If your cat suddenly started pooping outside its box, you might wonder why your feline kid is doing this. Well, this can be a signal for you to check on your cat. Any cat owner feels the frustration of their cat pooping outside, leaving its litter box. You are in the right place if you are frustrated with your cat’s sudden change. This article will be an eye-opener for you. You will get answers to all the questions eating up your brain.
You are not alone if your cat shows this unpleasant sign of pooping outside its litter box. It can be a sign of behavioral change, stress, or other health issues. Though you can take your cat to the vet, you can easily find the best solutions and the reason behind this unpleasant behavior.
Why is my Cat Pooping Outside the Litter Box?
Before understanding why your cat is not pooping inside the litter box, there is something that every cat owner should know. No one likes it if someone restricts us from doing anything. Right? Then why do you think that your cats should agree to your restrictions? Cat behavior and wellness expert Galaxy says that before 1947, there was nothing like the litter box concept.
There were no restrictions for the cats to poop, only here or there. But when suddenly there was this introduction of the litter box, and just for the sake of their owners, cats agreed to the concept of a litter box. So, in a nutshell, the cat’s gene is not made for the litter box; it’s a new concept for them that they gratefully accepted.
Anyways, let’s get into the real problem, what might be the reason your cat is pooping outside the litter box.
1. Change of Litter Box:
Sudden changes in their type of litter box can become a big turn-off. Signs Your cat is already used to the other one; it might not like the new litter box. And in that case, they will throw tantrums and prefer pooping outside. And sometimes cats don’t like lids on their litter box. You may put caps to control the smell, but that won’t work effectively for kittens. Especially for larger felines, the lid in their litter box won’t be effective. They will feel suffocated. And sometimes, new and adopted cats don’t like open spaces. They want it to be lidded.
2. Change of Location:
Yes, a sudden change of location can be problematic. As already said in the evolution of litter boxes, the sudden change of location can be a turn-off for your cat. The new ambiance and the strange place can cause fear to your feline friend, and thus, it will ignore the litter box.
3. Change of Litter Box’s Location:
If you keep on changing the location of the litter box or the litter box is in a place where it is so crowded, consider changing it. Your feline friend doesn’t prefer that. Relocation of furniture, or in front of any door, anything new, your cat can easily find it, and it will avoid using its litter box.
4. Undiagnosed Disease:
Sometimes an undiagnosed disease can make your cat poop outside. In that case, you should take your feline friend and run to the vet. It is not just for pooping but make sure to take your cat to the vet monthly to find out if there are any underlying health issues. Issues like urinary tract infection, bowel disease, thyroid, diarrhea, and constipation can make your feline friend do messy work.
5. Messy, Dirty Litter Box:
An undesirable dirty litter box can be a “no-no” from your kitten friend. They are very sensitive. And don’t prefer using dirty and messy litter boxes. Cats are not just sharp but also very clean creatures. If the place seems dirty, they easily find another place to do their business. And the litter box too full can also be a turn-off for them.
6. Unpleasant Smell of the Litter Box:
The sensitive nose of the cats can smell anything easily. If the smell seems unpleasant or so strong, it will leave and go straight next door to complete its business. Please don’t add any string perfume to their litter box. Keeping it simple is good. And sometimes, the over and hard smell of the scrub you use to clean the litter box can also be a turn-off for your kitten. Going for an unscented litter can be preferable.
7. Arthritis:
Senior cats can develop arthritis. And that can cause many issues for the cat. And age-related problems can bring mobility issues to the cat. And this can make it difficult for the cats to reach their litter box and sit in a posture. The pain and uncomfortableness can make them poop inappropriately. It will cause them degenerative joint disease, another form of arthritis.
8. Scary Litter Box:
Cats are timid animals. They get frightened so easily. And this can ultimately result in stress, anxiety, and fear. But how is that concerned with litter boxes? Well, they don’t like scary or disturbing stuff. That means they get spooked out when the litter box is spooky or horrific. Your cat doesn’t select every other box. If the litter box is too small, too short, too big, or too deep, they don’t prefer it.
9. Stress or Anxiety:
Stress and anxiety can cause a huge difference in the pooping behavior of your kitten. Cats easily get stressed out. From moving to a new home, the addition of a new baby or new pet can cause stress to your feline friend. It can’t be easily curable, which can ultimately affect your cat’s behavior. It can make them change their behavior, thus pooping outside the box.
