Reasons why cats don't bury their poop

Cats not burying their poop can be mainly attributed to the following reasons: dirty litter box, cat not knowing how to bury poop, declaring ownership, unsuitable litter box or litter, and health issues. First, if your cat suddenly stops burying its poop, it could be due to a dirty litter box or an unsuitable litter. Second, if the cat has never buried its poop since it was young, it might genuinely not know how to do so. Additionally, if the cat was previously fine but suddenly starts not burying its poop, it could be to declare ownership. Lastly, if the cat doesn't bury its poop along with other abnormal behaviors, it could be a health issue, and it's recommended to seek veterinary care promptly.

1. Dirty litter box

Cats are very clean animals. If the owner doesn't regularly clean the cat's litter box, it may lead to the cat refusing to bury its poop. Therefore, owners should always timely dispose of the cat's feces and regularly replace the litter.

1. Cat doesn't know how to bury poop

If the cat has never buried its poop since it was young, it might genuinely not know how to do so. This could be due to being abandoned and becoming a stray cat or the cat's mother not being around since it was young. In this case, the owner needs to train the cat to bury its poop, such as gently holding the cat after it finishes pooping and teaching it to scoop the litter with its front paws. Repeat this process until the cat does it correctly, and then reward it.

1. Declaring ownership

If there are multiple cats in the house, a cat might stop burying its poop to show its dominance, indicating that it has the highest status. Therefore, for multi-cat households, it's recommended to have multiple litter boxes, one more than the number of cats. Also, cats inherently don't bury their poop to avoid being tracked by predators, so they might not bury their poop once they get used to their environment.

1. Unsuitable litter box or litter

Cats are very sensitive. If the location of the litter box makes them feel unsafe, they might run away after pooping. Secondly, if the litter box is too small, the cat might find it inconvenient to turn around and cover its feces. Additionally, if the quality of the litter is poor or has a strong odor, the cat might not want to touch it. In this case, try changing the litter box or litter to see if it improves the situation.

1. Health issues

If the cat stops burying its poop and shows other abnormal behaviors, such as frequent entering and exiting the litter box, making abnormal sounds, or changing the frequency or status of urination or defecation, it could be due to a disease or injury. It's recommended to take the cat to the veterinarian promptly for inspection and treat according to the examination results.