It can smell really bad and can spread germs that your cat has picked up throughout their day. It can be easier said than done to stop your pet pooping indoors, however, it is possible.
Because of the health complications that can arise for you and your pet from these situations, it’s important to understand why they’re doing it and how you can prevent them from doing it in the future.
Your pet’s well-being is always at the top of the list and living in a clean and poop-free home should be important for all of the occupants.
Why Is My Cat Pooping Indoors?
So why is your cat pooping indoors? Let’s take a look at some of the common reasons to help you determine why your cat is pooping on the floor, and how you can stop it!
Litter Boxes
Your cat may be pooping inside because he or she doesn’t have a litter box. If your cat isn’t using their designated spot, then they will try to use any other area in your home where food and water are abundant.
This could be under furniture, around the baseboards, or even inside curtains and blinds.
If you’ve been noticing that your cat is urinating outside of his or her litter box, this could also mean that they’re trying to find another place to do their business.
In addition to finding a new spot, cats are known to mark their territory by urinating in areas such as doorways, windowsills, and couches. Once you’ve noticed these signs, you’ll want to sort it out as soon as you can.
Having several litter boxes can be a good idea but might not help much if this is an ongoing medical issue.
Medical Issues
Cat owners will always assume the worst when it comes to seeing their cats pooping outside of their designated areas.
These medical issues can ensure that your cat will continue to poop outside of its litter box. Many conditions can cause your animal to go outside of its box:
1) Kidney Failure
When your feline has kidney failure, the urine and feces production increases. This means that your cat will need to urinate more often.
Because of this increased amount of waste being produced, your cat will begin to seek out different places to relieve themselves.
2) Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
UTIs occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract. Although this condition seems like it would only affect females, males can get them too.
If your cat begins to exhibit symptoms such as frequent urination, straining during elimination, excessive licking/scratching, and blood in the urine, this could indicate a potential UTI.
3) Allergies
When your cat eats something that doesn’t agree with them, it’s fully understandable if they start to produce higher levels of waste whenever they can.
It’s always best to think of what they’ve had to eat and take them to the vets to ensure that they don’t become seriously ill.
4) Liver Problems
A liver problem called hepatic lipidosis can also result in your cat going outside of their litter box. This condition occurs when the liver cannot break down fats properly.
This leads to excess fat accumulation in the body causing the cat to lose weight and become lethargic.
Should I Be Concerned If My Cat Poops Indoors?
Yes! You should be concerned about any situation that results in your cat pooping indoors. Even though some of these reasons may seem minor, they can lead to something quite serious.
The most common reason people see their pets going outside of their litter boxes is due to a possible infection.
If your cat is urinating on the floor or items of furniture, like on the couch, you should bring them to the vet immediately. They will likely need to be treated with antibiotics until the infection clears up.
The most important thing is to stay calm and ensure that you get them checked out otherwise they could become ill.
Potty Training In Early Years
Kittens will sometimes struggle to differentiate between doing their business in a litter box, which can be annoying.
However, there are ways to train your cat into doing this, which will keep your house clean in the long run. Here’s how to potty train your kitten.
How To Potty Train Your Kitten
Step 1: Set Up Litter Boxes
Place two litter boxes within easy reach so your kitten can easily use them without having to make a mad dash for them. Make sure both litter boxes have lids so you won’t find yourself wondering where your cat went at night.
Step 2: Provide Cleaning Supplies
Your kitten needs access to fresh drinking water and food. Make sure they get plenty of time to drink before and after using the litter box. Also, provide them with toys that will encourage them to use the litter box.
Step 3: Reward Good Behavior
Reward your kitten when he uses the litter box correctly. Use treats or playtime to reward your pet. For example, you might give them a treat every time they go inside their box.
Scented Litter Boxes
A lot of cats don’t like unscented litter boxes because they will still be able to smell their dirty business.
However, using finer litter helps to keep the litter box clean and also ensures that your feline has some extra incentive to avoid popping on the floor.
It also helps you to avoid smelling cat poop, giving off the smell of fresh litter, rather than food waste.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, training your cat to go in the litter box isn’t too difficult. Many different techniques can help and it all depends on how old the cat is as well as its personality.
There are lots of different causes for cats pooping on the floor indoors, with some being a bit more serious than others.
Because of this, you should always take your feline friend to a vet with any signs of indoor expelling of food waste.
Always remain calm and make sure that your cat doesn’t see you panicking because this could cause them to become stressed or anxious, making your job as a pet parent harder.
I’m Courtney Trent and I hope that I can answer some burning questions that you have about cats, as well as some questions that you’d never have thought to ask before.
I am aiming to shed new light on these amazing pets and hopefully change some people’s opinions on them. Also, let’s talk about wild cats - they’re just as awesome as domestic cats!
So, stay a while and learn more about domestic and wild cats from Windhaven Ocicats.
