Cats pooping all over the porch and yard

by Joyce
(Waterbury, Ct)

My mom has two cats that have begun pooping all over the yard, on the blacktop, behind the garbage pails, on her porch and steps. They are outside cats that she's had for over a year.

We thought that cats usually poop in the dirt so that they may cover it when they are done.
Would there be a reason why they would start pooping all over. It's not a fun thing to step outside the house and have to fear stepping in it. Anything that can be done?

Thanks

Reply
Hi
When cats do this it is called Middening and is due to them feeling that they have to scent mark their territory. It could well be that a new cat or other animal has recently moved in nearby and this has made your cats feel threatened.

i also assume that both cats are spayed /neutered. If not then this will only make the need to scent mark territory even stronger.

I have a web page about middening here

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-poo.html

Try spraying the areas with a strong citrus scent as this can often deter cats from the area. But apart from that all you can do is to clean up the mess and make sure that you deodorize the area to prevent the cats re scenting their.

Kate

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