How Often Do Cats Poop? (And Bathroom Habits to Watch Out For!)

While owning a cat has a lot of upsides, they also come with a few things most owners would rather avoid if they could. One of those happens to be dealing with cat poop and pee. 

And while cleaning up after multiple cats can be a crappy job in and of itself even just one cat can leave you shocked at how quickly a cat litter box can be filled.

This can often lead you to wonder about how often your cat (or kittens) needs to handle their business in a day or just what happens internally between a cat running to eat before running to their toilet.

How Often Do Cats Poop? In Short!

The truth is that there is a multitude of different factors at play when it comes to our pet’s bathroom habits and their digestive tract. 

This means that all adult cats behave differently and every situation is different for each cat. As a result, it's virtually impossible to definitively state the exact number of times a cat can or should hit the litter box in a day. 

Generally, it's been determined that a can will defecate between one or two times a day, and while this is certainly a good baseline to be aware of, it's more important to know the general frequency and consistency of your cat's restroom habits and if anything has changed.

How Often Should Your Cat Poop In A Day?

In this breakdown, we'll get into what's the ideal amount of times a healthy cat should poop as well as what factors can play a role in its increased or decreased rate. 

We'll also get into what different types of cat poop may look like so that you can actually immediately identify their health.

While the number of one or two poops a day may shift and vary based on some of the factors below, the ideal amount of times a cat should handle their waste is around two times a day.

Because of the cat's internal digestive system, it can take between 12 and 20 hours for food to hit from one end and find its way down to the other. 

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Below are several potential factors that can play a role in how many times you can find your cat running off to the litter box.

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One thing you may have noticed is that nearly all of these issues are due to digestive problems. 

This is because, for a cat, their stomach's microbiome hosts a combination of several hundred different microorganisms, all of which help in the aid of their digestion while also dealing with different viruses and pathogens. 

By making sure your cat's gut microbiome is healthy and clean, you're able to ensure that they have normal and properly timed bowel movements that aren't overly excessive or subdued.

What Can Cat Poop Look Like? 

As with the frequency, the shape and consistency of cat poop can also vary based on their internal stomach health. For example, a normal healthy cat should have poop that is between dark and medium brown in color. It should also be log-shaped while also firm without being too dry.

If your cat's poo looks like this, you know they're doing ok. However, there can be other conditions for your cat's health that you can surmise based on the nature of the cat's stool and how it looks.

When Should You See The Vet?

As we've mentioned a few times, there's rarely a time when visiting a vet is a bad or premature idea. If you notice anything wrong with your cat's poop or its frequency, going to the vet to have a check-up is always wise. 

For instance, if you go to clear your cat's litter box and find no feces for over three days in a row, find that they've pooped in another part of the house, or see that their poop is especially dry, they may be suffering from constipation and need to see a vet. They may recommend or prescribe a cat food for constipation to help get things moving.

On the flip side, if your cat is going three, four, or even five or more times in a day, that also can be a clear sign that something is wrong and that they'd need to see a vet. 

Simply put, if you notice anything unusual about your cat and its pooping cycle it's a safe bet that you should get a veterinarian and possibly medications involved in the process.

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How Often Do Cats Poop? The Verdict

In conclusion, the frequency of a cat's bowel movements can vary greatly depending on various factors such as age, diet, and health. While some cats may defecate several times a day, others may only do so once or twice a week. 

It's important for cat owners to be aware of their pet's normal bowel habits and to take notice of any changes, as this can be an indicator of a health problem.

Regular veterinary check-ups and a balanced diet can help ensure that your cat remains healthy and has regular bowel movements.

 By understanding the intricacies of a cat's digestive system, owners can provide their furry friends with the best possible care and ensure that they lead happy and healthy lives.