It’s morning, and you wake up to find that your cat has pooped on the floor. Later, when you go into another room, you discover that your cat has also pooped on the sofa. This behavior may leave you wondering: Why is my cat pooping outside the litter box?
If this is the first time or an occasional occurrence, there may be no need to worry, as such accidents can happen. However, if it happens daily, it’s important to address the issue. Since cats cannot communicate with us verbally, they use changes in behavior to signal that they need help when experiencing physical discomfort or other problems.
Pooping outside the litter box often indicates that something is wrong. The issue could be medical, related to the litter box, or environmental.
The very first step you should take is to visit your vet as soon as possible. If a medical issue is diagnosed, follow the vet’s advice. If not, consult a cat behaviorist to address the problem. Be sure to inform both your vet and the behaviorist how long your cat has been pooping outside the litter box.
Cats can develop habits, and if they repeatedly poop in specific places without the issue being diagnosed and resolved, it can be challenging to stop the behavior.
Key Takeaways
· Visit your vet as soon as possible if your cat is pooping outside the litter box.
· If no medical issue is found, consult a cat behaviorist to address the behavior.
· Do not punish your cat during the recovery process; it is not their fault.
· Always provide your cat with an extra litter box: one for pee and one for poop.
Help Your Vet
Provide your vet with the following details if possible:
- Any changes you notice in the size of the poop.
- Changes in the color of the poop.
- The consistency of your cat’s poop.
- Whether your cat cries during pooping.
- Whether your cat plays as usual or not.
This information will be beneficial for treating your cat as soon as possible. If you can, making a video of the whole process might also help.
Reasons Your Cat Is Pooping Outside the Litter Box
Medical Conditions
In most cases, medical conditions are found to be the reason why cats poop outside the litter box. Some of these conditions include the following:
Digestive problems
Constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, diarrhea, food allergies, pancreatitis, vomiting, weight loss, acute gastroenteritis, Giardia, hairballs, and other digestive problems can cause pain for cats. This pain leads cats to avoid using their litter box, and they may start to poop on the sofa, bed, carpet, etc.
To treat digestive problems, your vet will perform various tests, including Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, stool tests, blood tests, magnetic resonance imaging, esophageal motility study, ultrasound, capsule endoscopy, and hydrogen breath test, among others.
Arthritis
Arthritis is another reason why cats might avoid using the litter box and instead poop where they find a suitable spot. Signs that a cat may have arthritis include:
- Difficulty in moving
- Inability to groom their coat
- Difficulty jumping to high places
- Tiredness
- Joint pain
- Reduced movement
- Irritability
- Difficulty using the litter tray
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to consult with your vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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Dementia:
Dementia in cats can also cause them to avoid using the litter box. In cases of dementia, common signs include changes in sleeping patterns, confusion, and disorientation. Cats may feel restless and anxious, and you might notice excessive licking or a complete lack of self-grooming.
Soiling and urinating away from the litter tray can occur, along with a noticeable decrease in social interaction. Not only this, but irritability and aggression are often seen behaviors in cats suffering from dementia.
Old Age
Older cats often have joint problems, which can make it difficult for them to walk, even to get inside the litter box. As a result, they may end up doing their business on the sofa, floor, or even your bed.
For older cats, it’s important to visit your vet once a week to diagnose any underlying issues. Additionally, providing your older cat with a litter box that has lower sides can help make it easier for them to use.
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Diabetes
Diabetes can also be a reason why cats poop outside the litter box. In this disease, cats show several signs, with weight loss, lethargy and weakness, vomiting, and being more prone to infections being the most common.
Your vet can treat diabetes in cats by using insulin. Some types of insulin that may be used include:
- Protamine zinc insulin
- Glargine
- Detemir insulin
Other Medical Reasons
Other medical reasons that can cause cats to poop outside the litter box include:
- Kidney disease
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Urinary tract infection
- Pain or injury
These conditions can make it uncomfortable or difficult for cats to use the litter box, leading to accidents around the home.
Litter Box Problems
There are two major issues that can cause a cat to poop outside the litter box: medical problems and litter box issues. While problems like home shifting and boredom can be managed and understood more easily, these two are of greater concern.
If your cat is bored or depressed, spending quality time with them can often resolve the issue. However, if a medical problem is the cause, you will need to visit a vet who may perform tests, which can be a tiring process. Similarly, if the issue is with the litter box, it might not be immediately obvious. Problems could be related to the type of litter, the height of the litter box sides, or other preferences your cat might have, making it a time-consuming process to identify and resolve.
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Now, let’s discuss the litter box problems that might lead your cat to poop outside the litter box.
