# Why Your Cat Keeps Pooping on the Floor (Not Peeing) If your cat keeps pooping on the floor but still pees in the box, the most common reasons are a litter box that does not meet your cat's preferences, pain or discomfort during defecation, or stress in the home. Why does my cat keep pooping on the floor instead of peeing there? Because peeing and pooping are controlled by different triggers, so the two problems often have different causes. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Defecating outside the box is one of the two main forms of house-soiling, and it is a top reason cats are surrendered to shelters [1]. - Cats prefer large boxes (at least 50 cm, roughly 20 inches) and clumping clay litter, and giving them both reduces house-soiling [1]. - Scoop daily and fully replace litter regularly. Litter hygiene is linked to house-soiling risk [2]. - Pain is a real cause. Arthritis, anal gland disease, constipation, and colitis can all make a cat avoid the box. - See your veterinarian first if the problem is new, if stool looks abnormal, or if your cat strains, cries, or hides. ## What Floor Pooping Looks Like and What Counts as Normal Normal cat poop is firm, log-shaped, and easy to pick up. Most cats pass stool once or twice a day, though some go every other day. A healthy cat uses the litter box without fuss, covers the stool, and walks away. House-soiling means your cat eliminates outside the box. In one large survey of cat owners, about 16.7% recalled some type of elimination problem [3]. Defecation outside the box can look like: - Firm, normal-looking stool left on carpet, tile, or a rug - Soft stool, diarrhea, or mucus-covered stool outside the box - Small hard pellets, or repeated trips with little output - Stool placed right next to the box, or in the same spot every time - Stool left on laundry, bedding, or in a quiet corner Where the stool lands gives clues. Poop right beside the box often points to a box problem. Poop in a hidden corner can point to stress or a need for privacy. Poop left while your cat is walking or sleeping can point to pain or a medical issue. ## Why Does My Cat Keep Pooping on the Floor? Main Causes The causes fall into three groups: box and litter problems, medical problems, and behavioral or emotional problems. Many cats have more than one. | Cause | Typical clues | How urgent | |---|---|---| | Litter box or litter dislike | Stool next to the box, box is small or covered, strong litter scent, box rarely scooped | Routine visit if no other signs | | Box location or competition | Multiple cats, box near a noisy appliance, dog can reach the box, cat ambushed at the box | Routine visit, fix setup now | | Constipation or megacolon | Hard dry stool, straining, small amounts, vomiting, low appetite | Same day to 24 hours | | Colitis or diarrhea | Soft stool, mucus, blood, urgency, accidents right after eating | Same day to 48 hours | | Arthritis or back pain | Older cat, stiff walking, cannot squat well, misses the box edge | Routine visit, sooner if pain is clear | | Anal gland or rectal pain | Licking the rear, scooting, crying while passing stool | Same day | | Stress or fear | Hiding, hissing, new pet or baby, moved box, changed schedule | Routine visit, act at home now | | Parasites or gut infection | Diarrhea, weight loss, poor coat, worms visible | Same day to 48 hours | | Neurologic or muscle disease | Weak back legs, wobbling, stool falls out without effort | Same day | ### Litter Box and Litter Problems This is the most common and most fixable cause. Cats have clear preferences. A study of indoor cats found they preferred boxes measuring at least 50 cm (about 20 inches) and clumping clay litter. When both were provided, normal elimination improved and house-soiling dropped [1]. Box hygiene matters too. In a study of over 3,000 cats, the number, type, and location of boxes, the litter type, and how often owners scooped and fully replaced litter were all linked to house-soiling risk [2]. The takeaway is simple: a clean, large, open box with unscented clumping litter in a quiet spot is the baseline. Covered boxes are popular with owners but can trap odor and make a cat feel trapped. If your cat poops outside a covered box, try an open one. ### Medical Causes of Cat Defecating on Floor Pain changes behavior. A cat with arthritis in the hips or spine may not be able to squat comfortably in a box, especially a high-sided one. A cat with colitis feels sudden urgency and may not reach the box in time. A cat with constipation or megacolon strains and associates the box with pain. These are the medical causes veterinarians look for first: - Constipation and megacolon - Colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or food intolerance - Intestinal parasites (roundworms, giardia, coccidia) - Anal sac disease or rectal polyps - Arthritis, disc disease, or other spinal pain - Kidney disease, diabetes, or thyroid disease (these often cause diarrhea or stool changes) - Neurologic problems that reduce control - Cancer of the colon or rectum (less common) Age matters. Older cats are more likely to have arthritis and constipation. Younger cats are more likely to have parasites or diet-related diarrhea. ### Behavioral and Emotional Causes Fear and stress are real drivers. A large survey of over 3,000 cats found that fearful cats were more prone to litter box issues, including house-soiling [4]. Low sociability toward other cats, being male, and being intact were linked to more house-soiling in that same study [4]. Common triggers include: - A new cat, dog, or baby in the home - A move or a change in furniture layout - A box that a dog or another cat guards - A box near a washing machine, furnace, or busy hallway - A dirty box, or a switch to a scented litter - A history of declaw surgery. One study found that cats who had onychectomy (declaw) had a higher risk of house-soiling, and the risk was higher with some surgical techniques than others [5]. If your cat also pees outside the box, that is a separate problem with its own causes. See [Why Is My Cat Peeing on the Floor Right in Front of Me?