Studies tell us that an estimated 10% of cats poop outside once or more in their lifetime; maybe your Felis catus is one of them. So, every kitty owner wants to know, "why is my cat pooping outside litter box" and here is the answer.
Poop outside the litter box is a common behavior reported by many pet owners, but if it is in cats, then it is a problem. Many cats learn how to use the litter box very fast, even when they are kittens.
As cleanliness is a cat behavior therefore when your cat poops outside the litter box, there is a problem, and being a pet owner, it is your responsibility to track the reason and solve it.
Many pet owners deal with this unpleasant issue and send their cats to shelters, but isn't it fair? Definitely, not. Cat pooping outside the litter box is a problem; the right thing is figuring them out. Believe me; your kitty will love you more for this.
That's why I'm going to cover all the reasons regarding these behavior issues in this article. So, please don't go anywhere and read them all because maybe your kitty needs your care and quick action rather than punishment.
11 Common Reasons Why Is My Cat Pooping Outside Litter Box
One of the most common behaviors many pet owners report is house soiling. In detail, let's discuss the common reasons for cat elimination outside the litter box.
Top Litter Box Complaints Cats Have
Litter box issues is one of the biggest reason for your cat pooping on floor randomly. It may be a dirty litter box, box location, type of litter, or sharing with multiple cats. Some cats have litter box aversion, and others prefer unscented litter. Some common litter box issues are as follows:
Box Location
Sinnott-Stutzman said that the location of the poop box matters but not in all cases. Placement only becomes an issue when your feline friend cannot see outside the box while using it. It makes the cat feel vulnerable that other cats or family dogs can get access to the litter box and cause a disturbance.
Secondly, cats are very particular about their pooping place because they don't want their pooping box in human high traffic areas; instead, they want their boxes in a quiet location with no noise, like far away from a washing machine or a dryer.
Cat pooping in a room is not a good idea, so install gates or lock doors to break their habit and teach them to behave rightly. Justin Donne, a cat behaviorist and owner of The Kitty Boss, states, "if poop box is too close to their food and water bowls, they may avoid using it. Try moving your kitty's litter box to a more secluded location."
Competition
Cats are territorial creatures who mark their territory and don't want to share their litter box with other felines. A multi-cat litter box can cause problems.
Carly Brands, the owner of three bossy cats, exclusively tell BeingVets:
"If you have multiple purrballs in your home, sometimes you can find territorial marking is the reason, or there's a bit of conflict going on that is upsetting them. Pheromone plug-ins are a godsend for sorting out any friction between cats."
Dirty Litter Box
Cat loves cleanliness, and one factor that causes your cat house soiling is a smelly and dirty litter box. Suppose your cat starts pooping next to the litter box. In that case, according to Stutzman (board-certified in veterinary emergency and critical care), your cat wants to go inside; however, in undesirable conditions like smell and dirt, they poop next to the litter box. But it's a good sign that your cat behaves appropriately and knows the rules, but what it needs is just a clean litter box.
Mousers naturally instinctually bury their waste in soft and fine-textured materials to hide its scent. When it comes to litter, cats prefer litter with soft and fine consistency that makes it natural and comfortable for them to use.
Moreover, cats are sensitive to smell and don't want their poop and pee smell to come out; similarly, they sometimes don't like scented litter. Thus, providing an unscented litter box is a good choice.
Litter Box Too Small
Justin Donne, after a thorough reading about cat behavior and as a pet cat owner, tells us that:
"Cats need enough space to comfortably move around and dig in the litter. If the litter box is too small, your cat may avoid using it. You can try getting a bigger litter box or a second one."
Megan Conrad, BVMS and a licensed veterinarian say, “The size of the box is essential; also, it should be 1.5 X the cat's body length and deep enough to hold at least 1-2 inches of litter. If your cat has mobility issues, choose a box with lower sides, or create a custom box by cutting an entrance in a plastic storage bin. Most cats prefer fine-grained, unscented litter, so skip the perfume-y brands.”
Type Of Litter Box
Tommy Wilde, an animal expert and a Founder of Floofmania.com, says, "One reason why your cat might be pooping outside of their litter box is that they don't like the type of litter you're using. If you've recently switched litters, or if you're using a new brand of litter, that could be the problem. Try switching back to the old brand or type of litter and see if that makes a difference."
Unreachable Litter Box
This reason significantly affects the senior cats because the workout compels them to do their business elsewhere if the box is placed out of their reach or their mobility is challenged, such as at the top, bottom, or beneath the stairs. Here Sinott Stutzman makes a statement that a cat pooping outside the litter box means that the cat made an attempt but failed due to an inaccessible litter box.