The litter box location is wrong
The location of the litter box is crucial for its effective use. Cats prefer privacy, so if the litter box is placed in a high-traffic area, your cat might avoid using it and look for a quieter spot.
To ensure your cat uses the litter box, avoid placing it near the kitchen, noisy appliances like washing machines, in dark or confined spaces, near food and water bowls, in high-traffic areas, or close to their sleeping area.
Instead, place the litter box in a quiet, private area that is easily accessible and well-ventilated. These conditions will give your cat the privacy they need to use the litter box comfortably.
The litter box is the wrong type
There are many types of litter boxes available on the market, including:
- Open Litter Box
- Covered Litter Box
- Self-Cleaning Litter Box
- Top-Entry Litter Box
Finding the best one for your cat can be challenging. The best solution is to provide your cat with different types of litter boxes placed in recommended areas and observe which one they prefer. Generally, higher-sided and covered litter boxes are not always recommended.
Color selection is also important. Cats tend to prefer colors like yellow and blue, so trying these colors might improve the likelihood of your cat using the litter box. If your cat isn’t using a particular type of litter box, the type or color might be the issue.
The box isn’t clean
Yes, it’s true—if the litter box isn’t clean, your cat may look for other, cleaner areas to do their business. Cats are very particular about cleanliness and prefer a clean and calm environment. To keep your cat happy, make sure to provide a clean litter box by scooping it daily. If you have more than one cat, you should scoop the litter box multiple times a day to maintain cleanliness and prevent your cat from seeking alternative spots.
There isn’t an extra litter box
Many cat owners observe that their cat uses the litter box for urine but not for poop, even when there are no medical issues. The reason for this behavior often boils down to a simple rule:
If you have one cat, you should provide two litter boxes—one for urine and one for poop. For households with two cats, it is recommended to have three litter boxes. This is because dominant cats may assert control over one box, and having a spare litter box can ensure that each cat has a clean and accessible option. This setup helps prevent your cat from avoiding the litter box altogether.
Litter problems
Litter plays a vital role in the use of the litter box. If the litter in the box is not soft, eco-friendly, and unscented, your cat might avoid using it and may instead poop outside the box or on the floor nearby.
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Additionally, cats prefer clean litter and like to bury their waste. If there isn’t enough litter for them to bury their poop, they may refuse to use the box.
Behavioral Problems
When we discuss behavioral problems, depression and anxiety come first. Cats in anxiety and depression show differences in their behavior, including starting to poop outside the litter box.
Cats become depressed and anxious when you move from one home to another, introduce a new pet into the home, continuously change your furniture and home settings, do not provide engaging toys to play with, or due to medical problems.
In older cats, behavioral issues are more common than in younger ones. Joint problems, kidney disease, and dental issues make them less energetic, change their overall health, and lead them to become depressed and avoid using the litter box. As a result, they will poop outside the litter box.
How To Prevent Your Cat from Pooping Outside Their Litter Box
To stop your cat from pooping everywhere, follow these steps:
- Train your cat to use the litter box.
- Visit your vet to determine if your cat has any medical problems. If your cat is healthy, focus on the following steps.
- Provide each cat with two litter boxes: one for peeing and one for pooping. If you have multiple cats, provide one more litter box than the number of cats. For example, if you have three cats, you should have four litter boxes.
- Place the litter boxes in clean and quiet areas.
- Avoid placing litter boxes near the cat’s food bowl, automatic feeder, sleeping area, or near noisy electric appliances.
- Choose soft, unscented, eco-friendly, non-tracking litter.
- Put enough litter in the box so your cat can easily bury its poop.
- Clean the litter box daily and change the litter when it gets dirty or smelly.
- Spend quality time playing with your cat to reduce their stress and anxiety.
- Avoid changing the position of the litter box frequently.
- Always select a low-sided litter box and avoid covered litter boxes.
- Avoid sudden changes in furniture arrangements. If you do change the settings and your cat is always with you, they may become stressed and avoid using the litter box.
- Do not punish your cat; patience is key throughout the process.
- Reward your cat when they use the litter box properly.
Cat Pooping Outside the Litter Box FAQs
Do cats poop outside the litter box for attention?
No, this is not the reason. Sometimes this might occur if you have not spent time with your vet, but most of the time, it occurs due to medical issues like digestive problems, diabetes, kidney disease, and joint problems.
Why does my cat pee in the litter box but poop outside?
They need separate boxes for each business—one for pooping and one for peeing. So, provide your cat with two litter boxes: one for peeing and one for pooping.
Should I punish my cat for pooping outside the litter box?
No, you can’t punish your cat. Try to identify the reason by consulting with your vet to check for any underlying medical issues. Sometimes this behavior might be due to litter box problems, and other times it may be caused by behavioral reasons such as stress and anxiety.
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