Is there ANY way to stop carpet scooting?

[cmshap]

I have another thread about Willy's pooping issues, and actually have made some progress on that.

Wet/dry food ratio and pooping issues

I found a better ratio of wet-to-dry that appears to have prevented constipation significantly.

But he has been a carpet-scooter his entire life, and there is nothing I've ever been able to do to stop it.

Immediately after using the litter box, he goes to my living room carpet, and runs his butt across about 1-2 feet of carpet. Then usually after, he grooms himself properly. But before the grooming, he always scoots.

This leads to frequent need to use carpet cleaner for the occasional bit of poop left on it. The food issue I mentioned above made it less common that anything is left on the carpet. But even in his early life, 8 years ago, he's always done this.

My vet has basically said that in some cats, this is just a habitual behavior you may not be able to break. They learn there is a carpet surface that works as a means to clean themselves more efficiently, and cats never forget anything, so they just keep doing it.

Edit: I should have said that Willy was checked out for anal gland and other issues relating to his backside. Every wellness checkup, nothing is found wrong back there.

But he once did have an anal gland issue several years ago where it needed to be manually expressed, and the lead-up to that appointment could have cemented the behavior.

 

[rubysmama]

No suggestions on how to stop the habit, but how far is the living room from the litter box? Could you maybe put down a mat or piece of carpeting near the litter box, that he might use instead, and would be more easily cleaned, then thrown out and replaced regularly. And at the same time, is blocking off the living room temporarily an option?

I did a quick site search and found these threads on the topic, that might have some tips, as well.

Cat scooting across carpet (excessive licking) months after PU surgery
Butt Scooting On Carpet?
Diarrhea and scooting bottom on carpet...
Cat scooting butting on furniture/carpet

 

[cmshap]

Could you maybe put down a mat or piece of carpeting near the litter box, that he might use instead, and would be more easily cleaned, then thrown out and replaced regularly. And at the same time, is blocking off the living room temporarily an option?

I live in a one-bedroom apartment with an open design, and the litter box is pretty much in the only place I can put it.

But there's actually a doormat that's closer to the box than the living room. He sometimes scoots on that instead, which is definitely my preference. But much more frequently uses the living room carpet.

You gave me an idea though. Perhaps he prefers something about the texture of the living room carpet? Maybe trying to get a different doormat with a closer texture to the living room carpet would work.

 

[fionasmom]

I have adopted former ferals who would not use litter, but would use a box with a dog pee pad in it, often very faithfully. You might even buy a small package of those, so you don't waste a lot of money, and see if he would scoot on it.

Some carpet stores will sell you remants very inexpensively. You might even be able to find something at Home Depot which would mimic the texture of your carpet and keep him happy.

My youngest boy, who is not feral, had a very slight anal gland issue which we corrected. However, I do think that it reinforced the fact that it feels good to scoot on carpeting. The odd thing is that we have no carpeting in the house except a couple of samples which I left on the floor for anyone who is interested in lying on them. He runs over to find them to scoot when he "needs" to.

 

[rubysmama]

You gave me an idea though. Perhaps he prefers something about the texture of the living room carpet? Maybe trying to get a different doormat with a closer texture to the living room carpet would work.

fionasmom beat me to it, but yes some carpet stores will sell remnants. You could also look at bath mats, and there might be a texture he'd like, and then they'd be machine washable.

 

[cmshap]

fionasmom beat me to it, but yes some carpet stores will sell remnants. You could also look at bath mats, and there might be a texture he'd like, and then they'd be machine washable.

To update this thread a little...

I have tried three different doormats that closely resemble my living room carpet, but he still goes to the living room most of the time. I'm inclined to believe it's more about a deeply ingrained habit at this point.

I may try putting a mat/piece of carpeting directly in front of the litter box. I'm currently using those "honeycomb" type mats that collect spilled litter, but maybe if he had something with texture to scoot on directly in front of the box would encourage its use more.

 

[Margot Lane]

Mine has never been a scooter but, I have no carpet, just easy to clean hardwood. He HAS occasionally scooted when we had IBS dietary issues. In those moments, I yelp at the top of my lungs & clap my hands once and he gets the picture, and goes right to cleaning himself, at which point I tell him “Good Boy,” and give him all sorts of praises. But yeah, barring any sort of “sound training,” I’d bet a “scooter mat” might be a perfect solution.

 

[fionasmom]

Going back to my previous post, my boy has continued to scoot on the same piece of carpeting and it seems that it just feels good to him as I know that there are no problems presently. There are some throw rugs and another remnant in the house, but he likes that one in particular. I agree that you should try a piece of carpet right in front of the box and remove or cover the honeycomb with the carpet to see what he does.

 

[SeventhHeaven]

Scooting may ad to anal gland issues, my thoughts. If he's had rear end messes maybe it's just his thing., a habit
that can break in time make sure his diet is solid waste

 

[heatherwillard0614]

I personally have never had this issue so please bare with me... I know u said u tried to use other carpet that resembles the carpet he currently scoots on I'm thinking even though u r cleaning it he knows the spot and his scent... maybe put the new carpet piece right where he currently scoots like put it right on top? See if he will use the carpet remnant? If so leave it a week or so to get his scent ingrained into the piece of carpet then maybe you will be able to slowly move it towards his litter box??

 

[danteshuman]

Maybe buy a large washable rug and let him scoot?

I would consider seeing a specialist to see if they can get his poop/glands to normal. Until he can poop comfortably I doubt you can stop the behavior.

if you have a long haired cat, take the cat to the groomer & get him a sanitary cut. It helps a lot to keep the poop out of the fur,

 

[cmshap]

Update: no luck. I put a couple of different pieces of carpet directly in front of the litter box, and he still walks right over it, goes to the living room area rug, and scoots.

I'm just living with it currently, because he isn't making messes anymore. It's just a little bit gross to witness, when I see him do it. I spray some enzymatic cleaner on it where I see him scoot, after the fact, and vacuum regularly; otherwise I have to choose not to let it bother me.

I always ask my vet to check out his anal glands on every visit, and he's always been fine as far as that goes. He has a checkup in about a month; I will ask again.