How to stop cats and cats from shitting

"Bad Cat!"

After committing another offense, your beloved “Masya-Basya,” as you just called him, immediately turns into a “worthless brat” who needs to be thrown out. Such threats are completely meaningless. Violent methods towards a pet are also unacceptable. How to stop cats from crapping in the wrong place is a sensitive issue that requires patience, delicacy, and sometimes consultations with a veterinarian and even a zoopsychologist.

Spot of discord

A cat that prefers secluded (and not so secluded) corners of the apartment to its own litter box is not guided by harm at all. In most cases, shameful habits, from the point of view of the owners, are caused by the natural instincts of the animal or errors in its upbringing and care. You need to realize this, once and for all abandoning the idea of weaning your pet from mischief using a house slipper or a broom. Such an action will only aggravate the situation, and the objects of execution may just become the next objects of “toilet interest” of the offended cat.

The owner should take a close look at the animal’s behavior, remember when the cat developed the habit of shitting in the wrong place, and what events preceded this. This is necessary in order to find out the reason for this cat behavior. After all, if it is not eliminated, it will not be possible to radically get rid of the problem. You can, of course, use various means to discourage a cat from turning, for example, a flower pot into an individual toilet, but this does not mean at all that an alternative to it will be a tray, and not a carpet or the master’s bed.

The reasons why a cat ignores the litter box can be very diverse and completely unexpected for the owner. Sometimes they are related to the health of the animal, and in this case you cannot do without the help of a veterinarian. And it happens that the pet begins to shit anywhere due to a simple misunderstanding. For example, a cat settled down in a litter box, and at this time the owner began to scold him for some offense that was irrelevant at the moment. Finding out why the cat started acting up and which methods will be more effective in the fight for cleanliness in the apartment is usually possible only through trial and error, because the purr, unfortunately, will not be able to tell about it himself.

The process of planning a mischief

Veterinary remedies to prevent your cat from shitting anywhere

We looked at available means to treat the area where the cat shits so that it never shits again. Now let's talk about special drugs that discourage the cat from peeing anywhere. Veterinary products are produced mainly in the form of sprays. In addition to the repellent effect, the products eliminate the old cat odor in the apartment.

No. 1. Spray 8 in 1 “Nature's Miracle”

The drug is made on the basis of lemon and thyme oils, they act as repellent ingredients. The spray is intended for any hard surfaces damaged by a cat.

The area that needs to be cleaned is generously treated with the drug.
After 10-15 minutes, the remaining product is removed with a dry cloth.

The spray works well on stains and is quite effective on cats, but you need to be careful with it in the presence of children.

No. 2. Antigadin Beaphar "Stop-it Cat"

The Beaphar company has released a product that helps prevent your cat from peeing anywhere.

The drug is sprayed onto all crime scenes once a day.
The product is recommended primarily for adult animals.
Please read the instructions before use.

No. 3. Doctor Vic cat repellent spray

The product is based on rue tree oil, its smell repels animals.

The drug is sprayed onto any hard surface.
One treatment during the day is enough for the cat to stop approaching the chosen place.
It is well tolerated by cats, but can cause irritation in humans if used actively.

Important! When applying, avoid contact of the substance with foliage and flowers of plants. Do not spray inside the pot.

The main reasons why cats shit in inappropriate places

The furry creatures torment their owners with their bad habit with depressing consistency or from time to time. As a rule, this is explained by the following factors:

the cat is not litter box trained;
the cat does not like the place where the tray is installed;
the cat has complaints about the shape or filling of the tray;
the tray is dirty;
Competitors living in the house claim the tray;
the cat is stressed;
the cat has health problems;
age problems;
the cat wants to go for a walk.

Depending on the reason, you should choose a method by which you can ensure order and cleanliness in the house.

Diseases of the genitourinary system

Cats are naturally very clean and will never pee in their home. But sometimes animals trained to use the tray begin to pee anywhere. This behavior is not always a sign of poor cat upbringing. The most common cause is a serious illness, such as kidney failure. The most common diseases associated with cat misbehavior are :

Urinary incontinence. A cat does not pee outside of its litter box on purpose - it simply cannot control this process. Typically these places are a bed, carpet or shoes;
Urinary incontinence can develop as a result of inflammatory processes, injuries or diseases of the spine, or ectopia of the ureters. Cats can also suffer from this disease in old age;
Severe stress. The cat begins to pee in strange and atypical places, for example, in a flower pot. The cat may be jealous of the owner for a new family member or pet, bored or worried about the owner’s illness. Cats often show jealousy towards newborns by peeing on the baby's toys and other things. In such a situation, it is very important to calm and caress the cat, to show it that you love it;
Urolithiasis or urolithiasis. The disease affects genetically predisposed cats, older cats, as well as those who eat cheap dry food. Kidney stones cause a lot of troubles and problems with urination for a cat. The cat may feel an urge, but it is difficult to write;
Cystitis. This inflammatory process is similar in its symptoms to ICD. With this disease, the cat pees past the litter box or in an unnatural position for it (for example, standing).

