I just adopted a stray cat who is approximately 2 or 3 years old. He has been living outside, and now is adjusting to living indoors again. He will use the litter box to urinate but will not use it to defecate in. He prefers to use the floor. I have tried putting him in the bathroom with his food on one side and the litter box at the other and still, he poops on the floor. I have also tried a different brand of litter and he has a separate box from our other cat. Any suggestions on how to get him to use the box to poop? Thanks!"

I know little about cats - very little, in fact - but my sister has a stray that uses one box to urinate and another to defacate and if the "defacate" box is 100% clean he defacates on the floor.

I'm a dog person so this is alien to me - but that's what she has had to do (keep and clean 3 boxes, one for urine, one to defacate and a spare). She can't use the litter that you can scoop and leave the rest - it has to be fresh all the time.

You might try using two large litter boxes in the bathroom, and if your cat still goes on the floor, place it in one of the boxes. Maybe put a chair or other furniture on the spot that the cat goes, this will block that spot this way your cat will not have to make a decision as where to go. Also have the anal glands expressed in case they are impacted.

Try giving him a treat after he uses it even if he uses it once! Do you have any other animals in your house? Has he been eating and drinking? Is he going to the bathroom in the same spot around the house? I would suggest trying to show him that it is good to use the litter box, after he does once, by giving him a treat. He is still adjusting to his new lifestyle so it will take time! You should try asking your vet for any tips, as maybe they could provide some. Good luck for him!

Those are all good suggestions, and worth a try. In the mean time, you can put down paper next to the litter box, to make clean up easier.