Cats are naturally clean and neat animals. Abnormal potty behavior in cats could be due to a number of factors such as health problems, environmental factors, or stress conditions. Pooping in the sink or bathroom and refusing to use the litter box can be corrected if the primary cause can be identified.
Why do cats poop in the sink or bathroom?
- Health problems: Struggling to pass out feces, pooping when you are there, constipation, squatting to urinate or crying indicates an underlying health condition that could make your cat poop in odd places.
- Behavioral problems: Some cats like to poop inside the sink to enforce dominance in a house that has more than one cat. If the litter box is dirty, they can opt to use the sink because it is clean and most cats are attracted to the smell of bleach, hence, they poop to neutralize the smell.
- Emotional stress: Any form of emotional stress such as a member of the house leaving or death of a member of the house can affect a cat’s emotional health and cause abnormal potty behavior.
How To Prevent Your Cats From Pooping In The Sink
- Sandbox changes: The litterbox should always be clean. Consider adding a second litterbox placed in a different room so that the cat can have options. The second litter box can be rotated between bathtubs. If the cat gets used to using the litter box instead of the sink, then you can move the litter box out of the tub to a preferred place. Ensure that the litterbox is not close to where the cat eats and drinks. Also, use simple-designed litter boxes.
- Changes in the environment: Fill the bathtub temporarily with water to discourage your cat from pooping there. You can also use a new detergent to clean the bathtub.
- Treat underlying health condition: if you suspect your cat is struggling to poop, crying, constipated, or pooping in your presence, visit your veterinarian for a checkup and treatment.
