pooping cat - behavioural?

[shnen]

My boyfriends family recently lost their great dane of 8 years, it was a sudden death, and hit the whole family hard, even the tormented cat.

The cat (Tiggy) is 14 years old and in not so great health, he was quite quiet and undemanding when the dog was around - and was continuously chased around... but now the dog is gone he goes around the house whining and crying and has been pooping everywhere.

Pretty sure it's behavioural since it has been directly effected by the dogs absence, and he is peeing in the litter box, but not pooping - and everything has stayed the same, except the missing dog.

They don't know what to do about the cat, who has already ruined 3 rugs, a winter jacket, a school bag and a couch.

Any ideas on how to fix it, or deal with it?

Thanks guys - the family has already been through so much with their dog dying, and this is just adding to the pain.

[vene]

I'm sorry for your boyfriend's family's loss and Tiggy's unhappiness. If health problems have been ruled out by his vet, maybe introducing a new pet like a puppy or a kitten will bring him out of his mood. He'd have something new to look foward to and keep him occupied. Besides major cleanings using Oxi Clean, Nature's Miracle, Zout (spelling?), to get rid of the poop smells, I'd use Cat Attract litter to encourage Tiggy to properly defacate again. Give him a treat each time he properly uses the litter box. I used to house sit 2 cats that were 13 years old. Their owners went away for 2 weeks and they started defacating in all the wrong places. I think they were protesting the changes in the household.

http://www.xmission.com/~emailbox/coping.htm

http://www.catdoctor98.com/health/elimination.html

http://www.boston.com/yourlife/home/articles/2005/08/18/seeing_life_from_a_cats_viewpoint_could_solve_some_problems/?page=2

[shnen]

thanks so much for your help Vene!

we think its just cuz he really liked being harassed by Shubert and now he's gone he is lonely and protesting.

I will pass along the Cat Attract litter idea to them!