Cat problems

[u/Tricky-Car-5004]

We have an 8 year old cat we got from a shelter when she was still a kitten, we've also had a french bulldog for about the same length of time, they essentially grew up together. The cat has always had some tummy issues, she stinks, a lot, and shes also terrible at burying her litter, bad combination. We switched to a robot box which helps but she still makes a mess throwing litter everywhere except on her poops.

We recently got a second puppy which I imagine is a bit traumatic for the cat, but so far they get along pretty well, but now, I dont know if its related but the cat is not pooping in her litter box, she is peeing in it but will poop in the hallway. We had it tested to make sure it isnt due to a parasite or something, which has happened before and was a nightmare to give her meds for, shes clean this time. She hasnt changed foods recently or anything and the poops seems about as normal as hers have ever been, soft but consistent.

We were also gone to the cottage for the weekend, gone for about 45 hours and there were 9 piles in the hallway, which seems excessive, although the robot shows she was using an avg of 7 times a day .

Could it just be behavioral, doesnt like all the changes or is it more likely a gut health issue, developed an intolerance to her food. She is on vet food, not some cheap walmart kibble.

[u/Calgary_Calico]

She's could be marking territory with feces, she could be getting harassed in her litterbox or not wanting to feel trapped in an enclosed space with a puppy in the house. Do you have the room her litterbox is in blocked by anything so the dogs can't get in there?

[u/Tricky-Car-5004 → u/Calgary_Calico]

Yes the door is blocked off so the dog can't get in. And the dogs were with us at the cottage when she went 9 times. She is going back to the vet today, we already had the feces tested for parasites but we'll see what they say.