Why is my 8-year-old cat leaving poop outside the litter box suddenly?

Hi. Poor Zuzu. Usually when kitties defecate, or urinate, outside the box, they are trying to tell us something, if she isn't urinating, that is definitely a concern. Most likely though, she is going somewhere or she would be a lot sicker. I recommend getting her seen as soon as you can. In older kitties, some of the common problems we see include kidney disease, high thyroid, cardiac disease, diabetes, UTI's, or cancers. So in a case like this, blood and urine will help us rule a lot of those out. So to start I recommend an exam and labwork. Good luck

Poor Coal! It sounds like he is having a little bit of fecal incontinence. I would have your vet take a look at his feces to make sure he doesn't have any type of parasite or bacterial infection. These can sometimes cause an increase in frequency and even sometimes a little softer stool than normal making it difficult for him to hold it in. If everything there is normal, then I would have your vet check him for any neurological problems. Your vet will be able to see if he needs any treatment for that or if any medicines can be added to help him out. I hope this helps!

If the issue is new and sudden, I would be concerned there is an underlying health issue causing it. In senior cats especially, metabolic changes, illness, arthritis, etc, can all be potential causes, so a complete exam to check for issues along with a sample of Tigger's stool or urine can help narrow down the possible causes. If he checks out healthy, or has an issue such as arthritis, changing the litter box height or including additional litter boxes may help make it easier for him to get in and out and not have accidents.

Have him physically examined by your veterinarian to diagnose injury or infection. Typically, either can be the root cause for a sudden change in behavior. If he gets the "all clear", survey the area in and around the house for any negative stimuli. Reduce or eliminate them if found. Consider using a litterbox attractant to entice him back into the box. Try different types, brands and depths of litter also. He may have a preference. A pheromone product, such as Feliway spray or plug in diffusers, may help to decrease any stress or anxiety in the home.

It's hard to say what could be going on without examining your cat. If the poop is firm and literally falling out as your cat walks, then a neurologic or structural issue with the anus would be a concern. If the stools are loose or diarrhea-like, that should also be addressed by a vet.

Hello, and thank you for your question. It may be that Walter is having softer stools which are causing the leftover poops in the house. Another possibility is that he is dragging his bum due to anal gland discomfort. If his stools are appearing softer in the litter box, the underlying cause could be from a recent diet change, bacterial infection, parasites, or food allergies. The best first step is to visit the veterinarian, who can test a stool sample for parasites, and suggest the best diet option. Often a diet for sensitive stomachs is the first recommendation. If he is dragging his bum, the vet should also check his anal glands for impaction or infection. I hope this helps, and that Walter feels better soon!

Poor Bear! If this behavior is usually triggered by pooping, it's likely that he has some type of pain or discomfort when he defecates - some possibilities would include an anal gland infection, hip or spinal arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or some other medical problem. I'm not sure what kind of testing has been done so far, but I would definitely suggest blood work and x-rays at a minimum to help identify any potential problems that could be causing discomfort. Your veterinarian can also check his anal glands to see if they are overly full or infected. A trial course of pain medication might also be helpful to see if this improves the behavior. I would suggest talking with your veterinarian about these options, or seeking a second opinion from another vet in your area if needed.