?) If that does > turn out to be a problem, maybe a littermaid box would help.
I’m already checking her boxes at least three or four times a day (in the morning, when I get up; around 1 pm, when I check back at my home; in the evening when I get home from work; and usually right before I go to sleep). For the last several days, I’ve been letting her out to play with my other cat for a few short sessions (I read somewhere to start slow, and to keep these introductory play times short), and I check again then, so it seems I must check 6-8 times a day. > The only > other thing I’m wondering is, where is the food bowl relative to the > litter box? Some cats have issues with going to the bathroom so close > to where they eat.
Well, she IS in a bathroom, so there isn’t that much room in the first place. I put the water bowl in the corner opposite the sink (elsewhere I described that the litter boxes are next to the sink counter). Originally the dry food bowl was next to the water, but when we found a poop under the toilet tank, that bowl got moved next to the toilet (the little-used little box was on the other side of the toilet), and there hasn’t been a poop there since then. When we found a poop right by the door, I started feeding her her wet food by the door, but she pooped again there later. The only pattern I can even guess at, is that most of the floor pooping seems to occur after a long time of no attention from us (e.g., after we’ve been asleep all night, or out of the house for more than a couple of hours). After reading Cathy Friedmann’s message, I moved the little box next to the big box last night. No poop last night, but this morning, right after my morning visit, she pooped in the big box (I hope that’s not a message of some kind), and I tried to praise her (I don’t think she understands English yet! Don’t they teach kids anything these days?!?). Keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for your input. –Gilbert – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> -Jen > If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?
Response:
>> Are the two boxes right next to eachother? > No, the big one is in front of the sink, and the little one’s on the > side, between the toilet and the sink. I guess I’ll move them > together.
I moved the little box next to the big box last night. No poop last night, but this morning, right after my morning visit, she pooped in the big box (I hope that’s not a message of some kind). Keeping my fingers crossed. –Gilbert
Response:
> Are the two boxes right next to eachother?
No, the big one is in front of the sink, and the little one’s on the side, between the toilet and the sink. I guess I’ll move them together. > Ids she pooping right next > to the litter box?
She did a couple of times. The first one was under a chair I put in the bathroom (I feel funny about sitting on the toilet if I don’t have to go). The second was under the toilet tank (next to the little box). The third was by the door. The fourth was by the big litter box. The fifth was by the door. I think she’s averaging a couple of little poops per day (I wasn’t keeping real close track), so that’s five floor poops out of about 18 total poops, and 2 out of 5 next to the litter box. > And, you could consider adding even a 3rd box, > next to the others, just in case she’s just extra-picky.
If we go that route, pretty soon the entire floor will be covered in litter boxes! > Are the > boxes kept really clean – scooped 2 -3 times/day?
I scoop her boxes three times/day. The big cat only gets it once/day! > (Look at the silver > lining: be thankful she’s peeing in the boxes all of the time – that’s > a lot more difficult to clean up than poop!) > Personally, I’d wait a while before leaving her along w/ the older > cat.
Okay. I was hoping that letting her hang out with the cat would enable the cat to somehow give her some guidance, and the two of them wouldn’t be lonely during the day. I was thinking maybe she just poops on the floor because she’s lonely or doesn’t like being cooped up in the bathroom all day. I’m probably imagining things, but I haven’t caught her in the act yet, so it seems like maybe she’s pooping on the floor during the time we’re asleep or we’re out for more than an hour (work and school), and she’s isolated in the bathroom. Thanks for your input, –Gilbert [a lot of my own rambling edited] – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The "litterbox problem" has manifested as an occasional pooping on > the floor. She also poops in the litterbox, and pees exclusively in > the litterbox. > How do we train her to poop only in the litterbox? > On a slightly different topic, when would it be safe to leave the > kitten alone with the cat?
Response:
> The general Rule of Thumb is # litter boxes = # cats + 1, so you > should have three (full size) litter boxes if you have two cats. One > reason is that a cat will sometimes suddenly prefer pooping in one box > and peeing in the other, refusing to do both in the same box.
The cat has two, the kitten has one big, one tiny. The kitten can’t get out of the bathroom, and the cat can’t get in, so I was considering them as independent systems. > Most cats do the kneading motion with their front legs all their > lives. It’s quite common and no cause for concern. > Sucking on her own fur is a bit unusual, but she’ll probably grow out > of it. > I wouldn’t leave a kitten alone with an adult cat. From your > description of their interaction, it’s probably just play. You only > need to be concerned if blood is drawn. Still, I would err on the > side of caution.
