The Cat Middening Solution That Worked for Me (And My Cat) – Updated 2022
I know that for some people, cat middening is an unsavory word. But for me, it’s a solution to a major pet issue—and I want to help as many other cat owners as I can along the way.
I found my cat middening on a rainy day. I thought I had a serious medical condition. I’d been having a sore throat for weeks and thought it was strep.
I went to my doctor thinking I was dying. When I arrived, he said, “You don’t have strep, you have a viral infection that has caused an abscess and you will need an abscess draining.”
What Is Middening and How Is It Different from General Defecation Issues?
At the outset, I’d like to make it clear why Middening is distinct from other feline bowel disorders. Marking its territory by defecating in random places, or “middening,” is a behavior commonly associated with cats.
None of the usual factors that cause a cat to quit using its litter box—such as illness, problems with the litter, or a change in the box’s location—are at play in their decision to defecate elsewhere.
You may rest assured that they are leaving feces in strategic, high-traffic areas around your house as a territorial mark.
This is done in public places so that no other cats may accidentally step in it. The fact that they aren’t trying to conceal it in the laundry, beneath the rug, or anywhere else a mischievous cat could look is a relief.
However, this doesn’t make the problem any less challenging. Soiled toilet paper is still a recurring problem for you. Or even worse, in inconvenient places like atop a cabinet, on a bed, and so on, where cleanup is more of a hassle.
What sets middening apart from other urination problems is that your cat is doing it on purpose, in plain sight, to leave their fragrance and communicate with other cats.
Cat Middening Solution – How I Stopped My Cat Middening
I noted above that I acquired an 8-month-old kitty a few years back; despite being friendly, content, and at ease in my house from the get-go, she nonetheless made daily middens.
That first night, she slept at my feet. When I went to bed, she was still there, and when I woke up, she was still there.
On the other hand, there was a pile of feces on the step leading down to the basement. I checked the litter box, and she had already relieved herself there, so she was familiar with the location and content with the litter.
For some reason, I assumed it was just a matter of getting used to the new environment. However, it occurred again the following night, then again the following night, and so on for about a week.
She had a habit of defecating at the entryway to my home, towards the foot of my stairs, and in the doorway to my kitchen.
Each of the primary thoroughfares through which household members routinely circulated. I thought it may be middening, but I still brought her to the vet to be sure and get their opinion.
The conclusion reached by the rest of the world’s experts was verified by my vet. It appeared like she was middening.
My vet gave me some advice based on her experience helping other cat owners with the same issue.
She recommended several items, a behavioral specialist, and some suggestions for restricting my cat’s nighttime movements.
My doctor suggested a plug-in diffuser that produces pheromones to “imitate” the chemicals cats release when they are relaxed and content, so I figured that would be a good place to start.
It is increasingly typical to employ these sprays and diffusers to reduce aggressive behavior in multi-cat households and to eliminate other litter box concerns related to worry and stress. Although I was aware of their existence, I had never before needed one.
To make sure these items are completely safe, I started reading a ton of customer feedback and asking around in certain cat owner communities I’m a part of.
The latter of which they are. After reading about the benefits of these diffusers for persons with similar issues, I found generally favorable comments and anecdotes.
I’ve seen a few people say that it doesn’t matter what you do. In my experience, it is common for items and methods designed to remedy or fix a behavioral problem to have mixed success.
Don’t take my experience as gospel; every cat is a unique, and you never know how he or she will react.
The Feliway diffuser did not help me, but I have good news: it helped my cat!
Within three to four hours of plugging it in, I noticed a difference in my kitten’s demeanor. In the space where it was activated, she exhibited signs of curiosity. I saw that she was more at ease, and she was taking her time exploring the space.
I came downstairs the next morning hoping to see the customary “gift,” but there was none.
I looked in all the typical defecation locations. Nothing. I took sure to double-check everything in case the plugin caused her to look for a more covert location. nothing!
Despite the diffusers’ claimed 30-day lifespan, I only got around 25 days out of mine. I was able to get my hands on a pair and just use them in succession.
In spite of the fact that the middening had ceased instantly and there had been just one mishap in the first month, I decided to use both of them out of an abundance of caution.
You can find the identical item I used here:
Feliway for Cats Diffuser Plug-In Starter Kit
A clickable Amazon link has been provided so that you can see current pricing, read reviews, and determine if it is available in your area.
Click Here to Check Price on Amazon
Feliway Spray for Cats
If you’d rather spray your cat’s marking or pooping places, I discovered a reasonably priced spray at BudgetPetCare.com:
Click Here to Check Price on Budgetpetcare.com
Conclusion
When it comes to your cat middens, you should take them seriously and not only pay attention to what they do but also try to figure out why they’re doing it.
If you find a cat that seems to be making a mess and isn’t eating, give him some food, then try to figure out why he’s making a mess. It might be because he’s depressed or has cancer.
If you see an obvious and consistent pattern in his behavior, there might be a reason behind it. A cat midden is a cat’s way of telling you something.
FAQ
What is Middening in cats?
How do you stop a cat from pooping territory?
- Clean Up the Evidence. …
- Reevaluate the Litter Box. …
- Consider the Litter. …
- Work on Training. …
- Deter Your Cat From Using Inappropriate Areas. …
- Reduce Stress in Your Home. …
- Improve Your Cat’s Environment and Play With Your Cat Daily. …
- Be Patient and Consistent.
Do outdoor cats poop to mark territory?
What to do with a cat that keeps pooping in the house?
- Clean the litter tray frequently. …
- If it’s related to a health condition. …
- Provide a safe place for your kitty. …
- If you have multiple cats. …
- Give plenty of playtime opportunities. …
- Human interaction is very important. …
- Try not to disrupt your cat’s sense of smell.
source https://catshint.com/cat-middening-solution-that-worked-for-me-and-my-cat/
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