How To Stop A Cat From Pooping On The Floor
People often ask me how to stop a cat from pooping on the floor. It’s a common problem, and there are many possible solutions. However, you have to understand your cat’s behavior first before you can solve it. Each cat is different, so what works for one might not work for another.
Remove the smell
With the smell eliminated, you can then clean the area with a mild detergent and rinse it off well. For best results, use an enzymatic cleaner to eliminate any lingering odor.
If you’re looking for more help in keeping your house cat-poop free, check out this guide on how to keep cats out of plants or control their behavior by using Cat Attract tablets.
Clean the area properly
Cleaning the area properly is key to stopping this behavior.
- Use an enzymatic cleaner that can be found at pet stores or online. If you cannot find one, use a cleaning solution that is safe for pets and has an odor that cats do not like, such as 100% vinegar mixed with water.
- Use a sponge or rag to clean up your floors following these instructions:
- Wet the sponge/rag in your solution of choice and wring it out so that it is damp but not dripping wet; this will help prevent your cat from stepping on or rolling in the area where they have been forced to eliminate outside of their box.
- Scrub the contaminated areas thoroughly with your dampened pad until all stains have been removed; if any stains remain after scrubbing, repeat this step until all stains are gone! Do not forget about corners and crevices around doors where pets may be able to sneak past us unnoticed while we’re busy cleaning up elsewhere (trust me). Once you’ve cleaned everything thoroughly with soap & water mixture using dishwashing gloves if necessary because cats love nose- butts too much when we turn our backs on them just long enough for their sneaky paws get into trouble.”
Put something else under the litter box
Put something else under the litter box.
You may not want to think of it this way, but cats are essentially small children. They like things in their own way and they don’t respond well to changes in routine. If you can find a way to get your cat used to another surface under his litter box, he will feel more comfortable using that surface instead of your floor as a bathroom. Here are a few options:
- Rug or towel – Tossing down a thick rug or towel underneath the litter box is an easy solution for many people (and most cats). It’s not ideal if you want your floors completely covered with hardwood or tile, but it’ll do in a pinch!
- Mat – If you have carpeting throughout your home, consider placing one of those plastic mats underneath his tray so he doesn’t get any urine on his paws when he steps out of it. You may also want to look into getting some kind of “odor neutralizer” because there’s no such thing as 100% odorless cat pee!
Consider a litter attractant for cats
Another option is to give your cat an attractant for her litter box. A number of products are available, including Litter Box Attractant and Cat Attract. These products contain herbs such as catnip, valerian root, and lavender that cats find appealing and thus make them more likely to use their litter boxes.
One caveat: some cats are allergic to these herbs so they may not be suitable for your pet. If you try one of these products on your cat and she starts sneezing or coughing after using the box, discontinue use immediately!
Change your litter type
If your cat has a history of litter box aversion, it’s important to consider what might be causing the behavior. Cats are very picky about their litter boxes and can be turned off by certain factors. The following are common reasons why cats stop using their litter box:
- They don’t like the type of litter you’re using
- You haven’t cleaned their box regularly
- Your box is too small for them
- It’s too deep; they like digging but not being buried in sand or pellets
Make sure you clean the litter box often enough
The most important thing you can do to stop your cat from pooping on the floor is to make sure you clean out the litter box in a timely manner. Cats are very particular about their bathroom habits, and if they feel like it smells bad or looks disgusting, they will not want to use it. A good rule of thumb is to clean out your cat’s litter box twice a day. This will help keep any odor at bay and make sure any messes that were made during previous visits are gone before they have time to develop into an issue later on.
If you find yourself unable to keep up with this two-a-day cleaning schedule, consider using trash can liners inside of the empty bag of litter (or other disposable containers). This way when you do need to take out all of the contents of one container and replace them with fresh ones each morning/evening instead having big piles sitting around until then!
Consider putting more than one litter box out
When you have multiple cats, your best bet is to put the litter boxes in different parts of the house. This way, each cat will get a private place for its business and won’t be tempted to poo on the floor if there’s not enough room for them all at once. If you’re only dealing with one cat, placing multiple litter boxes in different rooms is still a good idea—but it doesn’t necessarily matter if they’re close together or far apart as long as they’re available when needed.
Cats can be picky about where they go, so you have to pay attention to why they aren’t using their litter box and make changes until they do.
Cats can be picky about where they go, so you have to pay attention to why they aren’t using their litter box and make changes until they do. Cats are creatures of habit, so you have to change things slowly. You also have to think about the environment your cat is in when it’s pooping on the floor: Is there a better spot for a litter box that would be more convenient for them?
The bottom line is that cats are very picky about where they go to the bathroom, and the only way to get them to use their litter box is by making sure it meets all of their needs. The best way to do this is by keeping an eye on what they’re doing and making changes until they’re satisfied. Some cats prefer certain types of litter over others, or maybe they don’t like how high or low a box sits off of the ground. If you can figure out what’s wrong with your cat’s current setup, then you’ll be able to fix it in no time!
