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Our pets can do some pretty odd things sometimes. Whether it’s jumping at shadows or playing with poop, animals are always doing highly entertaining (or super gross) stuff. And while you might think that canines are the only ones to play with poop, felines actually do this too. But why?
If you have seen your cat playing with poop, then your second thought (after the first thought of “Ewww”) was likely “Why is my cat playing with poop?”. Well, there are a few possible reasons this could happen, and there are ways to get your cat to stop doing it. Here’s what you should know about cats and why they play with poop!
The 5 Possible Reasons Your Cat May Play with Poop
1. Your cat is a kitten.
Most often, a cat that plays with poop will be a kitten. This isn’t always the case, and sometimes an adult cat does this too, for reasons we will get into shortly. But most of the time, kittens are the ones batting around poop and chasing after it. This makes sense because kittens are still growing and learning, and they’re some of the most curious creatures around. Of course, they’d decide to try to figure out what poop is all about! As gross as this habit may be, they’ll likely grow out of it, and in the meantime, you can try directing their attention to actual toys instead.
2. The cat doesn’t have enough toys or sufficient enrichment.
Cats love to play, and if they don’t have enough toys and other means to stimulate themselves and keep them entertained, then they’ll create their own entertainment! Boredom and frustration are one of the possible reasons for some felines to play with poop. The solution is simple enough: just get your kitty more toys (and maybe throw in a few that are interactive, so they’ll have a challenge), as well as cat trees, perches, cat scratchers and more. If buying toys is out of the question, you can still keep the cat entertained. Cats love playing with the most common household items, so toss your pet some cardboard tubes once the toilet paper has run out or set up a maze of boxes for your pet. You can even DIY toys for your favorite feline with very little trouble.
3. The cat might dislike their litter box.
Felines can be picky about any number of things, and one of those things may be their litter box. If your pet doesn’t like the shape of the box, the size, or even the location, they may avoid using it, hold feces and urine for longer than normal, develop issues with toileting or even start to play with their feces. Luckily, this should be fairly easy to rectify, as you can try a different litter box out or move the box to a different spot in the home. If doing these things doesn’t get your pet to stop playing with their poop, there could be another reason they’re engaging with it.
4. The litter box isn’t clean enough.
Cats are known for being clean, so when the litter box doesn’t meet their high standards of cleanliness, they can show changes in their behavior. You may see your pet going to the bathroom outside of the litter box, or you may see them playing with their poop. Either way, kitty is sending a message that the litter box needs to be cleaner than it currently is. You may need to do a complete, thorough cleaning of the box if this happens.
5. Your cat may have a health issue.
Pretty gross, we know, but some cats with underlying health issues, besides anxiety and stress, may develop a tendency to play with or even try and eat their feces, although this is less common. This may be due to various disorders affecting the digestive tract, nutritional deficiencies, neurological conditions, dental pain, cognitive decline and confusion in older cats and many more. If you suspect this may be the case in your cat, please speak to your veterinarian promptly.
How Can I Keep My Cat From Playing With Poop?
Now that you know the possible reasons your cat is likely playing with their poop, you probably want to know how to get them to stop doing it. We covered a few ways to do that above since the remedy to the issue depends on the reason, but there are other things you can do that will help keep your pet from engaging in an unpleasant habit.
Speak to a vet
If you have any doubts about your cat’s health, and suspect it may be the cause for their newly developed interest in feces, please consult a veterinarian. This is especially true if your cat is losing weight, not eating as much, having signs of vomiting or diarrhea, being quiet and less active, or toileting outside of the litter box.
If you want to speak with a vet but don't want to leave home, you can head to PangoVet.com. It's our online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the advice you need for your cat — all at an affordable price!
Try out a new litter.
Trying out a new type of litter may help cover the smell of poop more, so your pet is less interested in getting their paws on it. You may want to try out a litter that has baking soda (or contains something similar) that helps mask odors more, as long as the scent is not too strong for your cat. Just be aware when you’re doing this that kitties can be picky about litter, so you might have to try a few options before you find a litter that suits you both.
Scoop the poop immediately.
Another way to keep your cat from playing with their poop is to scoop the litter box out immediately after they use it. This one is a little harder to accomplish since you aren’t always around when your cat uses their litter box, but for the times you are home, doing this can help.
Spend more time with your cat.
The more time you spend with your favorite feline, the less time they have to go after their poop! Plus, spending time with your cat means the two of you get to have solid bonding time together, reducing their boredom and stimulating them mentally as well as physically.
Conclusion
It’s a bit gross when you find your cat playing with their poop, but there are reasons why they’re engaging in that particular activity. Your kitty may be bored due to a lack of toys, or they might have an issue with their litter box. They may also still just be an incredibly inquisitive kitten! Once you have an idea of what the reason is for them playing with poop, you should be able to rectify the issue.
If you’re unsure why your cat is playing with their poop, or you suspect something is off with their health, do not hesitate to reach out to a vet for advice.
Featured Image Credit By: Natalia Kokhanova, Shutterstock
