Do Cats Poop Out of Spite? The Surprising Answer!
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Cats can be low-maintenance pets. As long as you provide the essentials to keep them healthy and happy, they don’t need to be walked or taken to the groomer. However, some cats have problems going to the bathroom in their litter boxes. Although it might feel like it sometimes, your cat is not pooping on the floor to spite you. It is more likely that the litter box needs cleaning or something has prevented them from using it.
Inappropriate Elimination
Inappropriate elimination is the term given to cats peeing and pooping anywhere in the house that isn’t in the litter box. When it happens once, it may have been an accident, but if it happens more than once or regularly, it could be a sign of a bigger problem and certainly warrants attention.
The 6 Potential Causes
There are several causes of inappropriate elimination, including:
1. Stress
Cats experience stress, and it doesn’t take much to cause anxiety in our feline friends. Anything from a change in routine to the introduction of a new kitten or baby to the house can lead to anxiety.
Pooping outside the litter box enables the cat to mark their territory, which not only enables them to deter anything they perceive as a threat but also enables them to surround themselves with a recognizable smell. It isn’t pleasant for humans, but your cat may be defecating outside the litter box because it eases their stress.
2. Illness
Illnesses, including diarrhea and vomiting, can make it difficult for your cat to know when they are going to poop. They might not be able to get to the litter box in time. Physical conditions, such as arthritis, can make it uncomfortable to climb in and out of the box, which may cause them to poop near the litter box.
3. Dirty Litter Tray
Although it might seem cleaner to poop in the litter tray, if it is already full of urine and feces, your cat won’t view it as a sanitary toileting area and won’t use it. They will look for somewhere cleaner to go.
4. Poor Litter Choice
There are many types of cat litter on the market, from traditional clay to modern crystal cat litter. You can even get walnut shell or corn husk cat litter. While some cats are happy to poop in any type of litter, some materials are too sharp and can irritate a cat’s paws, causing them to go somewhere else.
5. Not Enough Litter Trays
It is generally advised that cats need one litter tray per cat, plus an extra one, and that the trays must be placed in different areas of the home. This enables the cats to choose the one that they want to poop in, and it also means if one tray is dirty or your cat is prevented from getting to it, they can use another.
6. Litter Competition
If you have multiple cats, you might find that one does not like using a litter box after the other cat has already used it. This is one reason why every cat household should have multiple litter boxes.
Whatever the cause of the inappropriate littering, your cat is not doing it to spite you. Cats don’t recognize that their pooping stresses you out or causes you any problems.
The 5 Ways to Stop Your Cat Pooping Outside the Litter Box
There are some steps you can take to reduce inappropriate elimination.
1. Add Another Tray
Make sure you have one tray per cat, plus one extra. If you have the room, you can always consider adding another one to be safe. Even if you have multiple trays and one or more of them is rarely or never used, removing one can cause stress and lead to increased instances of inappropriate littering.
2. Empty Trays More Often
Litter boxes need to be clean and ready for your cat to use. While you don’t need to run and clean it every time you hear your cat scratching in the box, you should remove solids and scoop clumped litter a couple of times daily to provide a pleasant environment.
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3. Change Litter
If you have cat litter that is uncomfortable for your cats to stand on, they will likely look elsewhere. You can switch from sharp walnut shells or clay to something softer and see if it has the desired outcome.
4. Visit The Vet
Inappropriate elimination can be a sign of illness. If you see other signs, such as dehydration or increased elimination, visit a vet to have your cat checked over.
5. Reduce Stressors
Eliminating or removing anything that might be causing your cat stress is essential. Ensure that your cat can access the litter box easily, and watch to make sure that your other cats don’t hover or get aggressive when your cat uses the tray.
Conclusion
Cats don’t poop on the floor out of spite, but there are various causes of this unwanted behavior. One of the most common reasons for inappropriate elimination is that the litter box is full. Physical illness and anxiety are two other common causes of this behavior.
You can remove whatever causes the stress, ensure you have enough trays, and clean the litter once or twice daily. If you believe your cat is ill, and it is causing them to poop outside the tray, visit a vet and have them checked out.
Featured Image Credit: Anatoliy Cherkas, Shutterstock
