Cats Communicate with Pee and Poop

Attitude of Cattitude is a column about my 5 kitty cats and their purrfect adventures!

Some people think their cat is punishing them or misbehaving when they urinate and defecate outside their litter box, on the rug, or anywhere else. In reality, it’s their way of communicating. It’s up to you to pay attention.

Litter Box Communication

Kitties have a natural instinct to use litter boxes. Most will cover their waste with sand because in the wild it could put them in danger if they don’t.

Unlike my cat, Rhiannon, who refuses to cover her natural artwork. While Tiger prefers to make sand art and music by banging on the litter boxes. You can read more about my kitties’ litter box setup at the bottom of this column.

There are four main reasons cats will go outside their litter box.

1. It’s dirty. That’s right, they purrfer a clean bathroom.

2. They don’t like the kitty litter brand or the plastic lining.

3. Safety. Some cats don’t feel safe in an enclosed litter box. Or the box doesn’t have a clear path to escape from other pets.

4. A cry for help that they have urinary problems, especially if the kitty continues to go outside their litter box.

Solutions

1. Take your cat to the vet. Urinary infections can kill a cat.

2. Clean the litter box daily.

3. Put the litter box where your kitty can escape.

4. Take off the hood or get another litter box that is open.

5. Use a different type of litter without the plastic lining in another box to see if your cat will use that one instead.

Urination in Other Spots

Cats are very territorial. It’s normal for them to use their urine to mark territory. Yes, it’s smelly and inconvenient for us. Punishing them for this behavior won’t help. Your cat could be triggered by the following:

1. A new cat or another pet.

2. Used furniture may have the scent of another animal.

3. Neighbor’s cats or feral cats that are hanging around the home.

Solutions

1. Keep the other pet separate and slowly reintroduce them.

2. Get rid of the used furniture. Or give it a good scrubbing.

3. Find methods to keep the outdoor cats away from your home.

Poop Communication

It’s not always about communication because sometimes their stool will get caught in their fur and drop onto the floor.

I would like to share two examples of how cats communicate with their feces.

1st Story

A few decades ago, this woman told me a story about how her cat didn’t like her ex. One time when she was at work, her boyfriend took a nap in bed. Her cat took a poo on his pillow. Ah, what a sight to wake up to!

Instead of punishing her cat, she understood it was communicating how this man wasn’t good for her. Her kitty had no issues with the next man she brought home and later became her husband.

Proof that kitty knows best.

2nd Story

My kitty, Rhiannon, loved to hide behind my robe and long dresses in the closet. It was her safe spot.

When we were moving to a new house, I had to move my clothes to the new closet. Rhiannon walked in a huff when I began this process.

There was a turd in Rhiannon’s spot when I came back to move more clothes. I knew she was mad that I messed up her safe spot. I cleaned it up and put the cat tent in the closet. Then I picked Rhiannon up to show her what I had done. She never defecated there again.

Final Purrs

Please don’t punish your cats for not going in the litter box. I understand how aggravating it is to have to clean it. However, there’s always a reason.

Do you understand your kitty’s pee and poop communication?

FYI, Pamela’s Purrfect Creations is having a sale! $14 for T-shirts and 35% off of everything else.

Purrfect Litter Boxes for Cats