Cats are known for their fastidious grooming habits and instinctual behaviors, particularly when it comes to their litter box etiquette. It’s a common expectation for our feline friends to bury their waste, a behavior rooted in their ancestral instincts to avoid attracting predators.
However, you may have noticed that your cat has suddenly stopped covering its poop. This change in behavior can be puzzling and concerning for pet owners.

In this blog post, we will explore the various reasons behind this unexpected shift, including health issues, environmental factors, and behavioral changes. By understanding the possible causes, you can take the right steps to support your cat’s well-being and ensure a happy litter box experience for both you and your furry companion. Let’s delve into the world of feline litter box habits and uncover the reasons behind this curious behavior.
Why your cat stops covering its poop?
There are several reasons why a cat may stop covering its poop, and understanding these can help address the behavior.
Firstly, the cat may be feeling insecure or anxious, leading it to exhibit changes in toilet habits; this can happen if there are changes in the household, such as new pets, new people, or alterations to its environment.
Additionally, some cats might stop covering their waste due to pain or discomfort while using the litter box, possibly indicating health issues such as arthritis or gastrointestinal problems.
Furthermore, if the litter box is not to the cat’s liking—due to its cleanliness, type of litter, or location—it may become less inclined to cover its feces. Finally, some cats may simply exhibit dominant behavior, signaling their territory by leaving their waste uncovered. Addressing these factors can help encourage your cat to return to its previous habits.
Why Doesn’t My Cat Cover His Pee Anymore?
There are several reasons your cat might stop covering their urine:
- Territorial Behavior: In multi-pet households, a cat may stop covering their pee to assert dominance or mark their territory, particularly if they feel threatened or challenged by other animals.
- Stress or Anxiety: Changes in the household environment such as moving, new pets, or disruptions can lead to stress that affects your cat’s litter box habits. A stressed cat may choose to leave their waste uncovered as a response.
- Health Issues: Medical conditions, including urinary tract infections or other bladder problems, can influence a cat’s litter box behavior. If your cat seems to struggle with covering their pee, a veterinary check-up is advisable.
What Does Unhealthy Cat Poop Look Like?
Monitoring your cat’s stool can provide valuable insights into their health. Here are signs that may indicate unhealthy cat poop:
- Color Changes: Normal cat poop is typically brown. Any significant deviations, such as black (which could indicate bleeding) or red (which may show fresh blood), warrant immediate veterinary attention.
- Consistency: Healthy stools are firm and moist. Diarrhea (soft, watery stools) or constipation (hard, dry stools) can both indicate underlying health problems.
- Odor: While all cat waste has some odor, an unusually foul smell may signal a dietary issue or digestive problem.
Why Does My Cat Keep Standing in His Poop?
If your cat is standing in their poop, several factors could be at play:
- Discomfort or Pain: Cats may struggle to position themselves properly if they are experiencing pain from conditions like arthritis or have abdominal discomfort. This can cause them to inadvertently step in their waste.
- Litter Box Issues: A dirty or unsuitable litter box may discourage proper digging and covering behavior. If the litter box size or type is inappropriate, your cat may avoid using it properly and instead stand in their poop.
- Behavioral Problems: As a last resort, your cat may be sending a signal, such as stress, anxiety, or attention-seeking behavior. Assess any recent changes in their environment that could contribute to this.
Common Reasons Cats Stop Covering Their Poop
1. Health Issues
One of the foremost reasons for a change in your cat’s litter box behavior could be underlying health problems. Conditions such as:
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Cats with UTIs often associate pain with urination and may avoid burying their waste.
- Gastrointestinal Problems: Diarrhea or other digestive issues can lead to discomfort, influencing their litter box habits.
- Arthritis or Mobility Issues: Older cats or those with joint pain may struggle to position themselves to cover their feces effectively.
If you notice sticking to these issues alongside changes in litter box behavior, it’s advisable to consult a veterinarian to rule out any health concerns.
2. Litter Box Aversion
Cats are particular about their litter boxes, and various factors may cause aversion:
- Dirty Litter Box: If the litter box is not cleaned regularly, your cat may refuse to cover its poop. Cats prefer a clean environment, and neglect could lead to their showing displeasure.
- Type of Litter: A sudden change in litter brand or type can cause discomfort. Cats may dislike the texture or scent of the new litter.
- Location of the Litter Box: If the litter box is located in a noisy or high-traffic area, your cat may feel anxious and stop covering its waste.
Make sure to maintain a clean litter box and consider observing your cat’s preferences regarding litter type and box location.
3. Behavioral Changes
Behavioral factors can also influence a cat’s willingness to cover its poop:
- Stress or Anxiety: Changes in the home environment, like new pets, moving to a new house, or changes in the family dynamics, can cause stress and alter your cat’s behavior.
- Territorial Marking: Cats may stop burying their feces as a way of marking territory, especially in multi-pet households or in response to the presence of other animals outside.
Regularly providing mental stimulation and ensuring your cat feels secure can help mitigate these issues.
4. Age-Related Factors
As cats age, their behaviors and physical abilities may change:
- Cognitive Decline: Older cats may experience cognitive dysfunction, leading to disorientation that affects their litter box habits.
- Physical Limitations: Seniors may find it harder to squat or maneuver around the litter box, which may influence their ability to cover their waste.
If your cat is getting older and shows concerning signs, a visit to the vet can help in understanding and managing these changes.
What You Can Do
If your cat has stopped covering its poop, here are steps you can take:
- Monitor Your Cat’s Health: Keep an eye out for any other signs of illness, such as changes in appetite, lethargy, or unusual behavior, and consult your vet as needed.
- Clean the Litter Box Regularly: Ensure the litter box is cleaned daily and fully sanitized weekly to encourage your cat to use it correctly.
- Evaluate the Environment: Assess any recent changes in the home that might be stressing your cat and make necessary adjustments.
- Consider Litter Preferences: Experiment with different types of litter to determine what your cat prefers.
Conclusion
Understanding why your cat has stopped covering its poop is essential for addressing any underlying issues that might be affecting its behavior. Whether it’s a health concern, environmental aspect, or behavioral shift, being attentive and responsive to your cat’s needs will help foster a happier and healthier environment.
Remember, if you are ever in doubt about your cat’s health or behavior, seeking professional veterinary advice is always a wise decision. A happy cat contributes to a harmonious home!
Cat covers pee but not poop:
If you notice something strange with the cat, which is that the cat does not cover up the poop in the litter box. Then you see another thing, which is that the cat covers up the pee but don’t cover up the poop. In this specific case, you should check out the litter in the litter box.
It might be because of the litter quantity the cat likes. Try increasing the amount of litter in the litter box this might do the trick. Cats are somewhat mysterious creatures; no one knows what the actual solution to the problem is.
In case the litter quantity doesn’t work, then it means the cat has to do something with the litter box itself. She might not even like the material or texture of the litter box. Even the lid of the litter box might be the problem. The cat might not even like the location of the litter box because it doesn’t like change. So, try these different scenarios to solve the problem
In case these don’t work, there can always be a medical cause of the problem. The cat might not have a sound digestive system; she might have a problem while pooping or even so she might have constipation. Cleanliness is another factor that cats like, so cleaning the litterbox might be the problem solver.
Cat trying to cover poop but can’t:
Cats are somewhat mysterious creatures. So, in case you have one who forgot how to cover up the poop in the litter box while scratching the litter box instead, then it might be due to the need for cat becoming the top one in the house.
If you have more than one cat in the home, then in this scenario, if the cat goes through all the steps of creating space, digging the litter and finding the angle to poop on it. Then at the end cannot find the right level to cover it up. It is due to the urge of that single cat to become the top one or the alpha cat in the home.
There is another medical cause that supports this, and it is the early separation. Early separation meant the cat was separated from the mother at a very early stage of life, so the cat scratches the side of the litter box, pawing at the litter and other stuff. So, she might have forgotten about how to cover it up or even so doesn’t simply want to cover up the poop.
In the end, it can all just be our imagination. The cat might have forgotten how to cover up the poop in the litter box entirely. So, in this scenario, you can train the cat on how to pour litter over her poop.

