Why Is My Cat Pooping on the Floor? Litter Box Causes and Next Steps
Quick answer: A cat may poop outside the litter box because defecation is painful or urgent, the box is difficult to enter or too small, the litter or location is unacceptable, the box is dirty, another pet blocks access, or the cat has learned to use another surface. Start with health and mobility, then audit the box, litter, location and social environment. Do not punish the cat. Stool on the floor is information, not misconduct. The location, stool consistency, timing and the cat's posture can help a veterinarian or behavior professional distinguish urgency, pain, access difficulty and litter-box aversion. Clean the accident promptly, but do not let cleanup replace finding the cause. Contact a veterinarian promptly when defecation is painful or...
