Why Do Cats Meow before They Poop? What Should I Do

This cat was so desperate to get its head out of its butt that it had to go through the process of meowing—meow, meow, meow.

Why does a cat meow before he or she goes out in search of a toilet? Do cats meow to let us know they’re about to go to the bathroom? Or do cats meow to let other cats know when they’re going to have a bowel movement?

In this video, I’ll be investigating why cats meow before they poop, so we can learn if there is a reason for the behavior.

Why Do Cats Meow before They Poop?

In my experience, the most typical reason for meowing before taking poop is that the cat is in discomfort, or equates going to the toilet with pain.

I think you should take your cat in for an examination at the vet. They may be constipated, have a water infection, bladder trouble, or anything else causing them discomfort.

Have you wormed your cat recently? Worms are another potential cause of a cat’s meowing before using the litter box.

Why Do Kittens Meow before Using the Litter Box?

A constipated kitten that meows before going to the litter box may be in a lot of pain.

It’s frequent in young cats, and it’s more prevalent in kittens that have only recently transitioned from milk to solid diets.

If you want to know how difficult the work was, all you have to do is look at their feces afterward. It shouldn’t be extremely hard, if it is this is definitely giving them some discomfort.

If this isn’t a frequent occurrence or if you can’t make an appointment quickly, perhaps switching to a different brand of food may help.

Even when there’s nothing wrong, it’s fairly uncommon for a kitten to meow before using the litter box.

This is just an expression of their individuality as they learn to navigate the world outside the nest and a signal that they have reached their litter box.

Why Does My Cat Cry When Using the Litter Box

If your cat has lately begun this behavior, has a high pitched meow, or has any other unusual indicators such as straining or other symptoms of pain, it is essential to take your kitty to the doctor since there may be a health concern.

Urinary tract infections and urinary crystals are common complaints. Both urinating and defecating might be uncomfortable for your cat if it has to wear them.

As the bowel movement goes down, it might exert pressure on the urethra, producing discomfort.

It’s also conceivable that your cat may develop Cystitis. Your cat may be meowing because he or she is experiencing pain while trying to urinate.

In addition to these symptoms, Cystitis can also manifest itself in other ways, such as through the presence of blood in the urine, the need to urinate often, accidents outside of the litter box, and an excessive need for grooming in that area.

There might be an obstruction in your cat’s digestive system. Because of this, defecating may be very difficult, if not impossible.

The vet will most likely need to undertake abdominal x rays or ultrasound to confirm if there is a blockage or not.

Worms can potentially infect your cat. You should inspect the cat’s waste for worms and pay attention to the consistency of its droppings.

In another situation, your cat may need a visit to the doctor and may need to take dewormer. Your cat may possibly be elderly or have an upset stomach, making it painful for it to use the potty.

Why Do Cats Meow after Using the Litter Box?

If you cat meows loudly after using the litter box like with the other explanations above the first thing you need to do is examine the health of your cat.

If your veterinarian has given you the all-clear, there are still a few things to consider.

Do you have more than one cat, and have you added new cats to your home recently?

If so your cat can be making noise to claim their territory. You should have at least one litter box per cat so they may each lay claim to their own restroom spot.

Another reason I’ve observed before is age. Older cats start to act differently (as we all do, right?), their vision diminishes, and they will vocalize as a means of dealing with any perplexity.

I’ve known a handful of senior cats to start meowing after they’ve used their litter box. There isn’t much you can do to stop it.

What Does This Behaviour Indicate?

There are six potential causes for your cat to meow just before he or she defecates; although some are harmless, others may require a trip to the veterinarian.

The tone of your cat’s meow when performing this behavior might offer you an excellent idea of whether they are attempting to communicate with you, or if they are in discomfort.

1. Protection & Vulnerability

Your cat may meow before defecating to let you know that they need your protection if you happen to be in the same room as their litterbox or even just outside while they do their thing.

