Dr. Liz

My cat keeps pooping on the carpet and I clean his litter box what should I do?

- Pracilla

Pracilla,  I am assuming that your cat was using the litter box previously and has only recently started pooping on your carpet instead. To stop your cat from pooping on the carpet, you may simply have to retrain your cat to use the litter box. There are many reasons why your cats may have changed it's behavior. Cats are creatures of habit, territorial and extremely sensitive. It is quite possible that if you have made any changes to your living situation or environment recently that your cat is changing it toilet habits in accordance.  

A few suggestions to get your cats litter box regime back into effect. 

• When your cat does poop on your carpet, put the poop into the litter box. It may seem like a waste of cat litter, but cats respond to scents. Your cat will register the litter box as the place it should be using for poop. 
• Have you moved the litter box recently? Cats are very private about their toilet activities. Make sure that the litter box is in an area that offers maximum privacy for your cat. This will make your cat more comfortable about using it. It might be an idea to get a litter box with a lid, this offers the maximum privacy for your cat. 
• When your cat poops on the carpet, I suggest using a citrus based cleaner to clean up the mess. Cats don't like the smell of citrus, so this will deter your cat for using the same spot as a litter box. 
• Putting additional litter boxes in your home gives your cat more options. It is also worth, exploring the difference between scented and unscented litter. Often the scented types of cat litter can upset cats. It might be an idea to mix 50 percent of unscented litter with 50 percent scented litter. This may be just the compromise you and your cat need.

Good luck Pracilla, I hope these tips stop your cat pooping on your carpet. 

- Dr. Liz