Cat steps in its poop?
Cat doesn’t step in its own poop unless there is no other place to place the paws on. In case there is litter in the litter box, cats tend to poop inside the litter, which is easy to clean from. Cats are very clean and neat creatures that don’t like dirt or uncleanliness. Therefore, it is the primary thing to clean each and everything of the cat.
Still, in case, the cats tend to walk on the poop in the litter and then walk around the house, which tends to bring a nasty sight in the home. Then it would be best if you considered increasing the size of the litter box. By increasing the scale, I mean to have a larger litter box that has a larger surface area for the cat, and that has more litter storage.
In case the cat still has tracks of poop on the paws, then you should look at the poop; it might be that the cat has loose feces. In this case, carry the cat to the vet to check her up.

What does it mean if a cat stops covering poop?
There are many reasons which lead to the cat no covering the poop in the litter box. The most natural among then could be the marking of territory. When the cat stops covering her poop means that she or he is marking the territory, but it only in case of other pets or creatures. To solve this, you should have a separate litter box for each cat in the home.
It might be because of the medical issue like pain in the paws of the cat, constipation, or other medical problems. To solve medical issues, you need to take your cat to the doctor or vet.
Other than that, it might be due to the litter box. The cat doesn’t like it, or it has less area for the cat, or it can also be that the location of the litter box. There is also a common problem among cats, which is the quantity of litter in the litter box.
Read More:
Conclusion
Understanding why your cat stops covering its poop is crucial for maintaining their health and well-being. This behavior can stem from a range of factors, including discomfort, litter box issues, or even behavioral problems. By observing your cat closely and considering any recent changes in their environment or health, you can identify potential causes.
If the behavior persists or is accompanied by other concerning signs, it’s essential to consult with your veterinarian. Addressing these issues promptly can help ensure your cat remains happy and healthy, fostering a cleaner and more comfortable living space for both you and your feline friend.