Reasons Cat Poops in the Tub and How to Fix It

Having a feline pal or parenting them is a great journey, it releases stress and keeps you happy.

However, it also gives frustration at times when she adapts to follow unusual behavior.

Such as pooping in the tub instead of the litter box. It’s messy, smelly to clean, and especially irritating when she chooses your personal space to do her business.

As per the survey, it’s been observed that felines adopt such behavior when she is suffering from underlying health issues or other symptoms.

In the following paragraphs, we have listed nine possible reasons cat poops in the tub, that will help you to get a clear understanding.

1. Your Cat Is Suffering From Underlying Health Issue

Feline’s health is the utmost priority for any pet parents, they don’t want her to suffer from any pain or health issue. However, it is possible that your kitty might be suffering from an underlying health issue due to which she is not able to access the litter box in time.

Underlying health issues such as diarrhea, constipation, food poisoning, etc. Due to this, she is uncomfortable using the box because they associate it with the usage of the box, so they prefer other private spaces like the tub rather than the litter box.

Tip:-

• If you find that situation is going out of your hand, then immediately consult the vet for check up and if required change the food habit.

2. Difficulty in Using the Litter Box

Another reasons cat poops in the tub could be that your feline pal might be having difficulty in using the litter box.

She might be having issues in getting inside the box due to the high wall design, maybe the box is small, or you have purchased a new one which she is afraid of using it.

Furthermore, it’s also possible that she has got injured while jumping in the box, so such an incident has scared your feline, and as a result, she is using the tub instead of the litter box.

Tip:-

• To stop your cat’s litter box issues, always keep one extra litter box in the house. In case your kitty is frightened or not liking the current tray, they will have backup rather than using the tub.
• Try to use an open and easy accessible cat litter box and keep it in a low-traffic area.

3. She Might Be Suffering From Stress or Emotional Issue

You must be aware of the fact that even slight changes in the surroundings such as relocation of the house could be so stressful to your sensitive feline pal.

Furthermore, if something has frightened them while using the litter tray. Then also out of fear or stress, she will simply avoid using the box and poop in the bathtub or any other corner of the house.

For instance, if any other pet animal or a new member is added to the family, there are chances that she will get emotional and feel insecure due to the presence of that person or pet animal in the house.

Tip:-

• If in recent time you have changed your house, then try to share the same room with your feline, this will give assurance to her that you have her back, and she is not lonely.
• Spend more time and give your cat enough attention, that will not make her feel insecure due to presence of new member in the family.

4. Your Kitty Doesn’t Like the Litter

Another possible reasons cat poops in the tub could be that she doesn’t like the current litter you are using for her.

Felines are very fussy regarding their essentials. So if she doesn’t like the litter you are using in the box, she will simply avoid it and do her business in the tub or any other corner of the house.

As we know, varieties of litter are available in the market like different textures, scented or non-scented, biodegradable, clay, etc. So in recent times, if you have done some experiments with your feline’s litter, that can be one of the causes behind her unusual behavior of pooping in the tub.

Tip:-

• New litter which you want to use is similar in texture with old one, then try mixing new with old litter and slowly replace the old with new one.

5. Your Kitty Might Be Having Cognitive Dysfunction

First, let’s quickly get knowledge regarding the term “Cognitive Dysfunction”. The cognitive issue is similar to dementia, it includes spatial disorientation which means excessive sleeping, wandering away from the marked territory, lack of interest in doing any activity, etc.

So, with age, there are chances that your feline may encounter cognitive disorder which can lead to disorientation and pooping in another area instead of the litter box. In such circumstances, they even forget where is her litter box placed and end up pooping in the tub or any other corner of the house.

Tip:-

• If you notice your kitty is forgetting things, place, and acting weird then it is suggested immediately consult her vet and start medication that will help her to cure of this disorder.

6. Territorial Marking

Generally, cats bury their feces to hide it from predators, but if your feline is continuously using the tub or any other corner of the house instead of a litter tray to carry out her business. This can be the sign for other pets or new family members that it’s her territory and stay away from it.

Such a situation generally happens when there is more than one cat in your house, any other pet, or the addition of any new member in the family.

Tip:-

• If you have more than one pet in the house, then try to keep an individual litter box for them, so that she will feel that it solely belongs to her, and she has her private space to do her business.
• Any addition of new member in the family in such situation, give your feline equally importance, follow her normal routine regularly, play with her, make feel that she is your priority.

7. Your Kitty Is Not Well Trained

It could be that she is not well-trained, in other words, she doesn’t get proper guidance on when and how to use the litter box.

As some cats take time in learning the usage of litter boxes, it is very important to have patience while giving her litter box training.

Tip:-

• Remember one thing whenever you teach your kitty the usage of the litter box, make sure the tray is squeaky clean. This will attract her attention and she will take interest in learning the procedure.
• Don’t force your feline to use the litter box, instead wait patiently and make her feel comfortable.

8. Litter Box Is Not Cleaned Enough

Before you get angry at your cat for pooping in the tub, first check the litter box, whether it’s cleaned.

As you know, cats are very specific regarding cleanliness and hygienic surrounding. So my friend, if her litter tray is stinking, she won’t use it.

This can be one of the possible reasons cat poops in the tub, in such a scenario, it’s not your feline fault.

Tip:-

• It’s very important to clean your feline litter box every alternate day, not only because she will start using it, but it is important for her health.
• Use a biodegradable litter that will help in easy cleaning as it will not get stuck at the bottom of the tray.

9. Behavior Issue

Your kitty might be having behavioral issues, this can be one of the common reasons cat poops in the tub. It could be due to a change in place, out of boredom, the new addition of a pet in the family, or maybe she wants more attention.

These are common reasons that cause a change in your feline’s behavior, and so she prefers to do her business other than the litter box.

Tip:-

• You can easily fix this issue by giving her more attention and love so that she doesn’t feel insecure.
• If there is an addition of a new member in the family, then try to give equal time and importance, make her feel she is also your priority.

Conclusion

Oh well, you made it, you are on the conclusion point. It seems, confidently, we were able to serve you the appropriate content to the table.

So far you know we have discussed all the possible reasons cat poops in the tub, such as out of anxiety, litter box or litter aversion, or maybe your kitty is not trained enough to use it, etc.

So, all these reasons are easy to solve, you just need to be more attentive toward your feline pal and can get rid of her unusual habit of pooping in the tub or any other corner of the house.

Furthermore, if your feline is suffering from any underlying health issue or Cognitive Dysfunction, in such a situation consult the vet and start medication if you think that situation is getting worse.

References:

1. What to Do When Your Cat Poops Outside the Box — Dr. Sophia Yin
2. Bowel incontinence in cats — VCA Hospitals
3. Feline Behavior Problems: House Soiling — Cornell University