10. Territorial Issues:
Cats are sensitive and over-possessive. They don’t like sharing their space, owner, and their things with others. And litter boxes are not an exception. If your house has a new baby or you adopted a new pet, there is a dark neighborhood or a forest near your home, and, naturally, your cat poops outside the box. It’s normal for every animal to mark their territory with their feces.
11. Fear:
There are a lot of chances your cat can get scared. They are extremely timid and sensitive animals. It is more or less the same as anxiety. It can make them poop out of fear. And what are the things that can cause fear in your cat? Things like strong odor, unpleasant music, strangers’ sound, too much-unwanted attention on them, not enough attention and love from their owners, the addition of new animals, and loud noises can cause fear to your kitten, and this can cause them to poop outside their litter box.
12. Limited Litter box but multiple cats:
Cats are a bit selfish animals. They don’t prefer sharing what’s theirs, from food to their owners to their litter boxes. You are in danger if your house has multiple cats but a limited number of litter boxes. Cats don’t share their litter box, so there are chances that your cats won’t use the litter box.
13. No Prior Experience in Using Litter Box:
Sometimes when you adopt a cat or when you want to make your cat get used to the litter box suddenly, they might not like it. It will take time for it to follow any new behavior. So, in that case, there are many chances your new cat may poop outside their box.
14. Small Litter Box:
A small litter box can be a turn-off. There will be no space for the kitten to defecate peacefully in the little litter box.
15. The Texture of the Litter is not Pleasant:
Cats are generally so sensitive. The cats normally dig in the sand, poop, and close it. And they don’t prefer the litter to be more. Three inches of waste is more than enough for the felines. And not just the quantity but also the quality, texture, and smell can cause issues in the pooping of your cat.
16. Changed Routine:
Cats’ routines can change often. They won’t be the same every time. The patterns get changed according to their age. Sometimes, the delivery, losing a family member, or changing their diet can change their entire system. It can also be one of the causes of your cat pooping outside. So it’s better to keep checking their routine and do the needful.
17. Constipation and Diarrhea:
Constipation, diarrhea, or other health issues can easily make your cat uncontrollable. They couldn’t control themselves til finding their litter box, and they will do their business outside instead of litter.
18. Cats Love to Poop Wherever they Please.
Cats love places where they find the soil healthy, clean, and soft and can peacefully do their business. If the litter box is not pleasant and preferable for your pet, they will do their business outside.
How can I Stop My Cat From Pooping Everywhere?
We can understand the feline parent’s frustration when their feline friend starts pooping outside their litter box. While there may be many reasons for the kitten to poop out, there are some solutions that one can try to stop this.
Clean the Litter Box
Make sure to clean the litter box thoroughly. Cats are very sensitive animals. The upper respiratory part of the cat is extremely sensitive, and the smell in the litter box can be a turn-off for them. So clean the litter box without using any strong cleaner or scrub. Use fragrance-free cleaner. Scoop out the old litter, clean the box with a mild and unscented dish wash, air dry it, and fill it with fresh and unscented litter.
Regular Checkups for Diagnosing the Underlying Disease
As the cat grows, the sensitivity and the disease of its body also grow. A cat owner needs to take their kitten to the vet regularly. Also, as a cat owner, you might do something wrong without your knowledge. Make sure to periodically check up on the vet and update their diet with your vet so they can tell you what mistake you make with their diet.
Keep the Location the Same
Don’t suddenly change the location of your cat’s litter box. The cats don’t find it easy and comfortable to poop anywhere you keep them. They don’t prefer to poop in front of so many people. They don’t want to search for the litter box every time. Make sure the litter box is easily accessible for them.
Make Sure the Litter Box doesn’t have So Much Litter
Cats don’t easily prefer so much litter in their litter box. They usually poop and cover it with sand, expecting the same in the litter box. The litter should not be more than 3 inches. More litter can make them wallow, which can be a turn-off.
Add Extra Litter Box
If your house has multiple cats but a limited number of litter boxes, make sure to add a fresh litter box. Even if you have only two cats, make sure you have three litter boxes at different places. Because of the over-possessiveness of your feline animal, the cat may occupy all the litter boxes for themselves if you keep them in the same place.
Recreate the Preferred Area in the Litter Box
If your kitten has some preferred places for them to poop, why don’t you try recreating the same in the litter box? For example, let’s say your cat likes to poop in a particular tile; you can try and duplicate the same tile. It can easily solve the issue.
