Why is My Cat Pooping Outside the Litter Box?

Your cat may be pooping outside the litter box, but there are several possible causes. These include Stress, Age-related diseases, and Urinary tract infections. In some cases, your cat may be exhibiting this behavior because of a thyroid problem. If this is the case, you will need to separate the cats and address the issue at hand. If your cat continues to do so, it’s likely a cause of stress.

Stress

If you notice your cat pooping outside the litter box, you may be dealing with a problem called stress. Stress causes a cat to eliminate in areas that are unfamiliar to him. New surroundings, loud noises, and people can all stress out your cat. Adding a new pet, moving, and rearranging furniture can all cause stress to your cat. Because cats are creatures of habit, they’ll prefer a familiar spot to relieve themselves.

Age-related diseases

While most cats poo outside the litter box for purely aesthetic reasons, there are several medical reasons why your pet may be doing so. Medical conditions of the urinary tract include stones, crystals, and bacterial infections. Inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract cause increased urination, which in turn can cause your cat to urinate more than usual. Other diseases of the urinary system, such as diabetes and hyperthyroidism, cause cats to urinate more than usual and house soil with stools.

Urinary tract infections

Your cat may have a urinary tract infection if he is urinating outside of the litter box. These infections are treatable with antibiotics, but if the infection persists longer than 24 hours, you should have him checked by a vet. For this reason, you should clean the litter box once a week with unscented soap or baking soda. If you notice that your cat is peeing outside of the litter box more than once a day, you may want to clean it more frequently.

Thyroid problems

When your cat is pooping outside the litter box, you may have several concerns. Hyperthyroidism is a condition that causes the cat’s body to produce too much thyroid hormone. Some other symptoms of hyperthyroidism include increased appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting. Your cat may also be more active, urinate more often, and even become aggressive or destructive. While you should see a veterinarian to determine the cause of your cat’s pooping outside the litter box, you can treat the symptoms yourself at home with an enzyme-based cleaner.

Inflammatory bowel disease

Your cat may be pooping outside the litter box due to an inflammation in the GI tract. Inflammation in the GI tract occurs when inflammatory cells invade the walls. These cells then release substances that irritate the GI tract. Inflammation also causes the GI tract walls to thicken and contain increased blood flow. Symptoms of IBD can vary from cat to cat, and it is important to see your veterinarian if you notice your cat pooping outside its litter box.