[BrindleNBell]

We have a 5 month old female who will not stop pooping in her cage. Not only does she poop in there, she walks all through it and gets it all over the place including herself. She ends up having 2 baths a day at this rate and its driving me insane. The only time she's in her cage is if I go out somewhere during the day (I'm a stay at home mom) and during the night. She is in her cage at night anywhere from 6-8 hours at a time. If she goes poop before bedtime around 11pm, I KNOW she can wait until 7am. I was wondering if perhaps since she smells her poop on her cage (even though its been cleaned many many times very well) that she thinks she should go there??? I know her cage is maybe a bit big right now, but not sure how to divide part of it off. Anyone have any suggestions? I'm at my wits end!

 

[HannaBanana]

I am thinking the crate is too big for her.  Esp if she can poop in it and step in it.    Best to get some kind of divider to make it smaller.   Then she should not do it because if she does she most likely will be laying in it, and they dont like to do that.

 

[CosmosMommy]

When Cosmo was little, we had an older crate that the didn't make dividers for. So...we had to rig one up! We actually took a piece of plywood, drilled some holes in it, then wrapped it in blankets (so he couldn't get splinters), then used wire to tie it to the inside of the crate....making a barrier. It worked out really well.

 

[Britneysdad]

Yes that

 

[maplesfolks]

maybe she gets anxious when left alone in the crate during the day? have you tried a kong or something to keep her occupied? I know when I left mine in the crate for more than 15 mins at a time she would poop and I know it's not because she needed to go because she had recently gone, but I think it's anxiety, she needs to be broken in slowly.

 

[jennyc]

Your babies are beautiful!!! I have an 18 mth old boxer who was having issues with this...he would get so anxious in the crate when we left that we never knew what to expect when we got home--poop, pee, or one time the wire crate broken in pieces and our kitchen in shambles... ...it is so frustrating as a boxer mommy because you feel out of control...well to fix him braking the crate we got him a plastic and smaller crate. He now has a companion..a little sis that looks just like your little one..and he is 100% better.

Maybe she is having anxiety in her crate...

 

[PlaYtiMe24_7]

Definitely sounds like its too big. We just used Xena's crate when we got Zoe and didnt have a divider. She pooped in it all the time. Now that shes 4 1/2 months, shes grown alot so theres less space and she rarely ever poops in it now unless I'm out and about for a loooong time and havent let her out. Try buying a divider or making one how Cosmosmommy said.

 

[BrindleNBell]

Thanks everyone! We actually rigged up a divider (we took the back portion of the cage, and just moved it up to the middle, cutting off half the cage size). Last night was our first night trying this, and no poop! We've had poop the last 4 nights in a row, so that was a huge success. Slowly, but surely hopefully this will help. I appreciate everyone's advice!

 

[Guest]

Thats great!

 

[JeepKuntry]

I was gonna suggest that the crate was to big, glad everybody else helped you out.  Good luck with your girl!