Some people may think that cats defecate on the ground as a way to take revenge or punish them, but this is not true, as cats do not have the developed cognitive capabilities necessary to think about these evil plans, in addition, they do not consider feces and urine things that cause disgust, which prevents them from being placed on the list of weapons A chemical that cats intend to use against humans. Cats defecating on the floor or urinating outside the box is a common problem that may result from a health condition or their preference for another place outside the box, among others. Here are the reasons for this problem and how to solve it.
What causes cats to defecate on the floor?
There are many reasons why cats behave this way, the most important of which are:
Health problems
Cats may defecate on the floor as a result of many health problems such as those related to the digestive system such as constipation or diarrhea, pain, and discomfort, arthritic conditions, or age-related health conditions that affect the movement of cats or their cognitive functions, which impedes their ability to reach a litter box garbage in time. In addition to defecation, cats may urinate on the floor as a result of many health problems such as urinary tract infections, kidney disease, thyroid gland, diabetes mellitus, and others.
Litter box problems
If a cat is uncomfortable in her litter box or cannot easily access it, she probably won’t use it. Several litter box problems can cause cats to defecate on the floor, including:
- Dirty litter box.
- Not having enough litter boxes.
- The small size of the private box for the size of the cat.
- The shape or location of the litter box is not appropriate.
- The sand in the box is very deep, about 2-2.5cm from the edge.
- The cat’s preference for surfaces or other materials to defecate, such as carpets or soil.
- The cat’s aversion to the type of litter or litter that is placed in the box.
- The cat is disturbed by an event or pain that occurred while defecating in the box, which makes it avoid it and hesitate to return to it.
Stress and anxiety
Just as much as health issues, stress can change a cat’s toileting habits. Cats may experience anxiety, stress, and stress for various reasons, such as moving to a new home, bringing in a new pet, having a new baby in the house, or a modification to the cat’s regular schedule.
The fear
Fear may also cause the cat to defecate outside the litter box, as cats are afraid of many things such as loud sounds, noises, strangers, and others. Although defecating on the floor often occurs in young cats, adult cats may also suffer from this problem sometimes, especially if the litter box is not located in a quiet and private place for them to feel safe.
Territorial behavior
Cats are territorial animals, and it is not surprising that they resort to defining their territory and territory in some way, so if you bring a new cat into the house or your cat has smelled or sensed the presence of a cat outside, it may urinate or defecate on the ground as an attempt to make others understand that this is its home.
How do you prevent cats from defecating on the floor?
Cat defecation on the floor is a frustrating problem, and it takes effort and time to be able to solve it, and the following steps may help you:
- Rule out health problems: Go to the vet to examine the cat and find out if she has any health problems that may cause her to defecate on the floor, especially if she has not done so before.
- Keep the litter box clean: Cats don’t like dirty places, and they won’t use the litter box if it’s dirty. So, clean the box daily, and wash it once a week with baking soda or unscented soap.
- Change the location of the box: If you find that the cat is defecating in the same room outside the box constantly, you can put the litter box in this room, or consider placing a second box near this place, and you should put a box on each floor, and you may need to add more Including that if you own more than one cat, paying attention to placing the box away from the dining area.
- Change the look of the box: Most cats prefer an open box that allows them to see the surroundings at an angle of 360 degrees, and replace the old box that is cracked or smelly.
- Prevent the cat from reaching the places where it defecates: If the cat defecates on the floor in specific places, try to make these areas as unattractive and uncomfortable as possible, such as putting shiny aluminum foil, double-sided tape, etc.
- Change the litter material for the box: The cat may hate the texture or smell of the material you recently bought, especially if it is scented litter because the scents of artificial perfumes repulse and disturb it. So, put a different substance in the second litter box and watch the cat’s response.
- Clean the places where the stool is located well: because if you are unable to clean the area completely, the cat will continue to smell the area and be attracted to it to defecate. You can use a high-quality enzymatic cleaner that is designed to clean pet feces.
- Deal with the cat’s stress and fear properly: Try to avoid your cat’s source of stress and provide her with a safe space to help her relax, in addition to allocating enough time to play with her and provide her with some interactive games, because cats that feel frustrated or bored may behave strangely. This article may help you deal with fearful cats.
- Consult a specialist in modifying animal behavior: If the cat does not suffer from a health problem, and you cannot solve the problem despite applying all the previous tips, in this case, you can turn to the veterinarian or a specialist in modifying animal behavior to obtain tips that help in modifying problems your cat’s behavior.
Finally, remember that cats on the ground are a problem that needs enough time to solve, and you can’t fix things overnight. So, be patient and consistent, clean dirty spots thoroughly, and keep the litter box clean and attractive.