Pooping outside litter box?

[4Beans]

My almost 2 year old neutered male started pooping outside the box this past week. Poop is normal. He’s eating/drinking well. He will pee in the box but will pick a spot near the box (in our bathroom) and poop on the floor. I caught him yesterday thinking about it and placed him in the box and he went. Today I caught him after the fact and took him back in to the bathroom to show him I wasn’t pleased and he buried his face in my chest. So he fully knows it’s wrong.

We have 2 boxes. He rarely uses the second box. He has a brother 6 months older with no issues.

we switched litter 3 + weeks ago but he was using it fine until last week. Litter is scooped multiple times a day, entire box is emptied and washed twice a week.

he had his check up at the vet a month ago and is totally healthy.

any ideas why this might be happening or how to stop it?

 

[Bailey21]

You could try filling the second litter box with the original litter and see if he still goes outside the box or not? At least that's how I see eliminating a litter issue.

 

[Yoda mom]

agree with a litter box with his old litter

keep us updated.. surely frustrating... be sure to clean the area with an enzyme cleaner

you can also reinforce good behavior when he exists the box after going , verbal praise and a treat.
I still do it randomly... worked for a stud bengal I adopted a long time ago.

sounds like he may have a disdain for the new litter? is it scented and the same texture?
some kittiies dislike scented litters,

 

[Yoda mom]

@4Beans, just brainstorming here... any chance he is upset with any neighs kitties visiting and peeking in the windows?
we have seen that cause out of box issues too

 

[Catzzzmeow]

This might be helpful. Sphynx pooping or peeing outside the litter box

You changing the litter back might be a simple fix. Maybe adding a third box with old litter is worth a try.

 

[Toa and Ross]

I would start with filling the second litter box woth the old litter to see what happens.

 

[4Beans]

Just wanted to update. I bought a much bigger litter box, didn’t realize how small theirs was. And I went back to the old litter. Not an accident since. I’m so glad it was an easy fix and my boy is much happier digging around and making a mess in the new box!!

 

[Yoda mom]

@4Beans yah ! great update! I know my tall boys love the bigger litter boxes too! hope you can share the brand/pic of the litterbox. will be useful to membership too

 

[Catzzzmeow]

So happy to see this update. They can be finicky...kudos to you for trying everything to make them happy.