Try Switching Litter Types
Sometimes the cat doesn’t like the type of litter you use for them. Try switching to a different kind of litter. Don’t frequently change the litter. You can change if the cat prefers a litter box, but cats don’t like the type you use. Most of the cases, the texture, the smell, and the quality can disrupt the kitten.
Check the Diet
If your kitten suddenly changes the pooping style, this might also be because of the change in their diet. The cat’s diet should change according to the cat’s age, but constantly changing according to your wish can do cats no good. Make sure you check with the vet before adjusting any diet. If you are suddenly changing your cat’s diet, remember it will take 8 to 12 weeks to adapt to the new eating habit. So if your cat throws tantrums, be patient.
New Changes in Your House
Sometimes the new people, new baby, new animal, new location, furniture, and door can also become a disturbance for the cat. If the cat doesn’t like the new environment, ensure you aren’t forcing them to change completely. Try to involve them slowly. Try to recreate the old location in the new place.
How to Stop Your Cat from Pooping in Your Yard?
Cats love to roam around your yard. And if you love gardening and make your yard look fancy with so many flowers and plants, you don’t like your pet to defecate in your yard. But since the cat roams mostly in the yard, it’s natural that they poop in your yard instead of the litter box. Well, the following few ways can protect your yard.
- Clean the yard and remove the smell of the cat’s poop. The cats are Highly hypersensitive to smell and can easily go where they pooped before. So remove the poop and the smell.
- If your cat still goes to the garden, you can plant some thorny flowers in your garden. Cactus or rose trees can be perfect.
- Try cat-repellent plants like rosemary, lavender, curry leaves, etc. Which cats find unpleasant
- Use cat-repellent sprays. There are so many sprays in the market specially made for the cat, which they find unpleasant and never step their foot in those places where this smell comes from. Example? Well, vinegar and lemongrass can be great.
- Try creating a little border with the fresh coffee grounds. Coffees are a major turn-off for coffee.
Why do Cats Poop on the Floor at Night?
If your cat is pooping on the floor suddenly, it is no fun. What to do if your cat poops outside for the first time? Nights are very scary for your cats. Cats don’t like dark places. They are very sensitive animals that can easily be frightened. Cats don’t like spooky vibes because of their sensitivity. There are many reasons why your cat poops on the floor, mostly at night. The main reason is fear. Though there might be many big reasons, one of the common reasons can be fear. The fear of the dark can make the pet poop on the floor at night.
Can Constipation Cause the Cat to Poop Outside the Litter Box?
Yes, constipation is one of the main reasons your cat poops outside the litter box. But how can you identify its constipation? Well, take your pet to the vet and do a necessary checkup. Hard or dry poop can also tell your feline friend suffers from constipation. Lethargy, straining in the litter box, hard stomach, vomiting, hiding, and frequent trying to defecate but nothing to result can be some other signs of constipation. Sometimes the litter box can be very small for the kitten to stretch, and because of the strain, they can poop outside the box.
How does Arthritis Make the Cat Poop Outside the Litter Box?
Arthritis is a type of disease that can develop because of growing age. Joint pain in the cat can make them mad and moody. If the cat is very aggressive and constantly getting mad without letting you cuddle or snuggle, they have arthritis. Arthritis can make older cats suffer from pain, making the cat uncomfortable and painful for them to get inside the litter box.
Why does My Cat Pee in the Litter Box But Poop on the Floor?
It is a very serious and frustrating problem the cat owners go through. There are many times the cats pee inside the litter box but poop outside their litter box. There are many reasons behind it. The following are some of the senses.
- Stress
- Fear
- Poop issues
- Health issues (arthritis, constipation, cancer, thyroid, diarrhea)
New environment, new baby, new animals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
No, it would help if you did not punish your animal for this. It is not an issue. They can’t tell their problems like the cat and can only show them by actions. Don’t yell or punish them. Instead, take them to the vet.
Because of the health issues and stress, the cats can poop outside their litter box. If they are suddenly doing this, you should take it to the vet’s notice.
Cats are not humans. Humans shout or eat, or hit somewhere when they get mad. But the cats tend to defecate to release the madness, stress, and tension. They don’t wait to find their litter box. They defecate where they are standing.
Take your cat to the vet and look for any undiagnosed issues. Diarrhea, and constipation, can cause the cat to poop outside the box. Make sure you are taking them to the vet.
Cat’s poop in the litter box and covers it with the litter. And if the litter box is too dirty to hide the mess they made, they go out and poop.
Unclean and unpleasant smells in the litter box can make your cat stop using their litter box.
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