why is my cat pooping on the floor

Cats may poop on the floor due to a variety of reasons including medical issues, stress, litter box problems, or age-related challenges. Medical conditions like constipation, diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, urinary tract infections, arthritis, or parasites can cause discomfort or sudden urges that make cats avoid the litter box. Stress or anxiety from changes in the environment, other pets, or even the litter box location can also be factors. Additionally, if the litter box is dirty, has an unpleasant location, or if a cat has mobility issues especially if older, they might choose the floor as an easier option. To address this, it's important to first check for any health problems by consulting a veterinarian. Also, maintaining a clean, accessible litter box in a quiet area, using a litter type your cat prefers, and providing enough litter boxes especially in multi-cat homes can help. Reducing stress and ensuring your cat’s comfort and security can also prevent this behavior.