Have you ever wondered why do cats run out of the litter box after pooping? I have. At some point, every cat owner has asked this question.
Do they do it on purpose because they hate it so much? And the most important—is this behavior normal in cats?
The first time my cat got out of the litter box running after pooping, I thought all cats did that. In the second instance, I hoped they all ran out on purpose to poop somewhere else. But I was wrong.
Cats have been domesticated for the past 10,000 years, but they’re still cats at heart. Your cat isn’t a bad boy or girl, it just doesn’t like being inside of the litter pan.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says that about 25 percent of cats will have a litter pan problem at some point in their life, behavior experts say.
Does cat zoomies after pooping qualify as a litter box problem?
There are several explanations as to why this happens. Let’s dive:
Why Does My Cat Run After Pooping?
1. Cat zoomies:
Have you ever watched a cat go nuts, running and jumping all over the place? That’s because they’re having “the zoomies.” It can be very entertaining to watch a cat in the middle of having the zoomies.
They run here and there, jumping up on furniture and falling off, rolling around on the floor, and sometimes even attacking their tails. A cat might have the zoomies for a few minutes or several hours.
If you try to distract him while he’s doing this, your cat stops staring. When a cat gets the zoomies, it will erratically run around the house.
This is very common in kittens who have not yet been spayed or neutered. It is believed that this behavior is caused by pent-up energy, which could be attributed to their reproductive organs being intact.
Why does my cat get Zoomies after pooping?
There are many different causes for the zoomies, but usually, they stem from one of three things: sensory overload, predatory instinct, or playfulness.
Cats have a vagus nerve. It runs from a cat’s brainstem to his colon.
Once your cat poops, it stimulates the vagus nerve creating a euphoric feeling. This energizes your cat and what better way to spend that energy than zoom past you like Usain Bolt?
Treating the Cat Zoomies:
First of all, don’t worry about your cat getting hurt from having the zoomies. A lot of cats will fall off of high places while they are in the middle of running around. They won’t even know how they managed to fall off of something so high up. Cats also don’t mind if they get covered in dirt or if their claws get stuck in furniture while they are running around wildly.
The next time your cat has the zoomies, try to make sure that no one is holding onto them too tightly or trying to hold them back. That could make them panic even more because they don’t understand what’s happening to them.
You can try gently blowing on your cat’s face to settle them down, but usually after a short period.
Although it may be impossible to stop your cat from going into zoomie-mode altogether, you can channel their energy into playing fetch, or even training them to walk on a leash once they get tired out.
2. Tearing after pooping:
Probably, your cat runs away from the litter tray because of pain in the anal area.
Adult cats can develop anal sac polyps or abscesses.
Bowel movement will upset the abscesses causing pain while pooping or peeing.
If a cat does experience pain, getting up from its box too soon can be a sign that something is wrong and you should have your cat examined by its veterinarian, to nullify any medical issue.
3. They don’t like the type of litter used:
A common reason as to why do cats run after they poop, is because they don’t like their litter.
If your cat has been using a clumping litter for a long time and all of a sudden leaves the box you should try changing the kind of litter you use.
If your cat has been using clay litter and all of a sudden goes outside the box switch to a different type of litter.
You may be thinking that your cat doesn’t have a problem with their litter because they have always used it, but just because they have always used it doesn’t mean they like it.
They may have just gotten used to it and now that they are older they don’t like it anymore so they will look for another place to take care of business.
If your cat meows loudly after using the litter box and goes crazy after pooping, check the type of litter you are using.
You can also try adding more attractants to their tray to entice your kitty to use the cat box.
4. The location of the cat box is crucial:
Cats feel vulnerable when they eliminate, so they like to protect themselves by putting things between them and the toilet area.
The cat box should be in a quiet place away from lots of traffic and off-limits to dogs and kids.
Some cats simply won’t go if their box is located somewhere unusual or uncomfortable for them. If you have more than one cat, they might not feel comfortable using a litter box placed near a place where another cat feels safe or spends a lot of time.
Litter boxes are small and limited space, cats might feel trapped inside there. They will aim to quickly finish their litter box business and dash out for safety.
Here are some frequently asked questions on cat behavior.
Why Does My Cat Run Around Before Pooping?
This should not get you worried. It is very typical for a cat to run around before pooping. Some people will call it a “poop derby.” Let’s say they are happy to know that they are well fed and will relieve their digestive system in a few minutes to come. I bet you are also pleased to take a long-awaited bathroom break when you need it most.
Do Cats Like Privacy When They Poop?
Just like you love your privacy while taking a leak, so do cats. Cats love their privacy very much while using the litter box. So please try and keep your litter box concealed away from prying eyes. If you leave your litter box out in the open, you will find your cat making a mess all over your house.
Conclusion:
The next time you find your cat running out of the litter box, guess whether or not they are happy.
Honestly, if you are worried about your cat’s health, the first thing you should do is to bring it to a veterinarian.
A lot of diseases and health conditions may be the cause of accidents outside the litter box. This is why it is so important to find the source and treat it.
Some of those medical conditions may even be fatal for your beloved cat.
However, if it’s a sunny day and the bathroom door is ajar, your cat may just want to go for a run outside.
Or maybe your cat just needs a break from the litter box that may not feel as comfortable or clean as he or she would like it.
Whatever the reason is for their behavior, the solution is usually pretty simple.
