How to Get Rid of Cat Poops in the Sink or Bathtub

There are a few reasons why your cat might have abruptly stopped using the litter box and begun defecating in the sink, bathtub, or shower. It's a disappointing, offensive, and generally awful turn of events. Fortunately, if your cat is healthy, you can probably stop this undesirable behavior by making the litter box more appealing and changing up the decor in your bathroom.

Different cats exhibit different bathroom habits, and litter box problems can be caused by several things, including stress, the surroundings, or a mix of these. You can identify the issue and the best way to address it by taking some time to assess your cat's emotional and physical well-being.

Why Do Cats Poo in the Sink or Bathtub?

In general, cats are quite tidy and clean creatures. After consistently using its litter box, when your cat "house soils," or defecates in an area that is not permitted, it is trying to communicate with you. 

Check the litter box first to ensure sure it hasn't overflowed, smells strange, or hasn't tipped over. Check to see if anything has obstructed your cat's access to the litter box as well. Your cat might use another litter box if there is something about the box that bothers it.

Health Concerns

Then think of a medical problem. Cats that deliberately eliminate in front of their owners—squatting to pee or poop in your presence, for example—might be asking for assistance.

 Cats may make a show of it by posing in front of their owner when they have bladder stones or cystitis, which can cause them to urinate and feces in inappropriate areas. Constipation, for instance, can cause painful ejection, leading cats to avoid the litter box if they link it with pain. 

Make a quick appointment with your veterinarian if you think the change is caused by a health issue. To ascertain if there is an issue, the veterinarian will probably perform a physical examination and might also use bloodwork or radiographs.

Behavior Problems

Sensitive cats frequently experience stress and anxiety when things in the home change, which can lead to their going outside the litter box. Examples of this can include the death of a family member or the addition of a new baby to the family. 

A new work schedule or an increase in the amount of time the cat is left alone are two other significant changes in your daily routine that may stress your cat out. Undoubtedly, bringing a new pet home can cause house soiling as well.

The activity of marking, which is most usually displayed by urinating on vertical surfaces, is rarely displayed by defecating outside of the litter box.

How to Make Your Cat Stop Defecating in the Sink or Bathtub

After health-related factors have been checked out, there are a few easy steps you may take to help your cat change the undesirable behavior.

 Try the approach that seems to fit your cat's needs, lifestyle, and environment the best. Feel free to make several modifications at once.

Changes to Litter Boxes

Simple modifications to the litter box itself can improve the condition. To give your cat a choice, add a second litter box, preferably in a different room. Cat litter boxes should be cleaned out once a week and up to two or three times every day. 

To promote use, try to utilize a larger-sized litter box. Use the cat's size to determine the size of the litter box rather than the space it occupies. The size of the box should be roughly 1.5 times that of your cat.

What Not to Do

Make sure the cat's eating and drinking areas are far from the litter box. Some cats dislike covered or self-cleaning litter boxes.

 Cats can be scared off by the lights, noise, and automatic actions, and being enclosed in a box can be cramped. These may be sufficient to convince a cat not to use its box.

Environmental Changes

Fill a little amount of water into the tub and sink. This water may deter your cat from using the sink or bathtub, stopping the action in its tracks. Change up your litter brand. Some cats don't like certain types because of their texture, smell, or other characteristics.

Future Steps

A veterinarian behaviorist who specializes in felines may be useful if your cat persists in this behavior despite modifications to its environment. This person can assist in retraining your cat in proper behavior and could suggest some remedies unique to your cat and living situation.

 Utilizing behavior-modifying medicines can help with some behavioral disorders, particularly those brought on by anxiety. Talk to your veterinarian about this choice if the issue continues. Never administer any medication meant for human use to your pet.