Why Is My Cat Pooping Outside The Litter Box
Medical reasons why cats poop outside their boxes
The most common medical reasons cats poop outside their boxes are:
- Digestive issues
- Urinary tract issues
The most common behavioral reasons cats poop outside their boxes are:
- Your cat is not being provided with enough litter boxes.
This is the most important thing to look at when determining why your cat may be pooping outside of its box. If you only have one box for your indoor kitty and it also has multiple directions that lead to the litter box (the room could be used for other purposes), this can cause problems for your feline friend in terms of territorial marking and general frustration with trying to go but not being able to find a clear path from wherever they may be currently located to their designated potty spot.
Underlying medical causes of inappropriate elimination include
The medical causes of inappropriately urinating or defecating include feline lower urinary tract disease, bladder stones, urinary tract infection and obstruction. In some cases, diabetes or hyperthyroidism may be responsible. If you think your cat may have one of these conditions, take him to the vet for an examination and diagnosis.
Stressors
Stressors can be environmental or behavioral, or medical. Environmental stressors include:
- Not enough litter boxes (one per cat plus one extra)
- Too many cats in the household
- Litter box location (i.e., it’s hard for them to get to the bathroom because of their age or disability)
Behavioral stressors include:
- A new cat in the home or a new family member that has come into it, like a baby, dog, etc.
Medical issues may also play a role in your cat’s inappropriate poop habits: * Diabetes mellitus * Hyperthyroidism
Some common stressors that may cause your cat to poop outside the box include
- Moving to a new home
- Introducing a new cat or dog to the household
- A change in the routine of the household, such as a new baby or a long vacation
- Conflicts with other pets in the house, such as another cat or dog
Litter box issues
There are many potential reasons why your cat is not using the litter box properly. Here are some of the most common:
- Litter Box Location
- Litter Box Size
- Type Of Litter
- Litter Box Maintenance (cleaning, scooping)
- Cleanliness Of The Litter Box (odor control)
- Type Of Litter Box Used (closed-top vs open top)
Some cats may be more prone to eliminating outside their box due to age or temperament. A senior cat that has been housetrained for years may suddenly start having accidents around the house as she loses control over her bowels and bladder functions. Similarly, a kitten who’s always had accidents in the home may begin doing so when he gets older because of behavioral problems such as anxiety or stress due to changes in his environment (moving into a new home or losing a companion animal). Some cats also have medical issues that cause them to urinate outside their litter box; these can include kidney disease and diabetes mellitus.
If you’ve ruled out medical and behavioral causes for potty problems, try these litter box fixes.
If you’ve ruled out medical and behavioral causes for potty problems, try these litter box fixes:
- Make sure he has a big enough box. If your cat feels cramped and uncomfortable in his litter box, he may go elsewhere. A good rule of thumb is to make sure the box at least 5 inches longer than your cat so he can turn around comfortably inside it.
- Consider keeping a shallow pan of water near the litter box. This can help attract your cat back to the bathroom when she’s done her business elsewhere.
- Give him more privacy with high-sided boxes or ones with hoods or lids on them (if you’re petting an outdoor kitty, think about putting up fencing).
- Using a different type of litter will sometimes do the trick; clumping litters tend not to stick as well to fur as nonclumping varieties do, so cats may avoid their old spots if they feel like their fur gets “gummy” after using it one too many times
