{"id":22699,"date":"2022-11-24T09:07:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-24T16:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/outwardhound.com\/furtropolis\/?p=22699"},"modified":"2022-11-23T06:08:20","modified_gmt":"2022-11-23T13:08:20","slug":"why-do-cats-bury-their-poop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/outwardhound.com\/furtropolis\/cats\/why-do-cats-bury-their-poop","title":{"rendered":"Why Do Cats Bury Their Poop?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cats do some weird things, from peeing on your sofa, and coughing up hairballs to sucking on blankets. One habit you\u2019ve noticed your cat has picked up lately is burying her poop. Now, you\u2019re wondering: Why do cats bury their poop? Is it normal cat behavior to cover up their feces, or should you be concerned? You hope this isn\u2019t some sort of medical issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn some of the reasons why indoor cats engage in this strange behavior, and then make sure you call your veterinarian if you think there is a larger medical problem at play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019re Hiding From Predators<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Some wild cats, the ancestors of domestic cats<\/a>, would hide their excrement in the wild. They did this so they would not draw the attention of larger predators, like big cats, since these animals communicate through scent markers called pheromones. Cat poop may smell the same to you, but cats can tell the difference because of pheromones. Burying poop is an instinctual behavior that cats also learn from their mothers. Even if a house cat is safe in her cat owner\u2019s home, she may bury her poop anyway because it\u2019s ingrained in her to do so. It\u2019s only natural. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, big cats like jaguars<\/a>, leopards, and tigers do not cover their poop in the wild. This is because they want to mark their territory and claim a certain area as their own. It\u2019s a method for keeping other cats away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019re Showing They Aren\u2019t a Threat <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Another reason why your feline friend may be burying their poop in their litter box or in the yard is that they want to show other cats in the area that they aren\u2019t threatening. It\u2019s another way to protect themselves out there in the wild. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Related reading: How to Train a Kitten to Use a Litter Box<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019re Trying to Rid of Disease<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you find buried poop in your cat\u2019s litter box, then she could be doing it for health reasons. Perhaps she is trying to decrease her chances of having parasites. Or, she may just want a cleaner litter box. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019re Dealing With a Medical Issue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Your cat may (or may not) be burying her poop because she is dealing with a medical problem. She may have a urinary tract infection, for instance, and burying her poop could be too painful for her to do. She might want to get out of the litter box as fast as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Burying Poop Normal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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If your cat has always buried her poop, then she is likely just tapping into her natural instincts and trying to cover her tracks, like her wild ancestors used to do. But if she\u2019s recently started doing it, or she stopped doing this feline behavior, then you could be dealing with a bigger issue at hand. She may have a medical problem. Or, she could be stressed if you got a new cat<\/a> in the house. She could be trying to be the dominant cat. If you brought someone new into your household or there have been any other changes, those could lead to behavioral issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first step to take if there\u2019s been a change in your cat’s toileting habits is to talk to your vet. If your cat is healthy physically, then she may be having some mental issues like anxiety or stress. Here are some ways of dealing with those issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give Your Cat Her Own Space<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Make sure your feline friend has a space of her own<\/a>, whether that\u2019s a private room or a space in the corner of a shared room. You should put her litter box, food and water bowls, bed, toys, scratching post, and any other belongings in that area. Then, she\u2019ll always have a sanctuary to come back to at the end of the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In terms of her litter box, either get a self-cleaning one that works well or scoop it daily if you use a clumping litter<\/a>. Doing a thorough cleaning once per month is recommended as well. If you have a multi-cat household, then cleaning the litter box every two to three weeks is better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can find a calming cat bed for your cat like the Calming Oval Cat Bed Pad. It simulates the feeling of comfort and security kittens get from their mother cat. On this bed, the raised rim offers head and neck support, while the filling offers joint and muscle pain relief, which is especially important for older cats. If you have a multi-cat household, get a bed for every cat so that they don\u2019t have to share.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Offer Toys to Your Cat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Cats need stimulation. If they have toys, they can get their energy out and feel less stressed at the same time. Plus, if you play with your cat, you will be able to bond. She\u2019ll feel more secure knowing that she has you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Straw-Babies Cat Dental Catnip Toy is sure to get your cat excited and energized. It comes in a three-pack and contains catnip and crinkle. These will keep your cat engaged in play and activate her natural hunting instincts. Plus, the multiple textures will help floss your cat\u2019s teeth to keep them clean. This toy is the ideal shape and size for your cat to bat, carry, and chase \u2013 all things they like to do naturally.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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Straw-Babies Cat Dental Catnip Toy – 3 Pack, Pink<\/h3>\n\t\t\t

Straw-Babies 3 Pack by Petstages is a delightfully engaging catnip toy your kitty needs! The feathered cat toy contains catnip and crinkle to keep cats engaged in play and activate their natural hunting instincts. Multiple textures help floss to keep teeth clean for good dental health. These berry-sized toys are also perfect for cats to bat at, carry around, and chase!HELPS CLEAN TEETH: Multiple textures…<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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