Why Does My Cat Meow in the Litter Box? Before, During and After Explained

Most cat meowing in the litter box is harmless. Cats announce what they're about to do, call for company, complain about a dirty box, or simply like how their voice echoes in a small room. Many do it for a few weeks and then stop. The exception is crying while straining. A cat that meows during a visit and passes little or no urine may have a blocked urethra, which is an emergency and more common in male cats. Timing is your best clue, so below we break the meow down into before, during and after, with what to watch for and what to do. What the Timing of the Meow Tells You When your cat meows Most likely Act fast if Before going Announcing, wants company, the box is dirty or disliked Repeated trips with nothing produced During Discomfort when peeing or pooping Straining with little or no output After Relief, wants attention, asks for a clean box Blood, diarrhea, or crying after every visit Watch a few visits before you decide. One meow tells you little; the same pattern every day tells you a lot. Meowing Before Using the Litter Box 1. Announcing or Asking for Company Cats feel exposed when they go, and some call out first. Owners describe cats that sing in the box until someone walks in, and others that meow only when they're alone and stay quiet when their person is nearby. If your cat goes normally after the meow, this is the most likely reason. 2. The Box Is Dirty or Disliked Unscooped litter, disliked litter, small litter boxes, and litter box areas that have too much going on can be sources of conflict. Scented or dusty litter is a frequent problem. Our guide to low dust cat litter provides some alternative products that can be less offensive. One of owner’s tip had success using the following trick: place an additional box filled with unscented litter. 3. Stress or Changes at Home The arrival of a new pet, guests, moving of a box, and any changes in schedule may cause a cat to be noisy around the box. Cornell’s advice for handling litter box problems mentions stress among the reasons for such behavior along with other factors. 4. Echo and Habit Some cats just like the sound. Owners say their cats meow in echoey bathrooms and even hop into an empty tub to call at the ceiling. If the habit started when the box moved into a tiled room, that's likely your answer. What you'll see What to do Meows, then goes normally Nothing; it's a habit Meows, sniffs and leaves without going Scoop or change the litter; check the box location Meows and makes repeated trips with nothing produced Call your vet today Meowing While Using the Litter Box 1. Pain When Peeing Cats that meow when going in the litter box have discomfort in peeing. There may be bladder inflammation, infection, and stone formation. The following are indicators: frequent small urination, presence of blood in the urine, urination outside the litter box, and grooming of the genitals. The owners claim that not every infection causes blood in the urine. 2. Straining to Poop A cat that is crying while passing small, hard feces may be constipated. There are veterinary guidelines on constipation which indicate straining and hard dry stool as action points. One owner's cat with an inflamed colon still went normally at first, so a change in sound alone is worth a vet check. 3. Stiff Joints in Older Cats Squatting and climbing in can be painful for a cat with arthritis. A small animal vet writing for Cats.com lists arthritis and age related confusion among the reasons older cats meow at the box. A low entry box or a step makes each visit easier. Emergency: crying while straining with little or no urine A cat that cries while straining and passes little or no urine may have a blocked urethra. Cornell's feline health experts call this a true medical emergency, and male cats are at greater risk. Go to an emergency vet now; don't wait to see if it passes. Meowing After Using the Litter Box Why does my cat meow after urinating? It is often a sign of relief, or a sign of being finished. Cats have a habit of doing this each and every time, while some have learnt that they will get praised or rewarded, even if they don't mean to. Some cats meow until their owner cleans the litter box. Once they stop meowing when the box gets cleaned, the cat is meowing about the box, not about how they feel. Also, pay attention if the cat seems uncomfortable after using the litter box. Persistent licking, scooting, diarrhea, blood, or cries may indicate irritation of the bottom or digestive problems. When Litter Box Meowing Is Normal Young cats often go through a vocal phase. One owner's 6 month old kitten meowed in the box almost daily for about a month.But the vet did not find anything, the fecal sample was negative and the meowing stopped on its own. Meowing only in solitude indicates that your cat wants some company; try leaving the door open. Some cats are vocal in any place, including the box. It's likely normal when output looks normal, your cat's posture is relaxed, there's no straining, and the sound is a soft mew rather than a desperate cry. If your cat also sits or naps in the box, see our guide on why is my cat laying in the litter box. What to Note Before the Vet Visit A few notes make the visit far more useful. Note Why the vet wants it When it happens: before, during or after Points to the likely cause Whether pee or poop comes out, and how much Separates a habit from a blockage The sound: soft mew, loud cry or growl Pain often sounds different from usual Posture: relaxed, hunched or straining Straining is a pain sign Trips per day compared with normal A change matters more than the number Any blood, diarrhea or hard stool Points to urinary or gut problems A 10 second phone video Shows the vet exactly what you saw Simple Fixes for Behavioral Meowing Once your vet has ruled out a medical cause, these usually help. Scoop more often At least once a day, and right after you hear a protest. Add a second box Fill it with unscented litter and let your cat choose. Rethink the spot Quiet but not isolated, and not next to a loud appliance. Give attention on your schedule Play and fuss at set times, not only when your cat calls from the box. Ease into an automatic box If your cat meows at a cleaning cycle, start in Manual mode and run cycles while it's out of the room. The AutoScooper 12 Lite also waits about 2 minutes after your cat leaves before cleaning. FAQs Why does my cat meow before going to the bathroom in the litter box? Mostly as an announcement or to request some company. Some cats may also be annoyed at a messy litter box that they dislike. If your cat meows before urinating and defecating, and then goes normal, it is mostly out of habit. Why does my cat meow after going poop? It could be because it is relieved or calling for attention or a clean box. If your cat cries each time it visits the litter box, or if it has blood or diarrhea, contact your vet. Is it normal for a cat to meow while using the litter box? In most cases, yes. Cats have the tendency to meow due to habit, for companionship, or because of the echo effect. However, it is something to worry about when meowing is accompanied by straining, minimal output, or blood. Can UTIs cause a cat to meow while using the litter box? Yes. The cat will strain to urinate due to pain from the UTI. Blood may not necessarily be visible. Why is my kitten crying while using the litter box? Kittens tend to be vocal, with some experiencing a period where they meow which subsides after several weeks. Check with your veterinarian whether it's because of constipation or any parasite infection, particularly if the stool is hard or watery. Why is my cat meowing while using the litter box if I am not there? Mostly because it wants some company. Cat owners have described cats that meow only when they are alone and fall silent when their owners enter the room. Why is my older cat meowing in his litter box? Arthritis, constipation, and senility are frequent causes. An easy access litter box or ramp will work, and getting the cat checked out by your vet is definitely recommended when a meowing starts. When should I take my cat to the vet for meowing in his litter box? Do it immediately if he strains with little or no urination. Contact the vet in less than a day if there are blood, diarrhea, hard stool, repeated attempts to pee or new sounding meowing.