Help solving litter-tray related issue!

boots_babe

Hi all,

One of our cats has started an unfortunate habit. After going in the litter tray, he often seems to wipe his bum (sorry!) outside it, on the floor. Sometimes leaving a smear, sometimes leaving something bigger

Has anyone else had this problem? We thought if we could buy some sort of suitable covering to put down around the litter tray, something easily cleanable but somehow textured to help with the wiping if you see what I mean.

Any ideas gratefully received as it's getting to be somewhat of a pain at the moment.

Thanks.

KxMx

Have you witnessed that it is wiping?

Bum wiping/scooting along on floor is usually a sign of worms.

Could they be droppings instead? Maybe he is not judging when he is finished and leaves the tray too soon.

Have you thought of a bigger tray?

DCFC79

Not an expert but is it possible there is a reason he doing it.

boots_babe

I did consider that, but to be honest since we got him from a rescue place he's always been rather clumsy in the litter tray, not at all like our other cats who are always delicate.

I don't think it's a case of deliberately smearing on the floor as such, as sometimes it's on the edge of the litter tray as though he brushed the edge as he came out (it's an enclosed tray).

I did wonder if any medical reason but not convinced, I think he's just a bit careless

WibblyGirly

Our cat scoots on the rug! I don't think he has worms as we haven't seen any. We did take him to vets who squeezed his anal glands, which he obviously hated. Still scoots though. I think it's cos he's overweight and finds it hard to clean his butt so gets itchy and scoots to clean himself.

GwylimT

What are his stools like?

When was he last wormed?

When were his anal glands last expressed?

Pop_Up_Pirate

Cats don't need their anal glands expressing.

Worm him, if that doesn't help, stop feeding him dry foods.

zoebeth

My cat does this now and again when he seems to have the last bit stuck to him, (sorry!) but unlike your puss, mine jumps up on the sofa and drags himself about on the cushion until my screeching scares him off!

If he is on a dry diet consider changing him to wet food. It might just be constipation.

GwylimT

Pop_Up_Pirate wrote: »

Cats don't need their anal glands expressing.

Worm him, if that doesn't help, stop feeding him dry foods.

Many do to prevent infection, as just as with dogs, some cats need help emptying them.

greenbee

GwylimT wrote: »

Many do to prevent infection, as just as with dogs, some cats need help emptying them.

Particularly if they are old or have problems with eating/digestion as there may not be enough pressure from bowel movements to keep the anal glands stimulated. Having them dealt with is clearly unpleasant for the cat, but can often resolve problems.

Pop_Up_Pirate

GwylimT wrote: »

Many do to prevent infection, as just as with dogs, some cats need help emptying them.

No, they don't. This is a modern man's idea.

A healthy cat on a normal cat diet does not ever need anal glands expressed by a human.