Problem Solving & Advice by Pam Johnson-Bennett Cat Behavior Expert & Best-selling Author
Your cat may diligently urinate in the box but what do you do if she decides she’d rather leave solid deposits somewhere else? It can be very confusing for a cat parent when the cat faithfully uses the box for one function but refuses to use it for the other.
Rule Out Medical Issues
Even if you’re absolutely certain that the problem is behavioral, you need to have your cat examined by the veterinarian to make sure there isn’t an underlying medical problem. There are a number of medical issues that could be causing your cat to feel uncomfortable about pooping in the box. If your cat experiences constipation, for example, she may associate the box with discomfort and attempt to go somewhere else. If your cat is older and has arthritis, it may be difficult to perch on the litter substrate in order to eliminate solids. If you have a covered litter box, your cat may feel cramped in there while perching in position to poop.
There are a number of intestinal problems (inflammatory bowel disease for example) that commonly result in cats defecating outside of the box. The cat may experience cramping and the discomfort causes the cat to try to eliminate wherever she is at the time. The cat may also become so uncomfortable that she can’t make it to the box.
When you take your cat to the veterinarian, bring along a sample of stool so the veterinarian can run tests and also examine the appearance (for signs of blood, mucous, hair, etc). If you’re unable to bring a fresh sample, the veterinarian will be able to get one but it’s much more comfortable for your cat if you can bring one along.
Don’t overlook the very important first step of visiting the veterinarian if your cat is pooping outside of the box. I have lived with a cat who had inflammatory bowel disease and know how much pain he must’ve felt when his intestines starting cramping. I also have a number of clients who have cats with intestinal problems. Getting your cat diagnosed and on appropriate medication (and in some cases, prescription formula food) as soon as possible will be most important.
Survival Instincts
There are some cats who don’t like to defecate in the same area used for urination. For some cats it may be that urination has more territorial connection or it may just be a quirky feline instinct. Regardless, a simple solution you can offer is to make another box available for defecation. Don’t place the box right next to the original box or it’ll just be regarded as one big box and your cat will still not poop in it. In many cases you can put the second box in the same room (depending on the size of the room), but in other cases, you’ll have to locate the second box elsewhere. Your cat will certainly let you know when the location is correct.
Safety Issues
It typically takes a cat a bit longer to defecate than urinate. In a multicat household where there is even the smallest amount of tension, it may be too stressful for a cat to hang out in the litter box long enough to poop. If the box is covered, wedged in a corner, or hidden in a closet, this truly reduces the cat’s escape potential. She may feel it’s safer to poop in another location that allows for a better view in case an opponent is coming. The location chosen may also give the cat a better opportunity to get out of there more safely.
The solution in this case may be to provide uncovered boxes and to make sure there are enough boxes located through the house. Don’t place them in hidden, cramped areas that may cause your cat to feel trapped or confined. In many cases, all you’ll have to do is remove the lid from the box. Covered boxes are often to small and low for a cat to feel she can comfortably perch on the litter for defecation. They also limit the cat’s escape to just one way in and out. Should another cat come by, the one who is in the litter box can be vulnerable to an ambush.
Substrate Preference
Some cats, for whatever reason only they seem to know, have a substrate preference when it comes to the feel of the litter for defecation versus urination. Perhaps it has something to do with the amount of time they spend in that position for pooping. If you think that might be the case, offer another litter box with a litter that has a different texture. In general, cats prefer a soft, sandy texture when it comes to the litter substrate.
If your cat is defecating on the floor or other hard surface and won’t go in the litter box no matter what type of litter you use, try an experiment and set out an empty litter box. If the cat does eliminate in the box when there’s no litter, keep the box available (clean it every time there’s an elimination) and then you can eventually try adding a scant amount of litter in the box. If the continues to accept that you can add gradually increase the amount.
Last But Not Least: Cleanliness
A cat may decide that the box is too dirty if there is any waste already in there. She may urinate but then feel it’s now not clean enough for defecation. Understandably, you can’t stand over the box 24 hours a day with a litter scoop in your hand in order to remove waste the nanosecond it touches the litter. Scoop at least twice a day and have more than one litter box so there will be a greater chance that your cat can find a clean patch of litter for defecation.
Want More Information?
Your veterinarian should be your first stop whenever there is any kind of litter box problem. For more information on cat behavior and training, refer to the best-selling books by Pam Johnson-Bennett. Pam’s books are available at bookstores and online. We’ve included links to Amazon here on our website.
This article is not intended as a replacement for your cat’s veterinary care. This article is for information purposes only and not offering medical advice or providing a medical diagnosis.