The reason for your pet’s bad behavior may be a disease of the genitourinary system. Some of the most common are pyelonephritis, nephritis, glomerulonephritis (kidney inflammation), and ureitis. The cat may also suffer from atony - impaired peristalsis. With this disease, the cat involuntarily pees when its bladder becomes full.

Monitor your cat's health - if she has difficulty urinating or the color of her urine changes, contact your veterinarian immediately.

How to stop a cat from shitting in the wrong place

The easiest way to solve a cat litter problem is if it is related to the cat's complaints about the litter box. It will be more difficult to wean your pet from relieving itself wherever it pleases if the reasons for this behavior are stress or the state of its health.

Domestic situations

Having discovered that the cat has begun to leave puddles and piles throughout the apartment, you need, first of all, to think about whether he has any complaints about his individual toilet and about you personally. Maybe you don’t react when the animal meows, signaling that the tray is dirty - in this case, “gifts” cannot be avoided. Most cats are incredibly clean, and they will always prefer a neat corner in the apartment to an untidy, foul-smelling litter box. Perhaps a more thorough washing of the cat's box immediately after the pet has finished its intimate activities is the only thing it needs to avoid looking for an alternative location for the toilet.

It happens that the owner moves the tray to another place, but the pet is either not used to it yet, or he is not satisfied with the new secluded corner. Cats are quite sensitive to such a delicate issue as the administration of natural needs. In the wild, they try to do this with maximum secrecy, realizing that at such a moment they are helpless and have no opportunity to defend themselves or escape. In this regard, the tray should be placed where the animal can feel safe. In addition, you need to check if there are containers with strong-smelling chemicals near the cat litter box.

It happens that a cat persistently leaves its tracks in the same place - this way it can communicate that it has chosen a comfortable corner for itself. If you don't mind moving the tray there, meet your pet halfway. Otherwise, you can try to cheat - move the box to a place the cat likes, and then, gradually and little by little, move it in the direction of a more convenient, from your point of view, location in the apartment.

Cats often avoid going into the litter box if they have complaints about its shape or size, then the litter box will have to be replaced. The fact that the fluffy one is no longer satisfied with the tray should not be surprising. This usually happens when the owner loses sight of the fact that the cat is growing. An “enlarged” pet simply cannot turn around in the box it was accustomed to as a kitten. In addition, in cramped conditions, he has no room to maneuver to bury his excrement. In such cases, animals may begin to shit in the bathtub, mistaking it for a large tray. It is quite easy to wean your cat from relieving itself in the bathroom - you just need to fill it with some water and close the drain. However, this does not solve the problem as a whole. The tray will still have to be replaced.

What kind of starship is this?! I'm better off in the boot.

If the new toilet will be in the form of a box with a door, it is better not to install a roof right away. The cat must first get used to this place.

A cat that continues to poop in the wrong place, despite purchasing a new litter box, may not be happy with its contents. It happens that the owner changed the clumping litter to wood, mineral to silica gel, or vice versa, and the animal protests against these innovations. Then you need to return to the filler that previously satisfied the pet. It happens that a cat, after spending a “vacation” at the dacha, has radically changed his preferences, and now he needs sand. Offer your animal all options, including torn newspapers. It may also turn out that he does not need any filler at all.

Competition

If several cats live in the house, intrigue can develop around the litter box. The fact is that kitties tend to quietly observe such an important object as an individual toilet. Knowing about this feature of their relatives, the most timid of pets may be embarrassed to carry out a scrupulous procedure under the supposed watchful supervision. He will prefer to find a more secretive corner in the apartment for this.

To make all cats comfortable, each of them needs to be provided with its own tray. It would be even better if they had an additional box - an “alternate airfield” for an “emergency landing.” The ideal way out is to place individual trays in separate corners, if living conditions allow this.

Stress

Cats may start pooping in inappropriate places as a result of stress. This happens if the emotional background in the house changes or the apartment is shaken by loud sounds and vibrations emanating from neighbors who have begun renovations. Cats do not tolerate moving well; after traveling, they may not go to the toilet for a couple of days at all, and you will look in vain for traces of the “crime” in different parts of the apartment. The appearance of a new family member or guests can throw an animal out of balance. In this case, the cat’s dissatisfaction intensifies due to the appearance of foreign odors. He, of course, will try to kill them with his “incense.”

If the cat refuses the tray in such situations, you need to be patient, do not scold him, and pet him more often. In most cases, over time, the fluffy returns to its usual place on its own, but you can try to “drive” it into the tray as quickly as possible.

