Cats pooping beside litter box

[Johnf]

Have 2 cats, about 2 years old. They came from the same litter. They were both doing well wrt pooping/peeing in the litter box.

But recently, they (I think it's both), occasionally poop near the litter box. It's not all the time. And it's always in the same area.
They still consistently pee in the box.

I've tried 2 boxes in the same vicinity, but it's not helping. They have been using clumping cat litter that we clean fairly regularly.

I've read some of the other posts, will try the special cleaners recommended to see if it helps. But wanted to see if there were advice in this specific case.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi and welcome to TCS. Odds are it isn't both of them, but can't rule that out without more investigation (like a baby cam focused on the boxes to see who is doing it). Although one doing it can lead to both of them because of the scent.

Any change in the stools found outside the box in terms of consistency/color? Recent changes in food, or any connection between any of the different foods they do eat and the times they poop outside the box? Any other recent changes in the household, boxes, litter, or location? All of these kinds of things can change a cat's litter use behavior. A change in behavior - if not health related - is almost always related to a change in their environment.

Not sure what 'fairly regularly' means in terms of cleaning out the box(es), but if not daily, you might start doing that. Sometimes if 'stuff' is left too long in the boxes, the litter and the box itself it can end up smelling too much, and then they go outside of it instead. Keeping the litter scooped daily also helps to reduce the amount of odor that collects in the litter as well.

Lastly, there could always be a health reason - but I would try doing some more investigation/assessment of all the factors mentioned above first. Maybe this TCS article might give you some clues about what else to look for?
Litterbox Problems? Here's Why You Should Call Your Vet - TheCatSite

 

[Alldara]

Is the poo too hard or too soft?

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Generally, not always, but generally, when a cat poops or pees RIGHT NEXT TO the litter box, it is because doing that is painful, and they associate the box with the pain, not their own body. They are trying their best to do right, but it just hurts. Now, pooping or peeing all over the place is a different matter.

If you can pin this down to one cat, a vet check would not be amiss.

 

[KatScritch]

Is it an open litter box or completely enclosed with a front opening, possibly even a flap door? Some cats, for whatever reason, don't like or become averse to enclosed litter boxes.

Also, have you ever moved the litter box, even a few feet, then moved it back? If you move it and they use it, then you move it back, it is possible they will continue relieving themselves wherever the box has ever been placed. Also, do you have another box somewhere. It's recommended to have at least one litter box per cat.

 

[Johnf]

Is the poo too hard or too soft?

Hard poop.

 

[Johnf]

Is it an open litter box or completely enclosed with a front opening, possibly even a flap door? Some cats, for whatever reason, don't like or become averse to enclosed litter boxes.

Also, have you ever moved the litter box, even a few feet, then moved it back? If you move it and they use it, then you move it back, it is possible they will continue relieving themselves wherever the box has ever been placed. Also, do you have another box somewhere. It's recommended to have at least one litter box per cat.

Open litter box and it's always been in the same spot