Conference misery::feline

    
    A trip to the vets to rule out any physical problems should always be
    the first step.  Once any health issues are ruled out, you can work on
    the behavior issues.
    
    MaryAnne

    Yes, always check with the vet first, however, I think it's
    likely territorial.  Thank your lucky stars its poop and not
    pee.  A trip to the pet store to buy a bottle of Nature's Miracle
    to remove the poop smell (which plain washing will not necessarily
    remove to the extent that a cat can't smell it) is in order.  There
    are a lot of notes about introducing cats to each other somewhere in
    this notes file -- basically reassurance and not rewarding bad
    behavior with attention, etc.
    
    Karen
                              

    we went to the vets the monday before..I took a stool sample in with me 
    and her test came out negative. I however didn't tell the vet about what 
    she did. When she did it again on fri it tells me that it might not be
    an isolated case. Maybe I'll give them a call and see what she says. 

    I just called the vets office and she's going to call me back. I'll let
    you know what she says.

    The vet called and he suggested that I get a third litter box. He also
    wants me to watch and see if it happens again when I wash the
    sheets/blankets. He said maybe she doesn't like the smell. He's
    surprised that she would deficate rather than urinate if it's a
    territorial thing. I have to keep an eye on her and I may have to take
    her in to be checked to make sure it's not a physical thing. I spoke to
    him about the territorial thing. He said sometimes it takes a long
    time. I sure hope they work this thing out soooon.

    I just remembered, some kinds of bedding seem to say "litter box"
    to cats.  My Holly thinks anything flannel or colored beige/brown
    on a bed is a litter box.  Maybe that's what started this off, at
    your SO's place?

    
    
    	Ack!  I hope it's not the flannel thing.  I just put flannel
    	sheets on the bed and LOVE them.
    

    Well his spread is brown and my blanket is a flannel quilt.

    Pooping on things can be a territorial response but, I've been told
    it is an extreme response.  Max and Carrie use it.  ArgghhhH! 
    Actually, Mac uses it for territory.  I think Carrie is just a little
    too sensitive to the smell of the litterbox.  Hers are usually right
    outside the box.  His are in places not anywhere near a box.  
    
    As for certain things saying "litter box" to cats.  I had this problem
    when I had a light blue comforter on my bed.  I think it was just a
    little too close in color to the light blue/gray litter box bottoms
    I have.  I finally had to wash it a couple of times in a row with 
    Nature's Miracle added to the wash water before I finally broke my
    guys (there were 2 guilty parties) from using it.  I've since gotten
    rid of it.  They don't mistake my dark purple comforter for a litter
    box.  :^)
    
    Jan
    

    
    It occurred to me while reading this thread that any non-cat-lover
    reading this would almost certainly wonder why we would put up with
    this sort of behaviour from a "mere pet".
    
    Such people must lead terribly impoverished lives.
    
    len.
    

    Yes, Len.  Our 4-legged babies really do keep us on our toes.  But
    then, life without them would be so boooorrrrrring.
    
    Sandi (mom to the Notorious Seven)  who has seen it all....  and still
    do love them.

    re: stuff that says litter box to kitties
    
    Had that problem a few years ago with a bathroom rug. Litter box is
    located right outside the bathroom (notch in hallway). Even if the box
    was clean, someone was leaving a pile everyday on the rug. No amount of
    washing, scolding, cleaning the cat box seemed to change the behaviour.
    So I did what was necessary, removed the rug! Problem went away. They
    never used the plain bathroom floor and never moved to some other spot
    (like any of the rugs in the other bathroom).
    
    Whichever one it was, must have liked the idea of a fuzzy seat! to this
    day, there is no rug in that bathroom.
    
    And yes, it is amazing what we'll do for the furfaces!
    
    janetb.

    Did that rug have a no-slip, rubberized bottom? For some reason, those
    rugs seem to say "alternative litterbox" to some cats.
    
    Deb

    Yes, the rug was one of the no-slip rubberized types. But then I have
    other rugs in the other bathroom (by the other kitty box) which has
    never seen a problem....  so go figure!
    
    janetb.