My cat, somebody help me.

[Trillian]

Okay, FH's cat has been pooping in the front hallway since we moved in. Nothing we do has changed this, and we've tried all kinds of remedies, he just doesn't handle change well. We weren't originally planning to take either cat, he was going to give his to a friend and I was going to give mine to my sister. Well, my irresponsible sister would've starved my poor cat to death or it would've ended up living with my mother in the apartment below hers, so we ended up having to take Dora with us. His cat Phil, well, his friend just never showed up the day she was supposed to take him. Phil doesn't handle change very well and doesn't like my son. He's never bitten or scratched him, but hisses at him if he ever gets closer than two feet. Dora on the other hand, was a kitten when we got her and DS was two years old, so she's wonderful with him. Doesn't mind him wrestling with her, doesn't mind having her tail pulled, and doesn't put up too much fuss when he puts her inside my decorative birdcage (long story...well, not really, that's pretty much it. He got in trouble for it, but she goes right back for more so I have trouble feeling sorry for her.)

FH now wants to get rid of BOTH cats. Okay, we'll save by not spending money on litter and food, but I LOVE my Dora! I didn't feel it was fair to make him get rid of Phil if I didn't get rid of Dora (though she doesn't poop on anything) so I put them both up on craigslist. Well the only one drawing any attention is Dora! I don't want to get rid of her when she's not a problem, especially if we end up keeping the problematic cat! It's not fair!!

So how do I explain to my FH that I'm not giving up my cat unless his is gone first? After I figure out how to say that, I can figure out how to say that she's not going anywhere. :D

[SerendipityCrafts]

We once had a cat (a previously well behaved and litter box trained kitty) that started pooping all over the place. We tried everything too but we had a baby on the way so, I was at my wits end as to what to do with her.

One day, my ex took her to the vet to have her put down but he came back with her and one week's worth of pills. I don't know what they were but they only cost us $40 and they did the trick! The pills will probably not solve this cat's "personality disorder" but before you pass on the cat with the problems to someone else perhaps a quick trip to the vet will do the trick re: his pooping? :)

[Trillian]

I honestly think a lot of Phil's problem is my son and the addition of my cat. He doesn't like kids, he started this pooping thing back when we first moved in together at FH's old apartment. But if they have pills that can stop this kind of behavior, I'll check it out.

[twu]

I know this isn't the advice you're asking for, but when my cat(s) weren't peeing in the correct place, I locked them both in the bathroom (with a tile floor, no stains) until they learned to use the litter box. Eventually, the errant cat learned from the cat that was using the litter box correctly.

[frenchie]

Well, maybe he won't listen to you, but if your son has known Dora for all of his life, maybe he will convince your FH... Kids can be really cute when they love an animal... The other cat's main problem is with your kid. But Dora loves him.

[PGDesigns]

How many litterboxes are in the house? Rule of thumb...one for each cat, plus one.

What other steps have you tried?

[Doglover]

I wouldn't give up! Does the cat go outside? And i do not recommend locking your cat in the bathroom, that is mean. If you love your kitty I would not give it away, and don't give it to a shelter either unless it's a no kill :)

[TangoWedding]

As far as not wanting to get rid of your cat, you say, "I'm not getting rid of my cat, sorry dear." That's what I'd say, anway. :grinhappy:

For the pooping thing...PGDesigns is right about the 2 litterboxes. I would keep one where it is and then put the other in the front hallway near where the cat is pooping. When the cat starts using it, slowly start to move it (a couple of feet at a time) toward where you want it. The cat should follow.

Cats can be territorial. He's just pissed off that 1) there are too many humans in his space and 2) his space isn't his space anymore.

If Dora isn't the problem, she shouldn't get punished for it, IMO. I'd fight tooth and nail to keep my fur child.

[Doglover]

oh and make sure you keep the littler box CLEAN, my cat would go off the side if there was to much poo or pee in it.