Having traced where the cat has moved to secretly relieve itself, treat this place with a disinfectant. Today, any pet store sells specialized aromatic compositions in the form of sprays to repel pets from places inappropriate for the toilet.

Beaphar Stop it Cat Spray

The following drugs have proven themselves well:

spray “Shit? No” (contains castor and essential oils, wormwood extract);
spray “AntiGadin” (contains extracts of pepper, menthol, catechin);
Beaphar Stop it Cat Spray (with natural ingredients that contain scents that repel cats in their natural environment).

It is recommended to use sprays 1-2 times a day to treat areas where the cat shits regularly. Traces of puddles and heaps should be destroyed very carefully so that no smell remains in these places, otherwise the ugly thing will return here. Not every drug will repel your pet, so you may have to experiment.

You can also purchase a special flashlight at a pet store. The gadget will come in handy if you can’t find the place where your cat gets into the habit of going to the toilet.

If you do not want to use chemicals, turn to traditional methods of keeping your apartment clean. Place orange or lemon peels and garlic cloves in the corner soiled by the cat - the animal will not like their inherent smell. Vinegar is a bad help in this case; it will only enhance the “aroma” of urine, and the cat will happily continue to use this place as a toilet. The same applies to bleach, which will also serve as bait.

You can also try placing a bowl of cat food in the place where the cat poops. He won't go to the bathroom where his food is.

If your pet does not return to the litter box for a long time, and its behavior is either too restless or, conversely, lethargic, you should contact a zoopsychologist. He will tell the owners how to find mutual understanding with the cat. In addition, special medications may be needed to reduce the animal’s stress level, and these should only be prescribed by a specialist.

Right here?

Diseases and age of the pet

Often the reason for a bad habit lies in the age of the cat. Aging purrs often suffer from diseases of the musculoskeletal system, anemia, and obesity. It becomes a problem for them to simply reach the place where the tray is located, and they arrange their toilet right next to the resting place. Or the poor thing still gets to it, but has difficulty climbing over the side. It’s easy to guess that a cat is having difficulty moving by watching how it overcomes obstacles: steps over a threshold or jumps onto an elevated surface.

In such a situation, you need to purchase a tray with the lowest sides and place it next to the cat's bed or in the corner where the animal spends most of its time. It is possible that you will have to move your pet into the tray in your arms.

Very often, cats suffering from diseases of the genitourinary system refuse to use the litter box. Pets experience pain when urinating, and they associate it with the litter box. It is not surprising that the animal begins to look for another place for its needs, leaving traces throughout the apartment. In this case, the only way out is to visit a veterinarian.

Sexual behavior and territorial disputes

During puberty, and then usually 3-4 times a year, representatives of the cat tribe begin to actively look for a mate. This is accompanied not only by heartbreaking screams, but also by marks. Fetid puddles appear on chairs, in the master's bed, in shoes and other places. At the same time, if the smell from the mark left by the cat is quite moderate, then the “aroma” that the cat’s wet footprints emit simply knocks you off your feet.

In addition, at any time of the year, cats can mark their territory with urine containing specific secretion products - pheromones. This process, similar to normal urination, is accompanied by a proud raising of the quivering tail, so that it is difficult to miss. However, it is impossible to prevent the inevitable “crime”. Everything happens very quickly, since the animal in such cases does not waste time to choose a place, sit down and bury its tracks. If there is a cat living in a neighbor's apartment, your pet will regularly leave its marks at the front door at the moment when a competitor begins to approach his door.

It is impossible to stop a cat from marking. Neither persuasion, nor threats, nor spraying your pet with a spray bottle, nor regularly cleaning up disgusting puddles will help. You can radically get rid of this problem only by sterilizing the animal. It is worth considering that after surgery, the pet may continue to mark its territory out of habit; this may be due to its individual characteristics. But in this case it becomes possible to wean him off.

People who, for various reasons, do not want to sterilize their pets often resort to hormonal drugs. With their help, you can also suppress the animal’s sexual instincts. But before offering the drug to your cat, you should consult a veterinarian.

How to wean yourself from a bad habit?

If an adult animal shits on the carpet due to its special disposition or inability to do otherwise, violence should not be used, as this will only aggravate the situation.

A small kitten can be limited in its movement by choosing a small room where you can put food and a litter tray. At the same time, it is important not to forget to visit your pet and reward him with attention and treats so that he does not feel abandoned. Usually after 5 days the fluffy one develops the correct reflex. If the reason is in the tray or litter, it is advisable to offer the animal several options, placing them in several places. After a while, remove those where the pet does not go.

Usually, the previous owners give the pet back along with all the accessories to make it easier for him to get used to his new habitat.

If you adopt an adult cat, you should ask the former owner about the animal’s habits, and then purchase everything you need in advance. But often the pet is given away with personal hygiene items for better adaptation in a new home. And sudden changes in your usual life, a change in the filler can only aggravate the problem.

