Introduction
Cats not using their litter boxes and dropping poop around the house is a common issue that perplexes and frustrates cat owners. While cats usually have excellent bathroom manners, at times they relieve themselves outside the litter box for a variety of reasons. This problem can occur with any cat at any age, whether they have previously used their litter box consistently or not. When a cat stops properly using its litter box, pet parents are faced with both a hygienic issue as well as trying to determine the cause behind the behavior.
Cats tend to be very fastidious animals and prefer to do their business in specific places away from their living area. Thus, inappropriate elimination like dropping poop around the house is often an indication something is wrong and the cat is unable to make it to the litter box location. Determining why your cat is pooping outside the litter box is key to correcting the behavior and getting your furry friend reliably using the proper bathroom area again.
Medical Causes
There are several medical issues that can cause a cat to poop outside the litter box. These include:
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Constipation – Hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass can cause a cat to avoid the litter box. This may be due to dehydration, lack of fiber, or gastrointestinal obstruction (Why Is My Cat Pooping Outside the Litter Box? – PetMD).
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Diarrhea – Loose stools or urgent need to defecate can make it difficult for a cat to get to the litter box in time. Intestinal parasites, food intolerances, inflammatory bowel disease, or infections can cause diarrhea (4 Reasons your Cat Goes Potty Outside the Litter Box – Kahoots Feed & Pet).
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Urinary tract infections – Inflammation and discomfort while urinating can cause cats to associate pain with the litter box, leading them to poop elsewhere (Feline Behavior Problems: House Soiling – Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine).
Behavioral Causes
Cats may exhibit inappropriate elimination for behavioral reasons such as marking territory, anxiety, or protest. Here are some of the common behavioral causes:
Marking Territory: Cats have scent glands on their paws and rub against objects to mark their territory. Pooping outside the box may be a form of marking, especially if it occurs near windows, doors, or frequently trafficked areas [1].
Anxiety: Stress, changes in routine, new people or pets, or loud noises can provoke anxiety. The resulting psychological distress may cause a cat to eliminate outside the box [2].
Protest: If a cat is unhappy with a new litter box location, type of litter, or something else, they may poop outside the box in protest. It’s their way of communicating displeasure [3].
To address behavioral causes, identify and resolve sources of stress. Try calming aids like Feliway diffusers. Add extra litter boxes in problem areas. Clean boxes more frequently. Restrict access to soiled areas. Positive reinforcement can also help.
Litter Box Issues
One of the most common reasons cats may start pooping outside the litter box is due to issues with the litter box itself. Some potential litter box problems that can lead to inappropriate pooping include:
Not Cleaning the Box Frequently Enough: Cats are very fastidious animals and dirty litter boxes will deter them from using it. The litter box should be scooped at least once a day and completely dumped and cleaned with soap and water once a week.[1]
Wrong Type of Litter: Some cats may not like the feel or smell of certain litters, especially scented varieties or those with a strong odor. Stick to unscented, finer grained litters as they are generally preferred by cats.[2]
Box is Too Small: Larger cats or kittens may find a small litter box uncomfortable to use. Make sure the box is 1.5 times the length of your cat to allow for digging and covering.[1]
By making sure your cat has a clean, comfortable litter box that meets their needs, you can eliminate inappropriate pooping in most cases.
Dietary Issues
One potential cause of inappropriate elimination is food allergies or intolerances. Just like humans, cats can develop adverse reactions to ingredients in their food. Common culprits include protein sources like chicken, fish, or beef as well as grains like corn, wheat, or soy.
An allergic reaction or intolerance leads to gastrointestinal upset in cats. This can cause increased frequency of defecation, diarrhea, vomiting, and excessive gas. The gastrointestinal distress is uncomfortable for cats, and they may begin to associate their litter box with this discomfort.
As a result, cats with food allergies or intolerances may start eliminating outside of their litter box to avoid these unpleasant associations. They may also develop a substrate aversion to the litter itself if they have had painful bathroom experiences in the litter.
To determine if a food allergy or intolerance is the culprit, a veterinarian can prescribe an elimination diet trial. This involves feeding a novel protein and carbohydrate source for 8-12 weeks. If symptoms improve, it confirms that the previous diet was causing issues.
Treatment involves identifying and avoiding trigger ingredients. This may require trying a few different limited ingredient diets to find one that is well tolerated. Work closely with your vet to ensure your cat’s nutritional needs are still met with an elimination diet.
Dietary triggers should be ruled out before exploring other reasons for inappropriate elimination. Identifying and removing an allergenic ingredient can resolve litter box problems.
