Noticing your cat pooping on the floor can get you thinking how cat parenting is really challenging. To be honest, it really is, in moments like these.
However, it’s important to understand that your normally litter-trained and docile cat won’t show this type of behavior without a fine reason.
So, you should try to figure out what might have caused your cat to defecate outside her litter box. Of course, you want to make sure your cat is healthy and satisfied, and you also eagerly want to stop seeing your cat’s feces all over your floors and carpets!
Consulting a veterinarian would be the best thing to do in situations like these. Still, there are also some home remedies to stop cats from pooping on floor.
Let’s look at five of them that can be very helpful for your problem.
1. Cat Repellent Spray
A good thing to do is to make your floors and carpets repellent for your furry companion.
Since cats hate oranges, as well as all other citrus fruits, this could be your solution to stop your cat from pooping on the floor.
According to Cats Protection, cats have an extremely sensitive sense of smell, and, since citrus fruits are so aromatic, they can’t stand it.
You can expect your cat to dislike the smell of any citrus on your floor, which will discourage her from pooping on it.
This homemade repellent spray for your cat should be made out of water and oranges.
First you should boil around 2 cups of water, and, after it has boiled, add a cup of orange rind and cook it together for around 30 minutes.
Afterwards it’s necessary to wait until the mix cools down. Then you should pour it in a spray bottle and spray it all over your floors and carpets. This smell is something your cat won't like for sure!
For a visual demonstration of how cats disapprove of oranges, check the video below.
2. Vinegar
A bottle of vinegar is something all of us have in our homes, since it’s truly a multi-purpose product.
When it comes to felines, vinegar can be used as a natural home remedy for a couple of issues, such as treating hot spots, urinary tract infections, and as a tick and flea treatment as well.
Another thing vinegar can be very helpful for is preventing your cat from pooping on the floor. Given cats' highly sensitive sense of smell, the acidic scent of vinegar can be downright unpleasant for them.
Once again, you can make a deterrent spray by mixing water and vinegar in a spray bottle, and then spray it all over the floors in your home.
3. Onions
Speaking of strong smells, I believe onions take the prize in this department!
I’m sure all of you also have some onion in your storeroom, since this ingredient makes any lunch taste better. Well, this vegetable could also put an end to your struggling with your cat’s feces on your carpet.
Your cat will hate the onion’s unpleasant smell. What you should do is to put onions in the juicer. After you have the extract, you should add some water in it, and then spray the mix on your carpet and floors.
4. Cinnamon
This is another smell your cat hates, but you will love it since it might help you prevent her from pooping outside her litter box!
You know the drill by now – mix some cinnamon with water in a bottle spray, then apply it to the area where you want to keep your cat away.
5. Essential Oils
Cats also dislike the smell of essential oils, meaning that this is another option to stop your furry friend from pooping on the floor.
Citronella oil or eucalyptus oil have a pungent smell that will make your cat go away as soon as she smells it!
You can make these solutions by adding a few drops of the oil in a bottle of water and then spraying it over your floors.
What Could Cause Your Cat To Poop On Floor?
Several factors can cause your cat to poop on floor, such as:
• A problem with her litter box, such as it not being perfectly clean, or perhaps she doesn’t approve of its location
• Any kind of environmental change, such as moving, can cause a change in a cat’s litter box habits, according to Embassy Lakes Animal Hospitals
• Health problems, such as food sensitivities or allergies, or joint problems like arthritis, that are preventing her from using her litter box
Previously mentioned home remedies can be very helpful to stop your cat from defecating on your floors.
Still, I strongly advise you to take her for a veterinarian check-up, to be sure her destructive behavior isn’t caused by a health problem.
Final Words
Constantly cleaning your carpet and floors off your carpets and floors is definitely something you weren’t expecting upon welcoming a furry companion in your home.
Well, you can’t predict all the situations that might occur, and this is something many cat owners will have to deal with.
Luckily, there are home remedies to stop cats from pooping on floor. As we've discussed, the key to these remedies is their potent odor, which should discourage felines from defecating in areas where they can detect it.
All of these solutions are almost inexpensive and probably all of you have at least one of them on hand at this exact moment.
However, I would like to emphasize that this might be a short-term solution only. Consulting a veterinarian is a right thing to do whenever you notice any kind of change in your cat’s behavior.
Perhaps you would also like to learn answers about why cats poop in the bath. Catch you there!