If a purr still walks past the litter box, some cat owners suggest lightly poking its muzzle into the puddle, scolding it, and then taking it to the litter box and, placing it there, praising it. Afterwards, blot the remaining mark on the carpet with paper and put it in the tray. In the place where the damaged rug lies, place substances with a pungent odor (onion, garlic, cloves, pepper, wormwood, lemon peel) - with a sensitive sense of smell, this should scare away cats. You can prepare a tincture from these ingredients and spray it on problem areas.

What smells repel cats so they don't shit?

Above are professional and improvised means that are used in the fight against the atrocities of furry friends. We’ll also tell you how to treat the area where your cat poops so that she gives up the habit and doesn’t poop anymore. Pets are sensitive to aromas, so spraying on dirty areas with compounds that are intolerable to cats is a way out of the situation.

No. 1. Alcohol

Leader in cat repellents. When a cat smells even a faint smell of alcohol, he will avoid this place. Vodka or pure alcohol can be used to treat floors, corners and shoes. If your cat craps under the table, place a glass of vodka on it.

No. 2. Citrus

Cats absolutely cannot stand the smell of citrus fruits. This aroma causes them undisguised disgust. You need to spread fresh zest in all places that could potentially become a cat's litter box. Citrus zest is changed regularly, as fresh peels have a more intense smell.

Citrus fruits are also an excellent remedy for the smell of cat urine that hangs in the apartment. In your rooms, use a citrus air freshener, citrus-scented candles, and for furniture you can buy a polish with the same scent. Also, vases with dried citrus peels would not be out of place.

No. 3. Onion garlic

Cats and cats do not like onion-garlic aromas. To prevent new cases of “crime,” onions or garlic are first chopped, and then napkins with the mixture are laid out in the corners of the rooms. As an alternative - the same chopped vegetables, but doused with boiling water. All “dangerous” surfaces are wiped with a hot garlic-onion solution.

No. 4. Perfumery

Animals, including cats, are susceptible to unfamiliar scents. This method not only teaches the cat the skill of going to the toilet where it is supposed to, but also turns it into a real “lady”. The main thing is not to overdo it and pour out too much perfume. You can spray upholstered furniture with your perfume, letting your pet know whose territory it is.

No. 5. Vinegar

Vinegar discourages the desire to install toilets in inappropriate places. It also does a great job of eliminating the odor that lingers in the air when your cat pees anywhere.

If you don't know how to remove the smell of cat urine, use vinegar. Dilute 1 tbsp. l. vinegar 0.5 l. water and wipe all surfaces.

And in order to discourage your cat from pooping outside the litter box, you need to wipe with clean vinegar the place where she makes her toilet.

No. 6. Essential oils

Lavender, rosemary, and peppermint oils have proven themselves well. Water scented with ether is used to wash places where the cat is not supposed to go to the toilet. For the best effect, add strong brewed coffee to the solution.

No. 7. Lavender

Cats absolutely cannot stand the smell of lavender. Buy lavender-scented powders and rinses and wash sofa throws and blankets with them. The lavender scent can be left in all places chosen by a pet for unauthorized toileting.

No. 8. Herbs

Cats do not shit in areas treated with infusions of rosemary, mustard, cumin, cayenne pepper or lavender leaves. You can make the herbal infusion yourself, or buy the tincture at the pharmacy. The tincture works more effectively because it contains alcohol. It is enough to spray the tincture in those places where cats shit.

No. 9. Chemical substances

Pets perceive the smell of chemicals, household and construction chemicals, and persistently smelling detergents extremely negatively. You need to be extremely careful with these methods of raising cats, otherwise you can cause allergic irritation and harm the animal.

We looked at all possible options for treating the area where the cat shits so that it never shits again. If the cat suddenly begins to avoid the litter box and starts going to the toilet anywhere, you need to urgently find out the reason, and immediately treat the soiled area using one of the suggested methods.

How to train a cat to use the toilet?

To stop your cat from pooping in the wrong place, you can try teaching it to defecate on the toilet.
It is easier to train him to use the toilet after using the litter box. To begin with, the habit of defecating without litter is formed. The amount of bulk material gradually decreases. Replace a regular trough with a mesh tray.
At the second stage, the tray is raised daily to a certain height until it reaches the level with the toilet. It is important to take care of the stability of the structure. After a few weeks, the tray at height is removed, and a special tab with a small hole is placed on the toilet. Another option is to cut an oval hole in the toilet lid.
If the cat is scared by the noisy sounds of the toilet , then try flushing while holding the pet in your arms. He must see that he is not in danger. If you notice that it is difficult for your cat to sit on the new device, then help her take the correct position.

Training

It will take about a month to train your cat to use the toilet after using the litter box, so be patient.