“OMG! My cat meows while pooping! Every time she uses the litter box, I hear a silent cry. What could that mean?”
If these are your exact thoughts, then don’t worry! You’re at the right place. I’m going to give you all the answers you’re looking for.
We already know that our cats are weird little creatures and can display a wide array of strange behavior. And meowing while using the litter box might just be one of them.
An average cat will use the litter box several times a day. Some might do it in silence, some might let out a little meow.
It is perfectly natural for cats to meow when doing something, even when they’re about to do the royal squat. That could just be their little way of saying, “Hey! Just so you know, I have some business to attend to in the bathroom.”
However, if you’ve noticed that your cat is meowing loudly and excessively while using the litter box, then that could be an indicator of some serious medical problems.
What should you do in that case? Is a google search enough to help your cat? Or should you take her to the vet? How can you know for certain what problem she has?
You will find all the answers you’re searching for just by reading this article. So, buckle up and prepare yourself for some interesting information that will hopefully help you figure out why your cat meows while pooping.
Here are 9 possible reasons why your cat meows while pooping
As mentioned above, meowing while using the litter box is perfectly okay. Some cats might do it, some might go and do the duty in silence. But, if their meow is really loud and repeating, that could be a sign of some serious problems.
How can you tell if your cat has pooping problems just by listening to the way she meows? Well, you just can. I think we can all agree that as cat parents we are able to tell the difference between a regular, light meow and a “Mom, I’m in trouble!” meow.
It’s hard to explain, but I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.
Your cat might meow while pooping for various reasons. I’m bringing you 9 possible ones, many of which are outside my field of expertise. But I did my research, consulted some experts, and tried to simplify everything as much as possible.
However, bear in mind that you should take your cat to the vet if you think your cat suffers from one of the conditions listed below.
With that being said, let’s see what could be the reason your cat meows while pooping.
1. Constipation
Constipation is a very common condition and probably the one you first thought of. It occurs when the stool has a hard time passing through the digestive tract or cannot be eliminated at all.
Constipation can cause a lot of pain to your cat. If your cat meows while pooping but a little bit or actually nothing comes out, she is definitely struggling with constipation. Try implementing more fiber into your cat’s diet and provide her with fresh water.
But, if a fiber-rich diet and water don’t help, consult the vet. Your cat might be having a more serious condition that you probably should know about.
2. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
This is another possible reason why your cat meows while pooping. It is a pretty common condition in cats and has similar, if not the same, symptoms as when a human gets it.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in cats causes a burning sensation while they urinate and also discomfort during bowel movements.
Besides meowing while using the litter box, your cat might also:
- strain to urinate
- lick excessively the genital area
- have blood in the urine
- have redness and discharge
3. Colon blockage
This condition occurs when a cat eats something that’s usually non-edible. Those things could be, for example, large pieces of paper, bits of plastic, small pieces of a toy, or even her own hair.
If your cat eats something that’s not meant to be eaten, it will end up stuck in her colon, causing discomfort during bowel movement.
So, this could be the reason why your cat meows while pooping.
Here are some signs that your cat’s colon might be blocked:
- low body temperature
- a poor appetite
- diarrhea or constipation
- sluggishness
- vomiting
Colon blockage can also be caused by polyps and tumors, so you might want to take your cat to the vet and check.
4. Bladder stones
This condition, also called cystoliths, is a common one in cats.
Bladder stones occur when minerals and other substances clump together. They can cause severe pain while your cat urinates but also when she’s pooping.
These stones range in size from very small to very big and can have mild side effects or be life-threatening to your cat.
Here are some signs your cat might have bladder stones:
- blood in the urine
- swollen abdomen
- excessive licking of the genital area
- vomiting
- urinating inappropriately
If your cat happens to urinate inappropriately, like peeing over the edge of her litter box, try checking out this article.
5. Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC)
When the causes of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) cannot be identified, then this condition is called feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC).
Experts say that the main trigger for this condition is stress and that it is most common in older cats. Since it cannot be cured, even if the cat overcomes it, it might inflame again when the stress increases.
