Cat pooing outwith litter tray
Discussion
As in, a foot or thereabouts in front of it. Haven't changed brand or type of litter, haven't changed cleaning routine (every other day, full change and clean of both trays - two cats so two trays), haven't changed boxes. We did change food but changed back and it's still happening. Boxes are the same ones we've had since about the time we got the cats - extra large Pets At Home ones, the covered type with the flap to get in and out.
It's been happening for periods of a few days on and off for a couple of months now. Only significant change is that my wife has been home on maternity leave from around the same time.
Pretty certain which cat it is as although we've never seen him do it we've seen him scratching around the tiles around the poo attempting to bury it. Cat in question is about 8 years old, fairly large (we think he's a Maine Coon cross) and has never done this before. No evidence of urinating anywhere other than the box. Otherwise he seems pretty much his normal, chirpy, affectionate self.
We did take him to the vet last week who examined him and suspects he may have early stage arthritis in his hips as he flinched and growled when she put pressure at points down his spine. She prescribed Metacam which we've been giving him the last few nights as directed.
Just wanted to ask if there's anything else we could try? Vet suggested trays with lower flaps so he doesn't have to step over so much to get in or out, anyone aware of such a thing? Should we just change the trays every so often maybe?
It's been happening for periods of a few days on and off for a couple of months now. Only significant change is that my wife has been home on maternity leave from around the same time.
Pretty certain which cat it is as although we've never seen him do it we've seen him scratching around the tiles around the poo attempting to bury it. Cat in question is about 8 years old, fairly large (we think he's a Maine Coon cross) and has never done this before. No evidence of urinating anywhere other than the box. Otherwise he seems pretty much his normal, chirpy, affectionate self.
We did take him to the vet last week who examined him and suspects he may have early stage arthritis in his hips as he flinched and growled when she put pressure at points down his spine. She prescribed Metacam which we've been giving him the last few nights as directed.
Just wanted to ask if there's anything else we could try? Vet suggested trays with lower flaps so he doesn't have to step over so much to get in or out, anyone aware of such a thing? Should we just change the trays every so often maybe?
Hmm, vet suggested a shallower/lower entry tray/box so he wouldn't have to step over so much, not sure a deeper one would help. He's 8 years old so hasn't grown in the three years we've had him really, he's never had an issue with the size of box we've been using since then. It's also not every time and for a while I thought it was only when the trays were due for changing and cleaning but I did that last night and woke up to find a deposit a few feet from two almost clean/fresh litter trays...
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