Cleaning up cat poop isn't exactly the most exciting part of owning a cat. In fact, most of you probably don't even think about what a cat's stool should look like, or how often they should poop.
But I'm sure that each of you will notice if there are some changes, such as your cat suddenly pooping a lot. You will notice this while cleaning her litter box, and some cats may defecate outside of the designated area.
Why does my cat poop so much? Should I be worried, or is this usually not related to health problems in cats?
It could be, so it’s necessary for cat parents to be informed about this phenomenon. Let's look at the 5 most common causes of frequent pooping in cats.
1. Your Cat’s Diet
The first potential explanation for your cat pooping too much is related to her nutrition, as many of you have probably assumed.
Maybe you have recently changed your cat’s diet, and this caused an upset stomach in her. Or, perhaps, your cat is getting food from some other sources besides the cat food you’re feeding her.
Some cats can also have food intolerance causing them to defecate more often. VCA Animal Hospitals explains that lactose intolerance is the most frequent one in felines.
This means that a cat can develop symptoms such as frequent pooping, diarrhea, and bloating after ingesting goat’s or cow’s milk.
How To Help?
First, you should observe your cat’s eating habits, and also check whether she shows any other symptoms besides pooping often.
Maybe your cat will need a change to her diet. You should consult your veterinarian on the best way to do this, and on the best kind of food your cat needs.
Also, you should make sure that your cat isn’t eating too much. Some of the nice neighbors might be feeding her regularly, without you even noticing.
This isn’t recommended, since, this way, your cat can become obese, which will seriously impact her quality of life.
See Also: Can Cats Drink Almond Milk Or Is It Dangerous For Them?
2. Food Allergies
Besides food intolerance, cats showing frequent bowel movements might also have an allergic reaction to a certain food.
A. Verlinden and his associates [1] explain how food allergies in cats present a non-seasonal disease that can manifest in gastrointestinal disorders, as well as skin problems.
Some of the foods that most commonly cause allergic reactions in cats are dairy, chicken, fish, and beef. In some cases, your cat might consume a certain food for a longer period of time, but it will still cause an allergic reaction in her eventually.
How To Help?
The veterinarian will first need to confirm the food allergy diagnosis in your cat.
It isn’t possible to completely cure the food allergy in a cat, but this condition is manageable. The most important thing here is to avoid the ingredient that’s causing an allergic reaction in your cat.
Your veterinarian will give you all the necessary information about the best food for your kitten. You’ll need to be very careful and carefully read all the labels on the cat’s food and treats.
3. Stress And Anxiety
If your cat is suddenly pooping far more frequently than she normally does, she could be anxious or stressed about something.
For example, many cats poop when scared. If you can’t think of anything that could be stressing your kitten out, you should know that cats are very sensitive, even about some changes in their surroundings you might not even notice.
For example, a new family member, you moving to another house, or some of the people that come over, can all be sources of stress for your furry friend.
How To Help?
You’ll need to try to determine the exact cause of stress and anxiety in your cat.
You should also try to comfort her, but still give her some space, if she prefers to be alone.
If you notice this problem is more serious, and that your cat is very anxious, you should talk to the veterinarian.
He might even prescribe some anxiety medications to help your cat.
4. Colitis
Another potential cause of frequent pooping in cats is colitis, which is the inflammation of the last portion of the cat’s digestive tract.
Glencoe Animal Hospital explains that there are many causes of colitis in felines, such as parasites, intestinal bacterial overgrowth, altered diet, stress, etc.
Besides pooping more than usual, cats with this health problem might also vomit and have diarrhea containing fresh blood.
How To Help?
You’ll need to take a sample of your cat’s feces to the vet clinic. The vet will also perform a rectal exam to diagnose colitis in your cat.
Sometimes, an abdominal ultrasound or a biopsy of the intestinal tissue will also be required.
Colitis treatment usually includes antibiotics, a special diet, or immunosuppressive medications.
5. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease is another health condition that can cause frequent bowel movements in cats.
This condition makes a cat’s gastrointestinal tract chronically inflamed and irritated, according to Cornell Feline Health Center.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease usually affects older cats, but it might also occur in younger ones.
Some additional signs of this health issue are weight loss, diarrhea, lethargy, and vomiting.
How To Help?
Once again, the veterinarian will need to make a diagnosis, and suggest an adequate treatment.
There isn’t a single treatment, so he will probably suggest dietary modification, and various anti-inflammatory medications for your cat.
Some cats might also need to take corticosteroids. This disease can be controlled, but it’s essential to follow the vet’s instructions, and to monitor the cat’s reactions to medications carefully.
How Often Should A Cat Poop?
Most healthy adult cats will poop at least once a day, as WebMD points out.
So, if you notice your cat is pooping a couple of times a day, and this has been happening for 2 or more days in a row, something is going around.
One of the previously mentioned 5 causes can explain this frequent pooping.
So, you can learn a lot about your cat’s health from her feces. Another important thing for cat parents is to be able to recognize the healthy color of a cat’s poop, which is a deep brown.
You can learn more useful information in our cat poop color chart.
Final Thoughts
I hope you have found the answer to your question: Why does my cat poop so much?
Maybe she’s having a food allergy or food intolerance, and it’s the perfect moment for a change in her diet.
Perhaps she’s dealing with some stressful situation that’s making her poop more often than usual.
Even if she’s struggling with a health problem, like colitis or Inflammatory Bowel Disease, you still shouldn’t panic.
Veterinarians are here to help you and offer the best possible treatment for your pet.
All you have to do is call the vet when you notice any unusual symptoms in your cat. Don't forget that the key to treating any health problem is a timely response.
References:
[1] Verlinden A, Hesta M, Millet S, Janssens GP. Food allergy in dogs and cats: a review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2006;46(3):259-73. DOI, Retrieved June 21, 2023.Read Next: 4 Reasons Why Cat Keeps Pooping On Floor, With Solutions