Some painkillers might help your cat cope with it, but the best thing would be to make sure your cat lives in a stress-free environment.
Here are some signs by which you can recognize that your cat has feline idiopathic cystitis:
- blood in urine
- urinating frequently or in unusual places
- aggressiveness
While your cat urinates, this condition causes her to have severe pain in the abdominal area. This is why your cat meows while pooping, too.
6. Colitis
Colitis is a common chronic digestive disease that causes inflammation in the colon.
Cats with colitis usually produce watery diarrhea with blood in it, can have mucus in stool, or be constipated. They tend to avoid eating and drinking, which can result in excessive weight loss. They have to use the litter box very often and can even miss the litter pan.
Here are what common causes of colitis in cats can be:
- intestinal worms
- stress
- food intolerance
- bacterial infection
- injury of the colon
To treat colitis, consult your vet. He will have the right treatment for your cat, depending on how severe her condition is.
7. Pseudocoprostasis
Pseudocoprostasis is a condition that occurs when poop gets stuck in the hair surrounding the anal opening. It can become so severe that the opening gets completely obstructed.
This is, of course, more common with long-haired cats whose self-grooming requires too much time and effort. Sometimes, those cats can miss a spot or two. Nobody’s perfect, right?
When the poop gets matted to your cat’s fur and blocks the opening, it can result in constipation. And if it ends up untreated, the possibility of flies coming and laying their eggs on it is very high. Which can then result in worm infestation.
Here are some signs your cat might have this condition:
- a large amount of matted hair
- a poor appetite
- vomiting
- sluggishness
- straining to poop
Pay attention to your cat and don’t let her neglect her grooming process. If she’s an older cat and struggles to groom herself properly, you should definitely help her. Our cats need to be clean for their and our sake as well.
8. Stricture
Stricture is a condition that occurs when a cat’s anal opening is constricted. It could be due to a previous injury, or aggressive cancer growth.
This causes issues with the cat’s digestive system. To force the poop out, your cat has to put in extra effort, with usually little to no success.
The best thing would be to consult the vet who will know how to help your kitty.
9. Your cat just wants protection
Meowing while pooping can also indicate that your cat is feeling vulnerable and needs protection.
Cats can be extremely hypersensitive and flee at the first sign of danger. But when they’re in the litter box doing the doo-doo, it’s hard for them to run off.
So when you think about it, it’s natural for them to feel nervous when pooping, especially if they live in a multi-cat home. They never know when danger might ensue.
The desire for protection is mostly evident in cats who generally struggle with anxiety.
So, if you believe your cat meows while pooping because she’s anxious and needs protection, try getting her a closed litter box with an open top. Or even DIY her own litter box area in your home which would be out of everyone’s sight. That way, you will ensure your cat has her privacy.
Cat meows while pooping: how much meowing is too much meowing?
As mentioned at the beginning, it is natural for your cat to occasionally meow when using her litter box. Especially if you are a proud cat parent of an extremely talkative cat, like a Siamese cat for example.
It’s in our cat’s nature to meow because that’s her way of communicating and perceiving the world around her.
With that being said, if your cat meows a little bit too much, it might be because she is trying to communicate her needs to you.
If your cat meows loudly and concerningly while pooping, you should react. The best thing would be, as mentioned several times above, to talk to a professional and take your cat to the vet. After all, he will precisely know what’s wrong with her and what she needs.
Is veterinarian intervention really necessary if your cat meows while pooping?
The answer to this question should always be: Yes!
There’s only so much we can do to help our little fluffballs when they’re struggling. A google search or two might do some tricks and provide an instant solution, but a long-term one will always be the vet visit.
Think about it this way: I love my cat, but my snuggles and kisses won’t heal her if she’s in pain. If I’m not a veterinarian, how can I know what’s the right thing to do? And because of my love for her, I will do the right thing and take her to the vet.
Vet visits can be very expensive, but at the end of the day, they are worth it. Money comes and goes and it should be spent wisely. Spending it on the health of our loved ones (our pets’ included) is definitely one of the right ways to spend it.
