Why is my cat pooping outside the box with loose, stinky stool?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Female | spayed | 5 years and 6 months old
One of my cats, not sure which, is having loose, large, shiny stools. The litter box stinks horribly. This cat has now started pooping outside the box in the same room as the litter box. This cat has also started pooping on the living room carpet. I have a part Maine Coon, 12 years old, and a short haired calico, 5 years old. Both indoor cats. They eat Halo indoor, geo free dry food. Help!
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on July 11th, 2017
Issues with faeces such as these can be indicative of issues in the gut. It could just be inflammation such as gastroenteritis or colitis, but sometimes it can indicate problems such as inflammatory bowel disease or tumours etc. You could try adding a probiotic to both of their feed and see if that helps, but I think it would be worth taking them both to the vet for an exam if it continues for more than a day or so.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on October 30th, 2016
It's possible your kitty is experiencing some fecal incontinence, or may have an issue such as internal parasites or even a functional problem. Parasites, food allergies, and even motility issues in cats may cause fecal problems to occur such as leakage. Stools that are very wet or have hair in them may also become stuck to your cat's fur or anus, leading to leaving bits on furniture or bedding as it dries and falls off. It is best to schedule a vet checkup to see if there are any health problems causing it, as well as bring in a sample of your cat's stool to check for parasites and consistency. Your vet may recommend medications or even a diet change/supplement to firm up stool if it is loose, or to help ease constipation.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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