How Can I Stop My Cat From Pooping Outside The Litter Box

I'd love to have a cat but I hate the smell of cat poop and disgusted by the prospect of cleaning a litter box being my daily routine.

The ugly truth is that most cats will play host to some manner of parasite at some point in their lives. An unsettling thought by itself, but when you consider that the unwelcome guest could spread to you or your other pets by way of your infected cat's poop, it's enough to turn your stomach. Common parasites such as roundworms or tapeworms typically spread their eggs by way of your cat's stool, and can pass from cat to cat through a shared litter box. Your dog could also get the nasty freeloaders if he has access to the litter box and likes to, ahem, snack on the “treats” inside.

When it comes to location it’s also important to look at what’s convenient and easy to access for the cat. A litter box in the basement may be unappealing because of the dampness or because of the discomfort of going up and down stairs if a cat is older or less mobile. A cat shouldn’t have to travel too far to find a place to pee or poop. There should be litter box availability on each floor of your home. The box should be a location that’s safe and will allow the cat to eliminate without being disturbed or startled.

What to Do When Your Cat Poops Outside the Box – Dr. Sophia Yin Why Does my Cat Poop Outside the Box? - The Spruce

Here’s a sobering thought for every cat owner in charge of emptying the litter box: Felines deposit about 1.2 million metric tons of feces into the U.S. environment every year, a new study finds, and all that poop may pose an under-recognized public health hazard. There are a few reasons why cats may poop on the floor, some of which may indicate a medical or behavioral condition. But sometimes this problem arises when a cat finds that something about their litter box is not up to their standards. If you want to keep your cat using the litter box regularly, caring for your cat’s litter box properly is essential. Here are five common mistakes that cat owners make with their cat’s litter box. Though all cats need veterinary care on a regular basis, a cat that suddenly starts urinating or defecating outside of the litter box should prompt an immediate consultation with your veterinarian. A number of health issues can result in litter box issues and these conditions should be ruled out before assuming that the problem is behavioral in origin. Dr. Lorie Huston Cats acquire the parasite when they eat infected prey, such as mice or birds, and then shed the oocysts in their poop. Children may ingest oocysts present in sandboxes and backyard dirt, said Torrey, who wants better control of the cat population, including feral cats, and better covering and monitoring of kids’ play areas.
My 19 year old cat uses her litter box regularly. However, she has the bad habit of jumping in it, and poops with her butt hanging over the edge. So, …