What Frights Your Cat
Some incidents, like an object falling onto your cat or their poop box flipped, make your cat frightened, and they feel uncomfortable and need some time to regain trust. Add an alternative litter box in a safe area to make your feline friend feel comfortable.
Cat-astrophic Mischief Not A Litter Box Culprit
Rich Jackson, the owner of skinny pete's gourmet catnip, shares his experience with BeingVets for cat pooping outside the litter box:
"In the case of our cat, Skinny Pete, poor technique is the culprit. Ol' Pete gets confused sometimes. He's also a bit on the husky side. He starts by rooting around in the litter box, like a pig looking for truffles. Next, he squats down with the best of intentions but with his butt hanging over the outside edge of the litter box. Sometime he poops. Sometimes he peeps. Sometimes he poops, pees, and the vomits. We call this a "Skinny Pete hat trick." In the aftermath, Pete will pause to "bury" the non-existent litter box poop. Litter is usually kicked everywhere when Pete runs from the area like a suspect fleeing a murder scene."
Stress and anxiety
Cats are sensitive creatures by nature, and stress is a significant cause of cat doesn't use the litter box. If cats start pooping outside the poop box, it may be a sign of stress. The reason for stress may be other cats in the house or your feline pet's recently changed place or routine. Some common causes of stress in cat life are as follows:
- Moving to a new home or changing the cat's environment for any reason can stress it out and lead to the cat pooping on the floor randomly.
- Cats feel stressed and vulnerable if their litter box is in an improper place.
- A small litter box is also a cause of stress for cats, which causes them to avoid the litter box.
- A competitor may cause problems because a cat loves its territory, and an intruder in its special place cause stress.
Dr. Katie Pagan, a partner veterinarian with Heart + Paw in Fells Point, Maryland, says cats find comfort in the familiarity of their daily routines as natural creatures of habit. Any disruptions to their established patterns can trigger stress levels, leading to unwanted behaviors such as defecating or urinating outside the litter box.
A range of factors can contribute to feline anxiety, including unfamiliar people, new smells, conflicts with other cats, depression, and even boredom. By understanding these potential sources of stress, pet owners can take proactive steps to help their furry companions adapt to change and thrive in any environment.
Health problem
Many health problems are associated with cat pooping outside the litter box.
Arthritis
The most prominent one is in older cats, and that is arthritis. Arthritis makes it painful for them to enter the litter boxes, and they defecate outside the litter box.
Dr. Burch said the pain from arthritis cause cats to poop outside the litter box randomly, but in case you find symptoms but the disease isn't diagnosed, then bring your cat to the vet immediately because it is a medical condition.
Arthritis makes it difficult for your cat to get in or out of the litter because painful, stiff joints stop them from performing normal actions, even sitting, walking, and standing upright. To make them comfortable in this situation, try to use the low-sided litter box and place a ramp up to the top of the box. You can also place the box on a non-skid mat.
Diarrhea And Constipation
Diarrhea and constipation are health conditions that stop the cat from using the litter box. The reason is cat feels pain in these diseases, and when a cat is in pain, they try to avoid everything that worsens this pain, including using a litter box.
Accidents may occur as a consequence of diarrhea, which can also serve as an indicator of various medical conditions such as kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and IBD (inflammatory bowel disease.)
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Another is the intestinal problem known as inflammatory bowel disease is also a cause of cats defecating outside litter boxes. Discomfort and cramping cause them to poop anywhere outside the poop box.
Also read our guide: Can Cats Eat Shrimp? Is It Safe For Their Stomachs?
Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infection is also one of the causes of your cat's house soiling, especially when your cat is straining to urinate, or you have spot blood in their urine. If you find UTI in cats that last longer than 24 hours, then it is time to visit a vet immediately. Add moist food or make them drink enough water to keep them hydrated to avoid them getting affected by this disease and keep their urinary tract healthy and safe from diseases.
Watch this video to learn more about cat pooping outside litter box.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l7df8U_evs&pp=ygUnd2h5IGNhdCBwb29wIG91dHNpZGUgbGl0dGVyIGJveCBieSB2ZXRz
Note: If you have figured out the problem and the real culprit behind your feline outside the litter box pooping behavior, then read our guide about How to stop a cat from pooping on the floor.
Final words
As a pet owner, if you don't have enough knowledge about 'why is my cat pooping outside litter box,' then this article is beneficial because it is summed up by getting advice from animal behaviorists, experienced pet owners, and veterinarians so that you can get the best knowledge to take care of your feline friend in a proper way.