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/anxiety-and-behavior-support/cat-peeing-in-front-of-me) and [Why Is My Cat Suddenly Peeing on the Carpet?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/anxiety-and-behavior-support/cat-suddenly-peeing-on-carpet). ## Red Flags That Make It an Emergency Call your veterinarian or an emergency clinic right away if you see any of these: - No stool for more than 48 hours, or repeated straining with nothing coming out - Vomiting, especially with a swollen or painful belly - Blood in the stool, black tarry stool, or a large amount of fresh blood - Collapse, weakness, wobbling, or dragging the back legs - Crying out while passing stool - Not eating or drinking for more than 24 hours - Straining to urinate, or no urine for more than 12 to 24 hours. This is a life-threatening emergency in male cats. See [How Long Can A Cat Go Without Peeing Or Pooping](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/how-long-can-a-cat-go-without-peeing-or-pooping). ## What You Can Do at Home While You Wait Start with the box. These steps are safe and often help within days. 1. Add boxes. The general rule is one box per cat plus one extra. Place them in different rooms, not side by side. 2. Go big and open. Choose a box at least 20 inches long with low sides. Cats prefer large boxes and clumping clay litter [1]. 3. Scoop at least once a day and fully replace litter on a regular schedule. Litter hygiene is tied to house-soiling risk [2]. 4. Move boxes to quiet spots with two exits. Avoid dead ends where another pet can block the way. 5. Try unscented clumping litter if you use scented or crystal litter. Do not switch all at once. Mix old and new over a week. 6. Add a second box with a different litter type so your cat can choose. 7. Keep the soiled spot clean. Use an enzymatic cleaner made for pet waste. Do not use ammonia-based cleaners. 8. Reduce stress. Give your cat a quiet room with food, water, and a box away from other pets for a few days. 9. Do not punish. Yelling or rubbing your cat's nose in it increases fear and makes the problem worse. 10. Track it. Write down when and where your cat poops, what the stool looks like, and what changed in the home. If your cat is straining or the stool is hard and dry, do not give human laxatives or stool softeners. Some are toxic to cats. Your veterinarian will calculate any dose from your cat's weight and health. ## What Your Veterinarian Will Check and Test Your veterinarian will start with a full history. Expect questions about diet, box setup, litter type, scooping frequency, other pets, and recent changes at home. The physical exam focuses on: - Weight and body condition - Abdominal palpation to feel for hard stool or masses - Rectal exam to check the anal glands, rectum, and stool tone - Joint and spine exam for pain or stiffness - Hydration and gum color - Neurologic check of the back legs and tail Common tests include: - Fecal flotation and fecal antigen tests for parasites - Blood work (complete blood count and chemistry panel) - Thyroid testing in older cats - Urinalysis - Abdominal X-rays to look for constipation, megacolon, or arthritis - Abdominal ultrasound if the exam or X-rays are unclear - Diet trial if food intolerance is suspected Treatment depends on the cause. Constipation may need fluids, a stool softener, or a prescription diet. Colitis may need a diet change, antibiotics, or anti-inflammatory drugs. Arthritis may need pain control and box changes. Stress-related cases may need behavior changes at home and, in some cats, medication. Your veterinarian sets the plan and dose for your cat. ## Preventing and Monitoring Floor Pooping Prevention is mostly about meeting basic needs before problems start. - Keep boxes large, open, clean, and quiet [1][2]. - Use clumping clay litter unless your cat prefers something else [1]. - Scoop daily and replace litter fully on a set schedule [2]. - Keep one box per cat plus one, in separate rooms. - Watch for early signs: straining, smaller stools, licking the rear, or missing the box once. - Schedule yearly exams for adult cats and twice-yearly exams for cats over 10. - Address fear early. Fearful cats are more likely to have litter box issues [4]. If your cat poops on the carpet in the same spot, that spot now smells like a bathroom to your cat. Clean it thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner and, if possible, block access or place a box nearby for a few weeks. If the problem involves urine instead of stool, the causes differ. See [Why Is My Cat Peeing on the Rug? Medical and Behavioral Reasons](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/anxiety-and-behavior-support/cat-peeing-on-rug) and [Why Is My Cat Suddenly Peeing on the Wall?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/anxiety-and-behavior-support/cat-suddenly-peeing-on-wall). ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article cannot tell you which cause applies to your cat. Only a veterinarian who examines your cat can do that. Individual cases need a veterinarian. Call the same day if: - Your cat has diarrhea for more than 24 hours - Your cat strains to poop or cries while pooping - You see blood or mucus in the stool - Your cat is eating less or losing weight - The problem started suddenly in an adult cat with no prior history Go to an emergency clinic now if: - Your cat has not pooped for more than 48 hours and is straining or vomiting - Your cat is straining to urinate or has not urinated in 12 to 24 hours - Your cat is weak, wobbly, collapsed, or in obvious pain - Your cat's belly is swollen and painful to touch Schedule a routine visit if: - The stool looks normal but lands outside the box - The problem is long-standing and your cat seems otherwise well - You have already tried box and litter changes with no improvement ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Why does my cat poop on the floor but pee in the litter box? Defecation and urination have different triggers, so one can be affected while the other is not. Pooping outside the box often points to pain during defecation, constipation, or a box that feels uncomfortable for squatting. Peeing problems more often point to urinary disease, stress, or marking. ### Is my cat pooping on the floor a behavioral problem or a medical problem? It can be either, and often it is both. Pain, constipation, and colitis are common medical causes, while fear, competition, and box dislike are common behavioral causes. A veterinarian exam plus a fecal test and blood work is the fastest way to sort it out. ### Will changing the litter stop my cat from pooping on the floor? It can help if litter dislike is the cause. Cats prefer clumping clay litter and large boxes, and providing both reduced house-soiling in one study [1]. Change litter gradually, and keep at least one box with the old litter during the transition. ### How often should I scoop the litter box? Scoop at least once a day, and twice a day in a multi-cat home. Litter hygiene, including scooping frequency and full litter replacement, is linked to house-soiling risk [2]. A dirty box is one of the easiest problems to fix. ### Can stress make my cat poop outside the litter box? Yes. Fearful cats are more prone to litter box issues, including house-soiling [4]. New pets, moves, loud appliances near the box, and blocked escape routes are common triggers. Give your cat quiet, separate resources and a box with two exits. ## Related Articles - [Why Is My Cat Peeing on the Floor Right in Front of Me?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/anxiety-and-behavior-support/cat-peeing-in-front-of-me) - [Why Is My Cat Suddenly Peeing on the Carpet?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/anxiety-and-behavior-support/cat-suddenly-peeing-on-carpet) - [How Long Can A Cat Go Without Peeing Or Pooping](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/how-long-can-a-cat-go-without-peeing-or-pooping) - [Why Is My Cat Peeing on the Rug? Medical and Behavioral Reasons](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/anxiety-and-behavior-support/cat-peeing-on-rug) - [Why Is My Cat Suddenly Peeing on the Wall?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/anxiety-and-behavior-support/cat-suddenly-peeing-on-wall) - [Cat Not Pooping but Eating Normally: Causes and When to Help](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/digestive-and-urinary-care/cat-not-pooping-eating-normally) - [How to Stop Your Cat Pooping Outside the Litter Box](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/digestive-and-urinary-care/stop-cat-pooping-outside-litter-box) - [Cat Pooping on Carpet, Bed, or Floor: Causes and Cleaning](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/cat-pooping-on-carpet-floor) - [Why Is My Cat Not Pooping in the Litter Box? Solutions](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/digestive-and-urinary-care/why-is-my-cat-not-pooping-in-the-litter-box) ## References 1. [Litter box size and litter type preference and their associated behavioral changes in cats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40204471/). The Journal of veterinary medical science, 2025. 2. [Factors associated with house-soiling in Italian cats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37975187/). Journal of feline medicine and surgery, 2023. 3. [Litter Management Practices and House-Soiling in Italian Cats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37508159/). Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 2023. 4. [Feline litter box issues associate with cat personality, breed, and age at sterilization](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36840938/). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2023. 5. [Telephone survey to investigate relationships between onychectomy or onychectomy technique and house soiling in cats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27585101/). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2016. ## Further Reading - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Cat Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners) - [Cornell Feline Health Center: Health Information](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information) - [American Veterinary Medical Association: Pet Care](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare)