Cat Pooping in House all of a Sudden. What To Do

Having your cat eliminate inappropriately is distressing. Sadly, it could happen to anyone, even after you have spent weeks litter training your kitty. Cat pooping in the house all of a sudden could be a result of behavioral or health issues.

I have talked about inappropriate elimination in cats before. While it could involve cat spraying urine in the house, having poop all over the place is both disgusting and worrisome. In this article, we are going to look at the reasons why your cat has started popping out of the litter box.

I will also list down ways to stop this problem.

 

Why has my cat started pooping outside the litter box suddenly?

 

As a cat owner, your first reaction to your litter trained cat going in the house rather than the litter box is to find out the reason. Most cat owners freak out thinking something is going on with their kitten. I would not blame you if you were worried about this sudden change of behavior.

Below, I am going to list down some of the most common reasons for inappropriate elimination in cats.

 

Health problems

 

You must be concerned that your cat has suddenly started going on the floor while the litter box is available. It is important to monitor his behavior closely. Does he exhibit any signs of illness? For instance, if your cat has diarrhea, he might not make it on time to the litter box.

Also, take note of any signs of pain when he is defecating. It could also mean that he has constipation, causing him to go on the floor. Well, either of these symptoms should not be ignored. speak to your vet about the sudden change of behavior as well as any symptoms of an illness.

In most cases, your cat might have an underlying health problem.

 

 

Unclean litter box

 

Well, when your cat suddenly starts to soil the house, it could be all behavioral. Now, cats are extremely sensitive about their surroundings. If the litter box has a slight stench, be sure that your cat will avoid using it as much as he can.

An unclean litter box will discourage him from using it even when he needs to. Instead, your cat might choose to go to any other place in the house. Therefore, do not forget to change your cat’s litter often. Also, ensure that you scoop clumped litter preferably every time he defecates.

 

Inappropriate litter box location

 

Once again, I must warn you that cats are not only sensitive but choosy. If your cat does not like it where you placed the litter box, he is not going to use it. Instead, he will choose another place to poop or pee thus soiling the house.

He should feel secure and enjoy his privacy while eliminating. A cat will not feel comfortable doing his business when everyone is walking past the litter box. Therefore, figure out an appropriate place for your cat’s litter box to encourage him to start using it.

 

Household adjustments

 

Have you had any changes in the household lately? Maybe you have a new baby, moved in with your spouse or even brought a new cat. Well, if there is one thing cats hate is change. These slight changes in the household could trigger him to poop in the house.

Well, this problem should not take too long as once your cat adapts to the changes he will likely start using the litter box once more. However, I suggest you find a way to calmly and gradually introduce your new family member to your cat.

 

 

Changing residence

 

As with household adjustments, change in residence can be quite stressful for your cat. This includes getting a new kitty from the shelter or pet store. I must warn you that if you recently adopted a cat, he could take a few weeks to get used to the new environment.

Stress and anxiety will make your cat suddenly stop using the litter box. Well, be kind and patient with a new kitty as everything is now new to him. You should also continue training your kitty consistently until he gets it right.

 

How do I make my cat stop pooping in the house?

 

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Once you realize that your cat has been soiling the house, your immediate reaction might be to find the solution as soon as possible. Well, as above, I have outlined some of the most common reasons why he might start soiling the house all of a sudden.

Below, I am going to list down the ways to make it all stop. Use the following tips to curb house soiling in cats.

 

Clean the litter boxes

 

Earlier in this article, I mentioned that cats soil the house because the litter box could be dirty. Cats have quite a strong sense of smell. It means that he can pick up even the slightest stench coming from the litter box.

And because cats are clean creatures, he will opt to go somewhere else than the dirty litter box. Now, as I mentioned, ensure that you scoop clumped litter every day. If you can, scoop soiled litter every time your cat eliminates.

Also, change the litter at least once a week. This means you empty and washes the litter box before putting in fresh litter. Your cat will be able to enjoy using the box when it does not stink of stale waste.

 

Move the litter box to a more appropriate position

 

I mentioned that your cat might be refusing to use the litter box because of poor positioning. Do you think that there is a lot of movement near his litter box? Or can your guests see him when eliminating? If the answer to both questions is yes, then you need to move it. Your cat might be getting too anxious to use the latter.

Cats prefer dark quiet corners to eliminate. Therefore, ensure that you place the litter box in a conducive environment to allow privacy and comfort.

 

Add an extra litter box

 

Your cat should have several choices in terms of litter boxes. I will emphasize on the fact that your cat will not use a soiled litter box. Having several boxes allows your cat to use them at their convenience. Furthermore, if you have two cats, you must already know that they do not like to share resources.

Get several litter boxes and position them at your cats’ disposal.

 

Restrict access to previously soiled surfaces

 

So, your cat somehow likes to go on your carpet. I get that it is annoying but you must exercise patience with small accidents in the house. This is especially if you are litter training your kitty. It could take weeks and sometimes months to them him to use the box.

Now, if your cat has suddenly started pooping in the house, you should clean up the accident scene immediately. Use an enzymatic cleaner to thoroughly wash the stains and remove the smell. Well, having the smell lingering in the house could invite your kitty to defecate at the same spot.

Also, you can cover the spot using an aluminum foil. Since it is too uncomfortable for your cat’s paws, he is unlikely to repeat an accident.

 

Exercise patience

 

Getting your cat to stop pooping in the house is not a task you are going to be over with soon. Quite the contrary as it could take months to get him to start using the litter box again. Therefore, you will need to be patient throughout this process.

This is the most common mistake cat owners make. They give up way too soon and some even surrender their cats to the shelter. Well, with proper training, patience, and consistency, your cat will eventually unlearn the habit of soiling your house.

 

Take him to the vet

If you suspect that your cat is ill, I suggest you check in with your vet. If he is unable to reach the litter box, then it could be that he is not feeling well. Lab tests should be able to determine if your cat is unwell or if you are dealing with a behavioral issue.

While speaking about inappropriate elimination and health issues in cats, I cannot fail to address cats with dementia. Older cats could have dementia issues leading to pooping outside the box. Sometimes your older cat could forget all about litter training or even the position of the litter box.

Well, if so, you will need to learn how to manage and live with a cat with dementia.