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Cats are usually spotless animals, getting rid of all their poop from their fur when they’re done.
However, your cat can end up with poop in its fur in some situations.
It can be a severe problem since it can cause significant hygiene issues for your cat.
It is because the poop builds up and attracts germs and bacteria, which can cause skin problems.
But why does this happen, and what can you do to help your kitty out?
Read on to find out why this is a problem and prevent it.
What Causes Poop To Get Stuck In Your Cat’s Fur?
There are several reasons why cat poop might get stuck in your cat’s fur.
The most common causes are:
Your Cat Just Had A Bowel Movement
If your cat just had a bowel movement, the poop is very soft, and it can easily stick to your cat’s fur.
Diet Changes
Diet is the primary culprit. Consider this: Just as our diet has an impact on the consistency of our poop, so does that of cats.
If you recently changed your cat’s diet, the new food might not agree with it.
It could result in diarrhea which causes poop to get stuck in your kitty’s fur.
As diarrhea builds up, the poop gets clumped and hardens.
It makes it hard for your cat to clean up properly.
Moreover, the issue is usually dry food, which causes their poop to be quite hard and have rough edges that cling to their fur like thistles.
The simplest solution to the problem of “my cat keeps getting poop stuck in their fur” may be to switch your cat to wet food if this is the case.
Stress
Cats are susceptible animals, and if they feel stressed out or anxious, they might not focus on cleaning themselves properly.
They could also become obsessed with environmental changes and end up focusing their attention on something else other than cleaning.
It can result in poop stuck in your cat’s fur.
Grooming
Cats usually groom around 5-6 times a day.
If your cat is not grooming itself properly, you might end up with poop in its fur because it’s too dirty and greasy to come off.
Did your pet recently get injured or go through surgery?
If so, it might be too painful to groom itself properly and end up with poop sticking around its fur.
It could also mean that the cat isn’t cleaning itself because of an infection, diabetes, obesity, and other medical problems.
All of these can result in poop stuck to its fur.
Parasites Or Worms
Cats can also get parasites or worms.
Your veterinarian should diagnose and treat these right away because they can cause serious problems, including diarrhea.
Medical Problems
If your cat is sick, it might not be able to poop usually, resulting in poop or diarrhea stuck in its fur.
It would be best to take your kitty for a checkup as soon as possible since several medical conditions can cause this problem – including tumors and intestinal inflammation.
Dirty Litter Box
A dirty litter box is one of the most common causes of a cat’s poop becoming stuck in its fur.
If your cat doesn’t have easy access to a clean, fresh, and dry place to go potty, it will keep going outside the litterbox.
It means that all those poops will be soiled with urine and will dry to become sticky.
As an owner, it is your responsibility to keep the litter box clean for your cat.
You should scoop out all poop twice a day and thoroughly replace the litter at least once every two weeks.
Not Enough Litter In The Box
Usually, when cats use their litterboxes, they dig a hole before doing business.
If there isn’t enough litter, it will be harder for them to dig the hole and bury their poop.
Your cat might not cover up their poop correctly, resulting in a dirty litter box more quickly.
To prevent this from happening, you should make sure there is always enough litter in the box and deep enough for your cat.
Your Cat Doesn’t Like The Litter Box
Your cat might have an aversion to its litter box.
There could be many reasons for this, but if your cat doesn’t like the location or the size of the litterbox, it might refuse to use it.
It would be good to get a new one and place it in a different location.
If this isn’t possible, you could try and cover the litter box with something your cat likes, such as their favorite blanket or cushion.
You’re Taking Too Long To Clean It
If you don’t clean your cat’s litter box every day, the poop will start to stick together and harden.
Your cat’s poop will eventually become stuck to its fur as a result of the accumulation of all that sticky gunk.
To prevent this from happening, make sure you clean out their litter box every day and completely replace the litter once every two weeks.
If possible, try and keep your cat away from its litterbox for a few hours after you have cleaned it so that all the old litter has time to dry out.
What Should You Do To Help Your Cat Keep Her Fur Poop-Free?
To help your cat stay poop-free, you should:
Feed The Cat The Right Food
Consult your vet about the best diet for your kitty since special foods can keep cats’ poop firm and well-formed.
If you recently changed your cat’s diet, give it a few weeks to see if the new food agrees with your cat.
Additionally, in order to achieve a balanced diet that produces non-sticky poop, alternate wet and dry foods.
The cause of your cat’s sticky poop should be determined if you don’t feed them dry food and they continue to have this problem.
You might want to think about switching back to the previous food if your cat’s stools show any changes.
Keeping a food journal could help you track your cat’s diet and how it affects its feces.
Even though it might take some time, you will eventually find the guilty party.
Observing your cat’s precise reactions is the best course of action because cats have a unique body responses to different types of food.
Always Keep The Litter Box Clean For Your Cat
Make sure you scoop out all poop at least twice a day, completely replacing the litter once every two weeks.
Cleaning it more often whenever possible is ideal for preventing poop from sticking to your cat’s fur.
Ensure There Is Enough Litter In The Box
Ensure there is always enough litter in the box and deep enough for your cat.
If possible, try and keep your cat away from its litterbox for a few hours after you have cleaned it so that all the old litter has time to dry out.
Replace The Litter Box
Seek out a new litter box and place it in a different location if your cat’s old one isn’t working correctly.
You can also try covering the litter box with something your cat likes, like their favorite blanket or cushion.
Clean Your Cat’s Coat When Needed
To remove poop from your cat’s fur, wash it with warm water and shampoo.
You can use a special pet shampoo or dish soap.
Just make sure to use lukewarm water and not hot, because that could burn your cat’s skin.
Also, don’t rub its coat too hard with the towel, or else you might hurt it.
Give Your Cat Enough Space In The Litter Box
If there is not enough litter in the box, your cat will find it harder to do its business.
If the cat doesn’t like the location or the size of the litterbox, you should get a new one and place it in a different location.
Conclusion
Poop can become stuck in your cat’s fur, which can be a very unpleasant experience for both you and your pet.
Luckily, if you choose to, it is possible to help your cat keep its fur poop-free.
Just make sure you follow the steps mentioned above, and you should be good to go.
Lucy is a real-time contributor to Purrfect n’ Pawesome, along with being a freelance writer to various pet forums and platforms. She started writing professionally in the year 2016. Earlier, she enjoyed her community life as a pet rescue volunteer and offered boarding services to pet owners. Her extensive experience in the pet field is now the basis for her writing at this site.
She loves to collect animal facts from around the globe and then transform them into amazing stories for her readers. For Lucy, the mission is to bring pet love to every home and equip the pet parents with the required useful and authentic information to nurture their pet accordingly.
She lives with her two cats and a shepherd mix, whom she loves the most. Despite her extremely busy life, she spends some time with wildlife and outer space to relax her mind and enhance her observation.
Purrfect n’ Pawesome is a platform that believes in providing our pets with the right kind of nurturing, care and upbringing to assist them in leading a healthy life. Go to our blog section and read out some pawesome and informative articles to ease your parenthood.
