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Post by Pammy on Feb 22, 2014 6:27:16 GMT
I need some advice for my college daughter concerning her tabby cat, Lucy. Lucy has started pooping on the carpet. Rachel is at her wits end, and is getting very close to putting Lucy and her food and water outside as an outdoor cat (in town near a busy road). Do any of you cat lovers have any experience dealing with this problem, or any advice on how to put a stop to it so Rachel doesn't send Lucy out the door? I'm very worried for Lucy, and for Rachel, too. She dearly loves that cat, but obviously can't allow her to poop up her rent house.
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Post by dianapalmer on Feb 22, 2014 15:43:01 GMT
Oh dear! How difficult for Rachel. Cats are usually very good about using litter boxes. Is this a new cat? Is she very young? Is she possibly sick? There are several things:
1. Make sure the cat litter box is not close to her food. Cats do not like to poop where they eat. Try to keep the box in quiet location, away from common areas, so the cat has some privacy.
2. Change the litter out frequently. Cats don't like to poop in a dirty box.
3. Try to figure out when this started and identify what triggered the behavior--was there a change in the litter used? A change in diet?
4. If Rachel can identify what time of day the cat usually poops (for example, after dinner), shut her in the bathroom with the litter box until she poops.
5. Put a second litter box in the place where she has taken to pooping.
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Post by rdkntriker on Feb 22, 2014 17:40:42 GMT
Also call the local cat rescue people, they are full of info and give it freely, at least here they do. Please do not have her put the cat outside.
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Post by Pammy on Feb 23, 2014 4:58:37 GMT
Thank you both! I have shared your comments with Rachel.
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Post by Pammy on Feb 23, 2014 22:04:56 GMT
Rachel followed some of these tips, and Lucy hasn't had an "accident" since. One problem I already knew, and that's that she doesn't keep the litter box scooped nearly as diligently as she should. Something I didn't know was that Rachel was keeping Lucy's food bowls near where the litter box was. She also put the litter box exactly where the cat was pooping. So far, so good!
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Post by dianapalmer on Feb 23, 2014 22:18:43 GMT
I made exactly the same mistake as Rachel, years ago. It seemed logical to me that if the litterbox was right where the food was, the cat would always know where to poop. Turned out I was wrong, and it was a while before someone told me the problem: cats don't like to stay around the litterbox. This has something to do with the odor of feces attracting predators. So, the cats poop, then get away as quickly as possible.
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Post by Pammy on Feb 23, 2014 22:32:48 GMT
This makes perfect sense. Besides, who would want to eat right beside the toilet? I'm very encouraged that things are going better.
Rachel has a dental cleaning here in town tomorrow afternoon and will be coming for dinner afterwards. I'm very happy about this. I so miss having my girl live here. It pretty much stinks when kids grow up and move out. She has requested that we have "something yummy with mashed potatoes."
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Post by rdkntriker on Feb 23, 2014 23:23:09 GMT
Have you ever made mashed potato pie yummy
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Post by Pammy on Feb 24, 2014 0:35:23 GMT
I haven't, but I remember you posting the recipe. I had never heard of mashed potato pie before that.
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Post by rdkntriker on Feb 24, 2014 0:59:20 GMT
How about hamburger pie , another yummy
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Post by Pammy on Feb 24, 2014 5:40:04 GMT
I make cheeseburger pie, which is really just a casserole made with ground beef, onions, eggs, Bisquick and cheddar cheese. Is hamburger pie something similar?
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Post by rdkntriker on Feb 24, 2014 15:17:14 GMT
yes it is, but topped with mashed potatoes and baked
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Post by Pammy on Feb 24, 2014 18:55:15 GMT
Ahh yes, sounds good! I make hamburger gravy (like sausage gravy) and pour it over hot mashed potatoes sometimes for dinner. I love it.
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Post by bree1818 on Feb 24, 2014 19:28:33 GMT
I feel myself gaining 10 pounds just reading this topic...
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Post by rdkntriker on Feb 24, 2014 19:38:08 GMT
That's why I exercise so I can eat haha
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