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Dog or cat pooping in house.

Species: Dog
Breed: cocker/dachsund mix
Age: 1-2 years
Everyday – twice a day – morning and when I get home from work – in the same exact spot I find a poop. I have 2 dogs and 3 cats but the size of my daily present can only be from 2 of my children. I have a doggie dog, so the dogs go out and in freely – and potty outside as they wish. I have 3 litter boxes and all are used and cleaned several times a day. I think this is a behavior problem and do not know how to handle it. Is it laziness??? My dogs go out in the morning - everyone get their breakfast and while I am in the shower – a poop is left when I get out – in the same spot everyday. Is the grass wet and we don’t like to potty on it?? Is it even the little dog? My very large cat (he has the same size poop as my little dog) has had attitude since we adopted the new little dog - @ 2 months now – that is how long this situation has been going on. I have not caught either in the act. I am at my wits end and do not know what to do, but I am tired of my house being a potty box. Please help!!!


Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

Well this is definitely a frustrating problem! The first thing we need to do is see if we can figure out which animal is doing this.

I have an idea. With your small dog's next meal, add in about 1/4 cup of rice. And keep giving him rice with each meal for a few days until we figure out who the culprit is. Within a day or two of feeding the rice, your dog's stool should have some rice in it. So, if you are seeing rice in the stool then we know it is the dog and otherwise it is the cat. (If the dog won't eat rice then you can try corn as it will do the same thing.)

My guess is that it is likely the cat as cats tend to develop bad behaviors like this more than dogs do.

If it is the cat, here are a few things you can try:
-temporarily covering the area with aluminum foil or double sided tape as cats hate stepping on either of these things. If we can break the habit then after a couple of weeks you should be able to remove the foil/tape.
-Put a litter box in the exact spot where the poop is happening. Then, each day move it a few inches towards where you would like to have the cat pooping. Eventually we should be able to break the habit.

If this is not working then you could talk to your vet about stress relieving products such as feliway or a medication called amitryptyline.

I hope this helps!
Dr. Marie.

---This question was asked in our Ask A Vet For Free section.---


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Disclaimer: Although Dr. Marie is a qualified veterinarian, the information found on this site is not meant to replace the advice of your own veterinarian. AskAVetQuestion.com and Dr. Marie do not accept any responsibility for any loss, damage, injury, death, or disease which may arise from reliance on information contained on this site. Do not use information found on this site for diagnosing or treating your pet. Anything you read here is for information only.

Customer reply:

Thank you for the reply - but the other morning I caught the culprit – it is my dog – I yelled at her and locked her outside for 30 minutes. Since this happened I have locked my 2 dogs in my room while I get ready in the morning and I have no pooh – however it would be nice to have all the doors open without finding a present. I am not sure why she does this or how to prevent her future presents is I was not to keep her in my room in the mornings.


Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

This is a tough one! Here are a few things I can advise:

-If you do see that she has defecated in the house - don't get mad at her. Then, she will try to do her poops when you are not watching and this will lead to more "presents."

-When she does defecate outside lavish her with praise and treats.

-Take her out about 30 minutes after each meal and also after she has had a sleep. This way she has more opportunity to go in a correct spot.

-Continue to lock her up when you are not watching her. After a couple of weeks she may have broken the habit and retaught herself where the appropriate place to go is.

---This question was asked in our Ask A Vet For Free section.---



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Dr. MarieDr. Marie is a veterinarian who practices in a busy animal hospital in Ottawa, Ontario. She created Ask A Vet Question as a resource for good, accurate veterinary advice online. Dr. Marie treats dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and rats. She has been a vet since 1999.

Is an online vet visit just as good as a trip to your veterinarian? No! But, many times, asking an online veterinarian a question can help save you money. While Dr. Marie can't officially diagnose your pet or prescribe medications, she can often advise you on whether a vet visit is necessary. You can also ask Dr. Marie for a second opinion on your pet's condition.