In addition to being something very disturbing, a cat that poops everywhere is also the consequence of a problem that will have to be solved to prevent this problem from happening again. In this article, I show how to find the cause of the problem and above all how to put in place the right solutions so that your cat only uses its litter box.
Cat pooping everywhere: The causes and their solutions
If your cat defecates everywhere, here are the different causes that can explain it. I will explain how to recognize them so that you can act correctly.
Transit problems
A cat that has diarrhea or, on the contrary, is constipated will have trouble controlling its transit and will relieve itself everywhere, sometimes even realizing it. Diarrhea and constipation are most of the time acute and generally pass on their own.
But there are many causes of diarrhea and constipation, which can come from chronic intestinal diseases, parasites, the ingestion of toxic products, stress or a diet problem.
It is therefore essential to find the cause and if necessary (if the problem does not go away) to take him to the veterinarian. In the meantime, you can implement the following solutions:
- Moisturize it well: You need to help as much as possible without transit so that it can do its job at best. You can stimulate its water intake by pouring chicken juice or tuna oil into it. Salmon oil is even more indicated, this fish being healthier, having a lower level of mercury than large fish like tuna.
- Let him rest: He is sick and will therefore want to be quiet. He may also start purring, but only to hide the pain and not to be petted. make sure he’s comfortable and put him in a cat diaper so he doesn’t soil the couch or the cat tree.
- Give him easy-to-eat food: Warm, moist and preferably crushed to spare his intestines. A food he likes is a plus because he won’t necessarily be hungry, so don’t hesitate to provide him with something he loves like sardines for example or chicken, both easy to chew and digest but above all irresistible.
- Fibers, lactic ferments and omega-3: These three elements will allow it to better control its transit and reduce intestinal inflammation. You can give them to your cat as supplements. Fiber is usually present in kibble and omega-3 in fish. You can take a look at our corresponding article.
- Leave him inside: Leaving your cat inside is essential, especially in winter, because the fact that he is sick makes him less vigilant and can put his safety at risk, moreover, if it is cold, his health will deteriorate. Let him be warm to rest well, but don’t forget the diaper so he doesn’t soil the house.
The litter is dirty
Cats hate dirt and if the litter box is dirty and smelly, they won’t want to do their business in it anymore. Clean the litter box at least once a week so that he likes to relieve himself in it and doesn’t snub it. You can also clean it with baking soda so that it can avoid odors from household products that it won’t like.
Worse still, if you clean the bowl with bleach, he may avoid it because the bleach smell to cats is similar to cat urine , and he’ll think another cat is using his litter box.
The litter box is misplaced
If the litter is close to his food, he will be disgusted and will relieve himself further away so as not to suffer from its smell while he eats. The same is true if the litter is placed in a restless or noisy place because cats need to feel completely safe, which is vital to them in nature.
You must therefore put it in a quiet, clean and isolated place from its food so that it can relieve itself in it again.
If you have an older cat, make sure it’s easily accessible, because if it has edges, your cat may have trouble stepping over it, especially if he has osteoarthritis.
Poor litter composition
The amount of dirt should be 3-4cm and be soft to the touch, otherwise your cat will think it’s not a good idea to do its business there. Avoid leaving more than 7 cm, because your cat will not like to sink into it. Also put quality pellets so that he can feel good there and know that he can cover his needs with once his business is done.
The litter is too small
If you have a big cat, like a Maine Coon , for example , you must get him a litter box corresponding to his size, he must feel comfortable, otherwise he will snub it. Cats must feel completely safe because it is a moment of vulnerability for them and they will not want to do their business in an environment perceived as dangerous.
The litter is unsuitable
Some litters are no longer suitable for all cats, such as closed litters which can scare some cats, especially those adopted from shelters, but also those with edges, which will cause problems for old cats with osteoarthritis. So take a model that is suitable for your cat.
A new pet
If a new animal has joined the household, it is a source of stress for your cat and you will have to accustom it to the newcomer in successive stages. Stress can cause him to poop everywhere. If he’s under stress, spreading calming pheromones will help calm him down temporarily until he gets used to it.
Another point you need to take into account is that their litter boxes, bowls and bowls should definitely be separated because cats are very territorial animals and they need to have their own space. If the litter is collective, your cat will poop everywhere.
It loses its validity
If an old cat starts defecating all over the place, it may be less mobile than before and it may be difficult for it to get around the edge of the litter box. A semi-closed litter box will allow him easy access.
How to dissuade him from defecating elsewhere?
Sometimes cats have a favorite place to relieve themselves, especially when they are young. You will then have to make him understand that he should not relieve himself there, but without punishing him, here is how to proceed:
Put obstacles
If your cat poops in the same places, put some foil or have a citrus smell that cats hate. The idea is that this area is repulsive to the cat and that it does not go there. For example, put a repellent in the plants or on the bed, these areas are very often used by cats who defecate everywhere.
Recreate the zones in his litter box
Here I will explain with examples. If your cat poops on the floor, leave a spot in the litter box where the bottom is visible, he’ll probably like that hole. If he likes a high object, put something similar in his litter box.
Create mental associations
Here, you will need, without punishing him, to make your cat understand that he must relieve himself in the litter box. First start by isolating it for 20 minutes in a room when the feline poops everywhere and using a firm tone.
Conversely, a reward can be used when he defecates in his litter to create a positive association and encourage him to do it again. You can use a food he loves or a game that drives him crazy, especially if he’s young.
Don’t punish him
Punishing a cat is the best way to make it dislike you, stress it out even more, and poop everywhere even in the future, so prefer the solutions above rather than yelling at it or kicking it. .
How to clean cat poo?
I advise you to use natural products like white vinegar or baking soda because they will allow a quick and healthy cleaning. If you use household products, your cat can become poisoned with them and dispose of bleach in them, so he will do his business again because cats associate the smell of bleach with cat urine because of the of its smell.
Obviously, equipping yourself with cat diapers is much more practical because they will save you from having to always clean up the cat’s poo.
Cat pooping everywhere: The final word
If your cat poops everywhere, put in place the solutions that correspond to the source of the problem and if nothing helps, you will have to bring him to a behaviorist.