Hi there, I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this behavior.

About 3 months ago we switched to using a self-scooping litter box (ScoopFree). One of my two cats tried eating the litter at first, but they both got used to it and use it regularly. The only thing is, whenever we changed the litter tray, which happens every two weeks, the same cat who tried to eat the litter will poop on our bed. As soon as the fresh litter is in place and everything is ready for him, he will go to the bed and poop.

He had an isolated incident where he pooped in our bed prior to the ScoopFree, which we put down to him eating cat grass that was really long. It seemed like it was the cat grass which made him have an accident on the bed somehow. He pooped on the bed twice that day. As long as we keep the bed made, he doesn't seem to use it, but when the litter is changed, he always tries to poop on the bed. He knows he shouldn't by now, so if we stand there, he will dig at the bed and then seem to change his mind, then use the litter box.

I'm not sure if the fact that we change it out is bothering him, and if maybe we should try reserving some dirty litter and putting it on the clean litter, or if there's something else going on. I also wondered if he doesn't see the crystal litter as appropriate to use when it's clean, since once or twice we caught him trying to eat it. Still, it's been 3 months, so is it too late for him to get used to the crystal litter?

I also want to mention that we plan to take him to the vet over this issue and another issue he has (chewing on fluffy clothing, socks, elastic, plastic, and rubber) in January when we have money coming in. We feed him Science Diet on recommendation from the vet (switched from Wysong, which we thought was good). He's around two, two and a half years old.

Edited to add: I just remembered that when he started having accidents he would also do a LOT of meowing sometimes before going to the litter box. He would meow the meow he uses when he's about to puke so I thought he was sick. Although I can't say for sure, my intuition made me feel like he really didn't want to use the litter box and I started to think he was having an anal gland problem. But now he no longer meows like that, and only tends toward the bed when the litter is changed. Still, I wonder if there's any way the vet can check on this for us.

He also had a few incidents where he pooped on the bed without us messing with the litter, but it seems like his urge to use the bed gets renewed whenever the liter is changed. Again, if the bed is made, he doesn't seem to use it. If it's not made, he uses the sheets to bury his deed.

My very first thought is to keep him out of the bedroom. Secondly leave a little of the soiled litter in the litter ray when you change so it still smells the same. Thirdly how about having two trays so that when one is changed the other is still available. Fourthly don't change the tray when he is around, pop him in the bathroom or make sure he is fast asleep. Fifthly you need to clean your bed with something like simple solution to make sure ALL the smells are gone even the ones our noses can't detect but his can - it might be worth investing in brand new bedding as he has done it a few times. Sixthly get him checked over by a vet. And seventhly don't let him near your bed unsupervised.

__________________
please look at my website - www.finesthourcats.webs.com - for gorgeous GCCF registered RagaMuffins and Selkirk Rex

My thoughts exactly...
He doesn't seem to recognize his litter as his, when his smell is no longer in it. Some cats protest by pooping elsewhere if you don't immediately clean up after them, other cats need to have their scent on the tray to use it.

__________________
Jiskefet & the mognificent Dutch bunch

My little angels at the rainbow bridge