Why Doesn't My Cat Cover Their Poop? 6 Reasons & How to Fix It
If you have always thought that it was natural for your cats to cover up their poop, think again. When we compare this behavior to those of wild cats, we see a wide gap. In domesticated cats, these tendencies are called “litter box behaviors.”
Since covering poop is not a trait of wild cats, why do our housecats do it? Animal behaviorists are not entirely sure, but two theorized reasons have come from studies and research: they are respecting dominant individuals or it is a bred behavior. Whatever the reason, when your cat’s daily behaviors begin to change, it should always be a cause for attention. They could be trying to communicate any number of things by leaving their poop uncovered.
Below, we have six reasons that your cats might be leaving their poop for all to see. We also discuss how you can try to fix this behavior for a cleaner-smelling household.
The 6 Reasons That Your Cat Doesn’t Cover Their Poop
1. They don’t like their litter.
When your cat first starts to exhibit this behavior, it is worth thinking about anything that might have changed recently. Have you been using one kind of litter for many years or months and decided to try a new one out? Whether it was due to a change in your pet store’s stock or needing a more budget-friendly option, it is likely the reason that your cat is throwing a smelly tantrum.
Certain types of litter have an unpleasant feel on the feet of some cats, or they might not like the smell. Perhaps you simply have allowed the litter box to get too dirty. Whatever the case, they do not want to spend a minute more than necessary inside their box. At this point, you should be happy that they have not chosen another part of the house to use as their bathroom.
How to Solve it:
2. Your cat might be suffering from a medical issue.
Whenever you notice a significant change in your cat’s behavioral patterns, you should take them to the vet. Cats are creatures of habit and routine. They do not prefer to break long-held habits unless they start to experience illness or painful medical problems. They might have an injury on their paws that makes standing in the litter painful.
Cats can also suffer from urinary tract infections that can make being in their litter box almost unbearable. It can change their behaviors and the way they typically act both inside and outside their litter box.
How to Solve it:
3. The cat doesn’t like the placement of the litter box.
Problems with the litter box will be among the most typical reasons that your cat starts refusing to cover their feces. Correctly placing a litter box is already an art. Cats tend to have strict requirements for where they are willing to do their business. If their litter box is in a place where they do not feel comfortable being vulnerable, bad behaviors can arise.
These include refusing to use the litterbox or not covering their poop after using it because they want to get out of there.
How to Solve it:
4. They want to declare their territory.
Even if they have lived in the home for a while, some cats won’t feel like it is part of their territory. This behavior could happen if they have recently become part of the family or joined a home with an older, more dominant cat, and they do not want to bend to their dominance.
It could also happen if you have recently adopted another cat. Your first cat might want to declare to their new feline friend that they are the master of the house.
How to Solve it:
5. Your cat’s litter box is too small.
Another common problem is if the litter box is too small for your cat. Cats need to have enough room to comfortably turn around, not just for your cat to fit inside. Cats need enough space to wiggle around and dig a spot in the litter to find areas that have not yet been soiled, which is why their box shouldn’t be left too dirty.
How to Solve it:
6. It is natural for them NOT to cover their poop.
Wild cats do not naturally cover their poop, so some domesticated cats will have simply not inherited or developed this instinct to cover. If your cat has never been one to bury its poop, none of the previous reasons will be applicable.
Cats that fail to cover probably never learned the behavior from their mother when they were kittens. Some breeds crossed with a wild cat will not have the strong bred-in instinct to cover either.
How to Solve it:
Conclusion
It might be puzzling when your cat is not covering its poop, which is why it’s important to understand the possible reasons behind this behavior so you can solve the problem. In the case that is health-related, it’s best to consult a vet for guidance. It’s best to be proactive and vigilant to ensure your cat stays healthy and happy.
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Featured Image Credit By: Stefano Garau, Shutterstock
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Christian started writing for a local newspaper as a teenager, and he's been involved in the publishing industry for most of his adult life. Combining his love of writing with a passion for animals, he is currently the Director of Editorial at Pangolia and the Editor-in-Chief at Catster.
Christian lives in the Philippines with his wife, son, and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
