My 3-year-old male neutered cat has been doing strange poop-related things. The other day he ran out of his litter box with a turd still hanging out of his butt (by what kind of thread or hairball, I don't know). Lately he's been rubbing his butt on the floor and smearing poop in the process. Today he pooped in the bathtub and was apparently rubbing his butt around there, too. (Well, he didn't poop officially. There was no whole turd, which I don't get.)
So you'd think he has worms (this could explain why he'd drag his butt around the cold bathtub), but he's an indoor cat and I haven't been able to find anything that looks like a worm in either of my cats' stool. Any ideas what else it could be?
P.S. He's kind of a brat and I wouldn't doubt it if he was doing it for attention. Both my cats eat dry Science Diet.
2007-03-20 18:51:08 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Take him to the vet for an exam, and to get his anal glands checked. Cats & dogs have glands that secrete a fluid when they poop, and sometimes those glands don't empty properly and get full and uncomfortable (which is what causes the butt-dragging), and sometimes they can get infected. Worms are also a possibility, even though you haven't seen any signs. Take a fresh sample of his poop with you in a baggie when you go to the vet, so the vet can check it for worm eggs. If you can't bring a sample, the vet can take one from your cat at the clinic.
The long hair suggestion is a valid one too. The combs on a cat's tongue that help it groom also prevent the cat from being able to spit out long hairs, strings, thread, dental floss, etc.. If a cat gets a thin string caught on its tongue, it has no choice but to swallow it, which can be very distressing to the cat & even cause serious problems if a cat swallows thread or string. Be very careful never to leave string, floss or thread out where the cat can get into it. If you have long hair, vacuum frequently or try to wear your hair up when you're around the house, and to pick up any hairs you shed when you brush or comb your hair (I comb my hair over the sink so it's easy to pick up the hairs & throw them away).
Adding some canned food to your cat's diet may help it to pass any hairballs more easily. You can also give your cat a tablespoon of plain canned pumpkin (no sugar or seasonings) for fiber, or sprinkle a fiber capsule for cats from the pet store over his food to help him pass hairballs. Make sure he has plenty of fresh water available too.
2007-03-20 20:49:25 · answer #1 · answered by Bess2002 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He could have worms, More likely it's impacted anal glands, in which case you will need to take him to the vet and have them show you how to express it, it's gross but it has to be done. It sounds as though he's experiencing pain when pooping in the litterbox so he associates the pain, with the box and thinks if he doesn't go in there it won't hurt.
Also the hair hanging out, do you have long hair? Cats often ingest these and they tickle their bum and drive them mad. You might need to put him on a hairball formula as they tend to have more fibre.
Often they will pee and poop in the bathtub because the pheremones from us washing have collected in the drain and they think it's cat pee there. At least the bathtub is easier to clean than your bed or sofa!
2007-03-21 03:25:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure if cats has anal glands or not like dogs do, when a dog usually is seen rubbing his butt on the ground it is either a plugged anal gland or some sort an irritation such as a infection, crusted fur, etc.
You should check with your vet to see if what the problem may be.
2007-03-21 03:16:59 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It could be any number of things. Cats also use their poop to mark territory. Has he seen another animal outside near your home? If not, he could also be pooping or smearing his poop out of frustration or stress. Is he bored? Does he get enough stimulation from his environment? Has anything changed in his routine, in the household, in his environment that could have stressed him out? If you can find out why he is smearing his poop (threat of another aimal in his territory; boredone; frustration; stress), then you can mount an appropriate strategy to stop him from doing it.
2007-03-21 03:00:10 · answer #4 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my cat poops in the bath tub when she thinks her litter box is to dirty for her.she keeps me on my toes.i gotta make sure its always clean or shell leave me a nice reminder in the tub.
2007-03-21 09:11:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