When cats are using the restroom, they naturally feel exposed to predators, even in their own homes. It’s founded on a natural inclination of feline beings, and most of those inclinations persist even after decades of domestication.

The cat is pleading for your protection by meowing at you in this state. You may learn this by paying attention to your cat’s body language.

If this describes your feline friend, she will likely turn her head toward you or look at you as she uses the litter box.

In other situations, the cat may even feel as though you are the threat. Although this is not true, some cats prefer seclusion and do not appreciate their owners gazing at them.

Sometimes other animals like dogs might annoy them to the extent that they demonstrate difficulty while pooping or urinating.

If you feel that this is the most logical explanation for your cat’s meowing, then perhaps an enclosed litterbox with an open top is a suitable solution to offer your cat with the privacy it needs.

2. UTI

Anxious meowing during urination or defecation is a symptom of a less severe but nevertheless significant problem. It bothers them to relieve themselves, and they’re attempting to show you how much it hurts by making this gesture.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) can cause stomach pain, which can make peeing painful, and can also make bowel motions unpleasant. Like a UTI in a person, it may be rather unpleasant and even painful if left untreated.

If your cat has a UTI, it may exhibit additional symptoms beyond the uncomfortable meowing.

3. Intestinal Blockage

An intestinal blockage can occur if your cat eats something it shouldn’t, such as a piece of plastic or the stuffing from a toy. After that, the cat may start meowing before using the box.

Primarily because they are experiencing pain from the foreign item that has become stuck in their digestive tract. Human waste, hairballs, polyps, and tumors can also create blockages.

4. Bladder Stones

Small mineral deposits or cysts in the urinary tract are what we call bladder stones. When passing urine or feces, they might cause severe abdominal discomfort.

Cats with kidney stones may have trouble using the litter box because the stones are blocking the urethra.

5. Constipation

When a cat has constipation, it has trouble defecating. You may have a constipated cat if it meows while attempting to defecate but nothing comes out.

If your cat hasn’t defecated in over a day, despite repeated attempts, it may be constipated.

Constipation can be caused by various reasons, notably. lack of fiber in the diet, dehydration, and the ingestion of foreign items.

6. Cystitis

Commonly referred to as “feline idiopathic cystitis,” this condition affects cats for unknown reasons. It’s a prevalent problem in senior cats, and it’s usually brought on by some sort of environmental stress.

It can’t be cured, and even if your cat gets over it, it’ll get it again the next time it’s under a lot of pressure. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs can alleviate your cat’s suffering.

However, it is best to prevent this illness from happening by minimizing stresses in your cat’s surroundings, rather of having to treat it after it is too late.

Is This Behaviour Good or Bad?

Arguments may be good or bad. It’s merely natural behavior, which is neither good nor harmful. Every cat doesn’t meow when they defecate, and doing so isn’t necessarily an indication of happiness or enthusiasm.

If your cat is meowing, it may be a sign that it is experiencing health issues and is having difficulty urinating or defecating, all of which are dangerous signs.

If your cat only does it while you’re around, it’s probably looking for safety. However, this is a negative sign if your cat does it regularly when using the restroom since it might indicate pain or discomfort.

Is Veterinarian Intervention Necessary?

If you’re worried about your cat or if this behavior is the first sign of a new problem, a vet visit won’t harm.

You should take your cat in for a thorough checkup at the vet every few months to look for signs of illness that might eventually become life-threatening.

In the event that you hear your cat meowing in distress while defecating or urinating, you should take it to the nearest vet immediately.

You should probably mention the fact that your cat meows while defecating to the vet the next time your cat has an appointment, even if it may seem like an unnecessary precaution.

Additionally, keeping an eye on the litterbox might alert you to any problems with your cat’s feces.

A healthy cat’s excrement should not be too mushy or hard and the color should be brown and not black (which might suggest the presence of blood), or too light which is an indication of liver illness.