So how long should I wait? Thanks, –Gilbert > Bill > Hi,
[yadda yadda yadda SNIP] > The "litterbox problem" has manifested as an occasional pooping on > the floor.
[yadda yadda SNIP] >(I think > she might have been separated too early from her mother; a couple of > times I’ve cradled her like a baby, and she started to suck on her > own fur and made "kneading" motions with her front paws.) > How do we train her to poop only in the litterbox?
[yadda yadda SNIP] > On a slightly different topic, when would it be safe to leave the > kitten alone with the cat?
[yadda yadda about big cat chasing little kitten SNIP]
Response:
Hi, We adopted a spayed DLH kitten from the shelter on Oct 5, to (eventually) be a buddy for our first cat (an almost-2-year-old neutered Siamese mix, that we adopted in May). Her birthday was given as July 15, so she’s about three months old. At the time, the tech at the shelter advised us to separate the two for a week, and suggested that we keep the kitten in a bathroom. There was a comment that the kitten had occasional litterbox problems, but maybe could benefit from the guidance of an older cat. The "litterbox problem" has manifested as an occasional pooping on the floor. She also poops in the litterbox, and pees exclusively in the litterbox. (She actually has two litterboxes: one is a small cardboard box I set up for her to use while I went to the store to get a (bigger) plastic litterbox, but she doesn’t use the little box very much anymore.) (I think she might have been separated too early from her mother; a couple of times I’ve cradled her like a baby, and she started to suck on her own fur and made "kneading" motions with her front paws.) How do we train her to poop only in the litterbox? Incidentally, we have a vet appointment for a general check-up on Oct. 17, so the vet ought to be able to tell us if there’s something health-related then. On a slightly different topic, when would it be safe to leave the kitten alone with the cat? We’ve let the kitten out a few times for supervised interaction with the cat. After a while, the cat ends up chasing the kitten around the room, sometimes pinning her to the floor, and the kitten starts hissing and pawing mightily. There’s never been any blood, and I don’t think he has bitten or scratched her (a couple of times, he pinned her, then started licking her), but the kitten sounds quite upset, and then I separate them with an occasional squirt of water (more often, I just shake the spray bottle, and the cat gets the hint). I give the cat lots of treats while the kitten’s around, but it’s hard to distract him once he’s in chase mode. The kitten hasn’t reacted too badly yet; even after a pin, she still likes to jump around and explore the room. In fact, sometimes she instigates things by batting at the older cat. I’m just a bit concerned because the cat is so much bigger than the kitten, and I’m not sure what to do. Sorry to be so long-winded. Any advice is appreciated (although I’ll be reading insulting and condescending comments with a frown on my face). Thanks, –Gilbert
Response:
The general Rule of Thumb is # litter boxes = # cats + 1, so you should have three (full size) litter boxes if you have two cats. One reason is that a cat will sometimes suddenly prefer pooping in one box and peeing in the other, refusing to do both in the same box. Most cats do the kneading motion with their front legs all their lives. It’s quite common and no cause for concern. Sucking on her own fur is a bit unusual, but she’ll probably grow out of it. I wouldn’t leave a kitten alone with an adult cat. From your description of their interaction, it’s probably just play. You only need to be concerned if blood is drawn. Still, I would err on the side of caution. Bill
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, > We adopted a spayed DLH kitten from the shelter on Oct 5, to (eventually) > be a buddy for our first cat (an almost-2-year-old neutered Siamese mix, > that we adopted in May). Her birthday was given as July 15, so she’s about > three months old. At the time, the tech at the shelter advised us to > separate the two for a week, and suggested that we keep the kitten in a > bathroom. There was a comment that the kitten had occasional litterbox > problems, but maybe could benefit from the guidance of an older cat. > The "litterbox problem" has manifested as an occasional pooping on the > floor. She also poops in the litterbox, and pees exclusively in the > litterbox. (She actually has two litterboxes: one is a small cardboard box > I set up for her to use while I went to the store to get a (bigger) plastic > litterbox, but she doesn’t use the little box very much anymore.) (I think > she might have been separated too early from her mother; a couple of times > I’ve cradled her like a baby, and she started to suck on her own fur and > made "kneading" motions with her front paws.) > How do we train her to poop only in the litterbox? > Incidentally, we have a vet appointment for a general check-up on Oct. 17, > so the vet ought to be able to tell us if there’s something health-related > then. > On a slightly different topic, when would it be safe to leave the kitten > alone with the cat? We’ve let the