homeless kitty, not litterbox trained

[dandyduncan]

As a child I was an AVID cat lover. I couldn't get enough of them. Now that I am a mother of 3 small children between the ages of 1 and 4, I do not have much patience to give to animals. We have a dog and have tried getting kittens a couple years ago but I could never get them to use the litter box consistantly. I had to find all of them new homes.

A few days ago my neighbor moved leaving behind a cat. It is not full grown, but not a little kitten. Probably 6 months old or so. He is healthy looking and so sweet. He showed up at my door cold and hungry. I took him in and fed him. My husband brought home a litter pan and scratching post. We told the kids that if he doesn't go potty on the floor we will keep him. The kids love him, he is very good with them.

The second night we had him he pooped on the kitchen floor, my husband put it in the litterbox to give the cat a hint.

I don't think the Sylvester (the cat) is getting the hint. I just found more poop behind the laundery basket in the laundery room.

I cleaned the litterbox and he is definitely peeing in it, but not pooping.

As much as I love cats and like Sylvester I do not want my house smelling like cat poop.

Why do I have this problem everythime I bring a cat into my home. This is the first time I have tried it in this house.

[originalfatc]

just a suggestion, try 2 boxes, some like a pee box and a poop box. Mine do.

[dandyduncan]

I will try another pan--i never thought of that...I hope it will work.
Amanda

[opokki]

You could also try confining him to a room with his litter box until he starts to use it fully. His pooping outside of the litter box is likely stress related and in that case his habits might get better as he gets more confortable in his new surroundings.

[dandyduncan]

Thank you for your suggestion. That actually makes alot of sense. It is hard to think about a cat being "stressed". I will try to keep him in the room with the pan. He is a sneeky one. LOL

[rosebud47522]

Try putting your little one in a small closed area, preferably with tile floor, with a litter box for a week or two. Generally, when confined and given a loving, kind and quiet area, kitties will get the idea.

Good Luck. This cat needs to be loved by your family.

[dandyduncan]

He is doing better already by being confined in the room with his litterbox all night and off and on through the day.

Sylvester is getting lots of love from my three children, my husband and I. He gets held and petted ALOT. He seems to like his new home. He seems content. Doesn't try to get out of the house. Likes to be near me when I am working on the computer or watching tv.

Thank you for your advice,
Amanda