What Does Unhealthy Cat Poop Look Like

It’s not always easy to tell if your cat is having normal bowel movements, therefore it might be essential to do some investigating into your cat’s excrement.

Diseases and other health issues may be indicated by abnormal bowel movements. What does unhealthy feces look like in a cat?

Unhealthy feces might range from one variety to another.

Stools indicative of health should be of a tootsie roll form, medium brown in color, and as soft as clay. Keep in mind that even soft feces may reveal a lot about its contents based on its hue.

As a cat owner, it’s important to not only keep an eye on how the excrement appears, but also to give it a sniff. Cat feces should have an unpleasant odor, but it shouldn’t be very putrid.

If you change your cat’s litter and notice a change in smell, even when it’s new or clean, you may want to do some investigating.

Why Is My Cat Meowing Like He’s In Pain

While it’s true that some cats will meow for no apparent reason, if your feline friend is whimpering, it could be because of physical discomfort. Your cat may have more health problems besides those listed above.

If your cat has a perineal hernia, he or she may have to stretch more often to defecate. It’s possible that a perineal hernia might make bowel motions unpleasant.

Because of this, dehydration might cause constipation in your cat. Cats frequently suffer from dehydration since they are prone to knock over their water dishes.

If this is the case, provide a clean water bowl for your cat at all times. Veterinarians may recommend electrolyte balancing liquids like Pedialyte, but you should get their approval first.

Investing in a quality water fountain system is another method to guarantee your cat never goes without water. Invest in a stable piece of furniture that your cat can’t easily topple.

What Should I Do If My Cat Is Meowing Before Pooping

The longer this goes on, the more likely it is that it is merely a weird behavior for your cat. Observe your cat while it uses the litter box, as strange as it may sound.

Keep an eye out for any symptoms of discomfort. Time your cat from the moment it begins trying to use the litter box or make a bowel movement until it is finished.

Check for worms by looking at your cat’s feces. Observe its form, color, and texture. Take heed of the cat’s squawking. Is it a lot of noise and how high is the pitch?

If you’ve noticed a change in your cat’s bowel habits alongside the meowing, it’s probably best to take it to the doctor for an examination just to be cautious.

Why Does My Cat Howl After Using the Litter Box

Cats may howl after their bowel movement because, again, the bowel movement may have been uncomfortable.

Checking your cat’s droppings after it is finished may offer you an idea as to whether or not there was a problem.

If you don’t notice anything weird about the droppings themselves, you may need to observe your cat’s next litter box excursion.

Female cats will occasionally cry when they are in heat, even when using the litter box. If you have an unfixed female cat, you will have likely heard that yowling sound previously and will be familiar with the sound.

It’s possible that your cat is trying to inform you to change the litter. It’s not fun for cats if the litter box is a mess. Each of our animals has its own unique method of expressing itself to us.

They meow at you for food when they’re hungry. It’s the same deal if their litter box is dirty.

They appreciate spotless restrooms just as much as you do.

Cats have been known to wail after using the litter box if the odor of their own waste is very unpleasant.

They may also be trying to tell you that they just went to the bathroom.

Another possibility is that your cat simply dislikes the current litter box. Although an automated litter box may be helpful for you, it may be irritating to your cat particularly if it’s quite noisy.

The howling might be your cat’s way of communicating that it is terrified of what is about to happen.

Whatever the case may be, make sure to keep an eye on them in case they show any indications of distress. You are familiar with your pet.

If you have a hunch that there’s anything off about their motivations, trust your instincts. Talking to your vet may be the best course of action if your cat is unusually emotional or vocal when using the litter box.

Conclusion

Cats meow before they poop because they are telling you they need to go. This is so important to know so you don’t assume a cat is going to have a bowel movement right after you feed it.

It’s not unusual for a cat to eat and go. Most cats will go at least a couple of hours after eating. What we like to call a “going cat” will wait and wait and wait until they have to go, then they go. It’s kind of like a “tell you when to go” cat.

source https://catshint.com/cats-meow-poop/