Stress Triggers
Cats are sensitive creatures and stress can cause them to poop outside the litter box. Some common stress triggers include:
New environment – If you’ve recently moved homes or rearranged furniture, your cat may feel stressed by the unfamiliar surroundings and change in their territory. This stress can cause “accidents” as they try to mark new areas with their scent.
Schedule change – Cats are creatures of habit and can get stressed by changes to their normal routine. Things like shifting work schedules, traveling, or having guests stay over can disrupt your cat’s schedule and lead to inappropriate pooping.
New pet – Introducing a new pet to the home is a huge change for your resident cat. The presence of another animal in their territory is intensely stressful and often results in marking behaviors like pooping outside the litter box. To ease the transition, introduce new pets slowly.
For sources of information, see: https://embassylakesanimalhospital.com/blog/cat-pooping-outside-litterbox/
Senior Cats
Cats can start to develop age-related issues as they get into their senior years (around 10-12 years old) that may cause inappropriate elimination. Arthritis is common in aging cats, which can make it painful to get in and out of the litter box. Dementia can also lead to confusion and forgetting where the litter box is located. Older cats’ senses also start to dull, so they may not see or smell the litter box as well. Additionally, kidney disease and hyperthyroidism are more prevalent in senior cats, which leads to increased urination and accidents.
To help senior cats use the litter box consistently, place boxes in easy to access areas, consider using lower-sided boxes, use unscented litter for easier scent detection, and bring cats to the litter box frequently to remind them of its location. Ramps and night lights can make it easier for arthritic cats to access the box. Medications for pain relief may also be needed. Overall, senior cats need extra care, patience and veterinary oversight to maintain good litter box habits as they age.
Diagnosis
There are several tests a veterinarian may conduct to diagnose the underlying cause of a cat eliminating outside the litter box. A complete physical exam can help rule out medical issues like infections, pain, or mobility problems. The vet will palpate the abdomen to check for masses or blockages and assess joints for arthritis. They may also analyze a urine sample for signs of infection, diabetes, or kidney disease.
Bloodwork is often recommended, evaluating kidney and liver function, glucose levels, and signs of infection or inflammation. Thyroid hormone levels may also be checked, as hyperthyroidism is a common cause of litter box issues in cats. Imaging like X-rays or an ultrasound allow the vet to visualize the urinary tract and look for stones, tumors or anatomical abnormalities.
In some cases, more specialized tests like a urine culture, biopsy, or endoscopy may be warranted to obtain a definitive diagnosis. The earlier the underlying issue is identified, the sooner it can be treated and the faster the cat’s elimination habits may improve.
Treatments
If your cat is pooping outside the litter box due to a medical condition, your veterinarian may prescribe medications to treat the underlying cause. Common medications used include antibiotics for infections, anti-inflammatories for pain and inflammation, and laxatives or stool softeners if constipation is the culprit 1. In some cases, veterinarians may recommend diet changes to address gastrointestinal issues or urinary problems leading to inappropriate elimination. Prescription diets for urinary or digestive health can help get kitty back on track.
For behavioral causes, behavior modification is key. Your vet may advise making the litter box more attractive by trying a new litter, adding more boxes, or placing them in preferred locations. Cleaning frequently and removing soiled areas with enzymatic cleaners helps deter repeat incidents. Using pheromone diffusers can reduce stress. Punishment is ineffective and exacerbates issues. Instead, reward appropriate litter box use with treats and praise. Restrict access to problem areas and confine your cat when unsupervised until the behavior resolves.
Your veterinarian can help determine if your cat’s inappropriate elimination is medical or behavioral. A combination approach of medical treatment and behavior modification is often most effective in resolving litter box problems.
Prevention
Regular litter box maintenance is important to prevent cats from seeking alternative places to poop (Cite: url[0]). Scoop waste from the litter box daily and fully replace the litter at least once a week. Use an enzyme-based cleaner like Nature’s Miracle to fully remove any urine or stool odors around litter box accidents, which can otherwise encourage your cat to poop there again. Consider adding more litter boxes around your home, especially in problem areas, and use lower-sided boxes that are easy for your cat to enter and exit.
Providing enough environmental enrichment is also key, like cat trees, scratching posts, toys, and daily playtime. Make sure your cat has opportunities to express natural behaviors like scratching, climbing, pouncing, etc. A bored or frustrated cat may stop using the litter box. Establishing a predictable routine with set mealtimes, play sessions, and quality time with you can also minimize stress that contributes to litter box issues (Cite: url[1]).