kitten out a few times for supervised > interaction with the cat. After a while, the cat ends up chasing the > kitten around the room, sometimes pinning her to the floor, and the kitten > starts hissing and pawing mightily. There’s never been any blood, and I > don’t think he has bitten or scratched her (a couple of times, he pinned > her, then started licking her), but the kitten sounds quite upset, and then > I separate them with an occasional squirt of water (more often, I just > shake the spray bottle, and the cat gets the hint). I give the cat lots of > treats while the kitten’s around, but it’s hard to distract him once he’s > in chase mode. The kitten hasn’t reacted too badly yet; even after a pin, > she still likes to jump around and explore the room. In fact, sometimes > she instigates things by batting at the older cat. I’m just a bit > concerned because the cat is so much bigger than the kitten, and I’m not > sure what to do. > Sorry to be so long-winded. Any advice is appreciated (although I’ll be > reading insulting and condescending comments with a frown on my face). > Thanks, > –Gilbert
Response:
Are the two boxes right next to eachother? Ids she pooping right next to the litter box? And, you could consider adding even a 3rd box, next to the others, just in case she’s just extra-picky. Are the boxes kept really clean – scooped 2 -3 times/day? (Look at the silver lining: be thankful she’s peeing in the boxes all of the time – that’s a lot more difficult to clean up than poop!) Personally, I’d wait a while before leaving her along w/ the older cat. Cathy — "Staccato signals of constant information…" ("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, > We adopted a spayed DLH kitten from the shelter on Oct 5, to (eventually) > be a buddy for our first cat (an almost-2-year-old neutered Siamese mix, > that we adopted in May). Her birthday was given as July 15, so she’s about > three months old. At the time, the tech at the shelter advised us to > separate the two for a week, and suggested that we keep the kitten in a > bathroom. There was a comment that the kitten had occasional litterbox > problems, but maybe could benefit from the guidance of an older cat. > The "litterbox problem" has manifested as an occasional pooping on the > floor. She also poops in the litterbox, and pees exclusively in the > litterbox. (She actually has two litterboxes: one is a small cardboard box > I set up for her to use while I went to the store to get a (bigger) plastic > litterbox, but she doesn’t use the little box very much anymore.) (I think > she might have been separated too early from her mother; a couple of times > I’ve cradled her like a baby, and she started to suck on her own fur and > made "kneading" motions with her front paws.) > How do we train her to poop only in the litterbox? > Incidentally, we have a vet appointment for a general check-up on Oct. 17, > so the vet ought to be able to tell us if there’s something health-related > then. > On a slightly different topic, when would it be safe to leave the kitten > alone with the cat? We’ve let the kitten out a few times for supervised > interaction with the cat. After a while, the cat ends up chasing the > kitten around the room, sometimes pinning her to the floor, and the kitten > starts hissing and pawing mightily. There’s never been any blood, and I > don’t think he has bitten or scratched her (a couple of times, he pinned > her, then started licking her), but the kitten sounds quite upset, and then > I separate them with an occasional squirt of water (more often, I just > shake the spray bottle, and the cat gets the hint). I give the cat lots of > treats while the kitten’s around, but it’s hard to distract him once he’s > in chase mode. The kitten hasn’t reacted too badly yet; even after a pin, > she still likes to jump around and explore the room. In fact, sometimes > she instigates things by batting at the older cat. I’m just a bit > concerned because the cat is so much bigger than the kitten, and I’m not > sure what to do. > Sorry to be so long-winded. Any advice is appreciated (although I’ll be > reading insulting and condescending comments with a frown on my face). > Thanks, > –Gilbert
Response:
Posted in Bathroom Sink | 
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I replace the 90+ furnace this winter, the HVAC guy mentions the > flues > > are an issue on the Water Heater, but it’s not > > his problem. he just replaces the Furnace. > > 9) The HVAC guys plumber comes out to look at the furnace job and says > > "This water heater will not pass and therefore the > > furnace won’t pass". > > 10) The HVAC PLUMBER says the WH needs a 4" B Vent and we have to rip > out > > the drywall to replace this and reset the furnace > > to give it more space. > > So can I just put more metal in the drywall? 6 years, it’s been in this > > configuration without charring, coking, caramelizing, the big metal > plates > > we put in with the liner seem to act as good heat sinks. > > This is some really bad ASCII art, showing the water heater the furnace > and > > the Bathroom Wall and Toilet. The 4" flue runs > > behind the furnace and into the Chimney right behind the toilet wall. > > WH | FUR || Toilet 