Cat Not Burying Poop

whatsmyname · ‎03-19-2010

Our cat, age 14, has developed the new habit of not burying her poop. After she goes, she bolts out of her box like she was shot out of a cannon and runs to the other end of the house. Sometimes she drops a little something along the way.

We’ve used the same brand of litter for almost her entire life so nothing new there. We haven’t moved her box at all. Haven’t changed the amount of litter in the box. We scoop her box at least once a day and do new litter once a week.

This started shortly after she got over a problem with constipation. For about four months last year she was constipated and sometimes wouldn’t go for 5-6 days. We made several trips to the vet, had bloodwork twice, x-rays, over $2,000 spent. The vet couldn’t find anything wrong so had us give her lactulose three times a day. She cried so bad when we gave it to her; it broke our hearts to do it. We stopped after four months because it wasn’t helping her go (it did help with softening). I demanded that we try changing food (she was on Hills CD bladder for years because of a bladder stone when she was younger), which we did and that fixed the problem. Anyway, I’m wondering if somehow the stress from the constipation situation and sitting in the box has brought on this new bad habit.

Any thoughts are welcomed! Thank you!!

Venezia · ‎03-09-2010

@whatsmyname - It could just be her age and whether she suffers from some type of arthritis.

Our 17-year-old does the same now; doesn't stop to bury it and sometimes has little accidents. We just accept it and clean it up. She's an old girl, by kitty standards and is otherwise healthy.

Although, our kitty doesn't bolt out of the litterbox, just steps out and we also clean the box several times a day. (We have two cats now.)

As long as your cat is still doing her best to use the litterbox, I think you may have to live with it. Or she may settle down and get back to normal.

FranandZoe · ‎03-09-2010

I agree with Venezia - no big deal. Be glad she's using the litter box especially after having a problem.

My cat is 18 - 19 in July and she does this occasionaly. She even sometimes doesn't cover her urine. She also sometimes scoops a lot of litter out of the box no matter if I use more or less litter. I just clean it up. I'm happy I still have her. And glad she uses the litter box. Her sister died a year ago.

fthunt · ‎12-24-2010

Sounds like 'going' is causing some sort of pain......covering poo is the last thing on her mind. She runs off trying to run away from what hurts.

Saw this behavior in one of our dogs after surgery.

FranandZoe · ‎03-09-2010

They do it for many reasons - not necessarily in pain - google it.

whatsmyname · ‎03-19-2010

If I did, I didn’t mean to imply that we’re upset with her. We’re just trying to figure out if there’s something causing her stress that we could eliminate for her. We love her dearly and do as you say — just scoop it immediately and clean up any accidents. We could never be mad at her. She is the sweetest girl. My husband and I can relate to old age, for sure!!

Jo1313 · ‎02-02-2021

@FranandZoe wrote:
I agree with Venezia - no big deal. Be glad she's using the litter box especially after having a problem.

My cat is 18 - 19 in July and she does this occasionaly. She even sometimes doesn't cover her urine. She also sometimes scoops a lot of litter out of the box no matter if I use more or less litter. I just clean it up. I'm happy I still have her. And glad she uses the litter box. Her sister died a year ago.

Our pampered "old ladies" are 14&17..They stopped covering anything a long time ago..We scoop the boxes a few times a day..I add some baking soda also.

We had a spoiled "old" guy that passed at 22...he never covered either...had to buy an under the bed storage tote for his litter box..he developed issues with his back legs..and it was easier for him to get in and out..

scruffsmom · ‎03-09-2010

My Scruffy was a connstruction manager at covering his poop. Even though they had mulitple boxes the cats shared one and Sweetie never covered hers. Since Sweetie crossed the rainbow bridge Scruff no longer covers his poop. I don;t know why. He's almost 17 so I'm glad he uses the box.

Venezia · ‎03-09-2010

@whatsmyname - No, I don't think anyone thought that you are upset with your furbaby. Just asking for other cat owner's experiences and that's okay!

These forums are a great source of information for all of us.

catter70 · ‎10-11-2017

I have 3 cats, two 11 years old and one 5 year old. The older 2 have never covered. They pretend they are, but don't which wakes me up. It's especially bad in the middle of the night when the older male goes as the one litter box is in my bathroom. He could use the other, but doesn't. He pretends that he's covering but isn't and he stinks up the place and of course I have to get out of bed to dispose of it. I don't get it, but you can't teach an old cat new tricks.