why is your cat pooping outside the litter box?

As a pet owner, it falls upon you to ensure your pet thrives in a clean space and contributes to its cleanliness. A key aspect of cleanliness is ensuring your pet is excreting at a designated space. When your pet, specifically cat is popping outside the allotted litter box, then this is a sign of them not being at ease.

Common Reasons for Cats Pooping Outside the Litter Box

The reason behind your pet cat popping outside can be attributed to different factors, both physical and behavioral. It can serve as a sign of your pet cat's health and offer valuable insights into their emotional state as well. As such, understanding the main reason behind your cat's refusal to do the right thing is crucial, and addressing the issue ensures a happier and healthier life for your pet cat.

Medical Problems

When a cat showcases a change in its pooping behavior, it's important to consider the possibility of underlying health issues. Urinary tract infections, constipation, diarrhoea, and gastrointestinal disorders can cause discomfort and pain, making the waste boxes an undesirable place to excrete. They may associate the pain they feel with the litter box, leading them to seek alternative places to relieve themselves.

In addition, older cats may suffer from age-related illnesses like arthritis, which can make it tough for them to enter and exit the bin easily. Moreover, diseases like diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or inflammatory bowel disease can lead to changes in bowel habits. Feeding them improper food can also lead to digestive trouble, which is why you need to make sure you are feeding them cat-safe snacks.

Acknowledging these medical issues early is important since timely diagnosis and treatment can alleviate their discomfort and help re-establish proper litter box usage. As a result, any sudden or consistent changes in their defecating habits must alarm you to pay a visit to the veterinarian to rule out any potential medical issues.

Talk to a Vet for Free

Stress & Anxiety

Cats can be extremely moody. They often turn sensitive to changes in their surroundings, daily schedules, or social interactions. When they experience stress, it can manifest in different ways, including changes in their bathroom patterns.

Moreover, inter-cat conflicts or territorial disputes can cause stress and anxiety, leading them to defecate outside as a way to establish dominance or avoid confrontations. Providing a safe and consistent environment, offering interactive play, and using pheromone diffusers can help lower their stress levels and motivate them to use the litter box correctly.

Change of Environment

Cats are known for having a deep commitment to their regular spaces and activities. When their environment is altered, it can lead to stress and behavioral changes. Moving houses or even introducing new family members can disrupt their sense of security and comfort. This can lead to confusion, resulting in them seeking substitute places to defecate.

In addition, if a new pet is introduced and your cat poops outside the box, it could be an indication of your feline friend marking its territory. Neutering or spaying your cat will help lower their desire to engage in territorial marking.

Changes in the location of their litter box can also contribute to this behavior. They may become disoriented and fail to locate their container in the new setting or may not adapt well to a different style of box.

To address these issues, it's crucial to provide a stable and predictable ambience for them during times of change. Gradual and slow introductions to new settings and maintaining a consistent routine can help take away worry and motivate them to use the litter box correctly in the new environment.

State of the Litter Box

Cats have specific preferences when it comes to their pooping habits. First of all, cleanliness is important. They may refuse to use the litter box that is not regularly cleaned or maintained. Accumulated waste and odors can be off-putting, prompting them to seek alternative places for defecation.

Secondly, the type, shape, and size of the litter box matter. Cats come in various sizes, and the bin should be appropriately sized to accommodate them comfortably. Some may be deterred from using a box that feels too cramped. Covered waste bins, while favored by some owners for odor control, may make certain cats feel confined causing them to seek alternatives.

Therefore, it's important to provide a clean, appropriately sized, and well-maintained litter box to motivate proper use.

Attention-Seeking Behavior

Cats may turn to dramatic ways to gain attention since they are perceptive to their owner's interactions. Going beside the bin can be an unusual approach for them to express their dissatisfaction or to get more attention and regard.

They may resort to this when they feel neglected, especially if there have been changes in their owner's schedule or lifestyle. They may believe that this attention-grabbing act will lead to increased interaction, petting, or feeding.

To address attention-seeking pooping, it's crucial to first rule out any underlying medical or stress-related issues. If the pet is physically healthy and not experiencing stress, owners should focus on providing regular playtime, affection, and enrichment activities to meet their feline companion's emotional needs. Reinforcing positive behaviors and ignoring attention-seeking antics can help redirect the cat's behavior back to the bin while maintaining a loving and balanced relationship.

Health Tips for Cat Parents

How to Properly Maintain Your Pet Cat’s Litter Box?

In order to ensure the litter box of your pet cat is clean and safe, bear in mind the following aspects.

•                     Select a bin that your cat prefers and that works well for odor control. Some cats are sensitive to scented litters, so opt for unscented ones to be on the safe side.

•                     If there are multiple cats in your home, provide enough litter boxes (at least one per cat) to prevent territorial disputes and make sure each cat has access to a clean box.

•                     Scoop the bin every day to get rid of clumps and garbage. Cats prefer clean boxes and are more likely to use them when they're regularly maintained.

•                     Change the entire waste regularly, ideally once a week or as recommended by the litter manufacturer. This prevents odors from becoming overwhelming.

•                     Maintain box depth of about two inches, since it will allow for proper digging and covering of waste materials.

•                     Make sure the litter box is located in a quiet, easily accessible, and private area. Keep it away from their water and food supplies.

•                     Clean the trash box with mild, unscented soap and water during litter changes to prevent the accumulation of odors and bacteria.

How to Clean Cat Feces from Carpets, Beds, or Sofas?

Very often, people get apprehensive before getting a pet cat that it will mess with their home's cleanliness. Keeping your house clean with pets around requires responsible and regular practices that you can master if you keep at it with just a pinch of patience.

If you find your cat poop on your carpet, bed, or sofa, try and immediately treat the matter before the stains get harder to remove. First and foremost, scoop off the poop with preferably a wet paper towel. Next, apply a pet stain remover to the affected area.

If you don’t have one, you can prepare one of your own by mixing two cups of water with a cup of white distilled vinegar. Transfer the mixture in a spray bottle, spritz it over the area, and dab with a paper towel. In case the stain is too hard, you can even add a tablespoon of baking soda to the mixture to increase its efficacy.

Vinegar is not only an effective agent in removing stains but will also help in neutralizing the odor. But if the stain is overbearing, you can mix two tablespoons of dishwater with five tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide and rub it over the affected area. Follow this up by sanitizing the area to avoid any chances of contamination.  

To Conclude

A cat's pooping habits are not to be underestimated in the realm of pet care. Whether due to medical concerns, stress, or issues related to cleanliness and environment, these behaviors can indicate issues in both the cat's well-being and the quality of the human-pet relationship.

Recognizing the underlying causes of faecal discharge issues and taking apt action is crucial. Regular maintenance can make a substantial difference in a cat's pooping behavior and you, as a pet owner, should always keep a close eye on it to ensure they stay healthy.

Get Professional Help for Your Pet Cat