Find out how many times a day cats should poop and pee and how long cats can go without pooping

As a cat owner, understanding your furry friend’s toileting habits is essential for their health and wellbeing. While every cat is unique, certain benchmarks can help you determine what’s normal and when it might be time to consult your vet. 

It can be more difficult to know your cat’s normal toileting habits if they toilet outdoors. To help with this, you could try creating the perfect cat toilet for them outside. You can then keep an eye on the site and look out for any changes in their habits when they use it. Find out how to create an outdoor cat toilet. 

In this post, vet experts explain how often cats should defecate (poop) and urinate (pee) and what factors can affect these habits. You’ll also learn what signs to watch for when something might be wrong. 

How often should cats poop?

Healthy adult cats poop once or twice a day. But the frequency can vary depending on various factors.  

Factors that influence how often cats poop

• Age. Young kittens poop more frequently, between one to six times a day. This is because of their faster metabolism and more frequent meals. As kittens grow and start eating solid food, their bowel movements usually become more regular. Older kittens can poop on average one to three times a day. Kittens are particularly vulnerable. Speak to your vet if you notice any significant changes in their toileting habits, such as not pooping for more than 24 hours or having diarrhoea. Senior cats may be more prone to constipation due to decreased mobility, changes in diet or underlying health issues. If your senior cat hasn’t pooped in more than 48 hours, or if you notice any signs of discomfort or straining, consult your vet
• Indoor lifestyle. Indoor cats may have reduced activity levels and lead a more sedentary life. This can affect their metabolism, slowing down their digestive system. As a result, indoor cats may poop less often than outdoor cats 
• Wet or dry food. Cats eating a wet food diet often have smaller, more frequent bowel movements. This is due to the higher water content which can help with digestion and prevent constipation. On average, cats on wet food may poop once a day, but some may go more frequently. Cats on a dry food diet tend to have larger bowel movements. This is because dry food contains more fibre which can lead to bulkier poops. The lower moisture content also means the time it takes to digest the food can be longer. Most cats on dry food will poop once a day. But some may go for longer without having a bowel movement, especially if they are less active or drink less water
• Stress. If cats are stressed, they may hold in their poop. This isn’t healthy for them and can lead to constipation
• Their toilet. If cats don’t have access to a suitable place to toilet, they may be reluctant to poop. The type of litter tray, its location and the type of litter are all important factors. Find out how to create the perfect cat toilet

There is no difference in the frequency with which male and female cats poop. Male and female cats poop the same.

What does normal cat poop look like?

Healthy cat poop should be:

• firm but not hard. Their poop should be shaped like a soft sausage or log. If their poop is too hard or too runny this could be a sign of health issues
• brown in colour. Variations in colour, such as black, red or yellow, could suggest health issues

How many times should a cat pee in a day?

Healthy adult cats pee two to four times a day. But, as with pooping, the frequency can vary depending on various factors. 

Factors that influence how often cats pee

• Wet or dry food. Cats on a wet food diet may pee more often because of the higher water content in their meals
• Hydration. Proper hydration is crucial. If your cat isn’t drinking enough water, they may pee less frequently.
• Age. Kittens pee more often due to their smaller bladders. Older cats may pee more or less frequently depending on their health
• Stress. If cats are stressed, they may hold in their pee. If they don’t pee enough, this can increase the risk of them developing health issues
• Their toilet. If cats don’t have access to a suitable place to toilet, they may be reluctant to pee. The type of litter tray, its location and the type of litter are all important factors. 

When should I be concerned about cat poop and pee?

You know your cat best and should recognise what is normal for them. If you notice any significant changes in your cat’s normal toileting habits, then it’s best to speak to your vet. 

Constipation

If your cat has gone without pooping for two days, it could be a sign of constipation or other health issues. Prolonged constipation can lead to more serious health problems if not addressed quickly. 

Call your vet if:

• your adult cat hasn’t pooped in more than 48 hours
• your kitten hasn’t pooped in more than 24 hours
• your cat is visiting the litter tray but not pooping or peeing
• your cat is meowing or showing signs of discomfort, pain or straining while pooping 
• your cat’s poop is hard or dry
• your cat’s poop or litter tray contains mucus, blood or parasites such as worms

Diarrhoea

Runny poop can also be a sign of serious health issues. 

Call your vet if:

• your adult cat has diarrhoea that lasts for more than 24 hours
• your kitten has any diarrhoea  
• your cat has diarrhoea that looks black or contains blood

Other concerns

Call your vet if:

• your cat’s poop contains anything unusual, such as hair, undigested food or other objects
• your cat’s poop is an unusual colour, such as white, yellow or green
• your cat’s poop is sticky or slimy 

Peeing

Call your vet if:

• your cat has not peed in more than 24 hours. This is a veterinary emergency, particularly if they are a male cat
• your cat is peeing more frequently than normal, or there is blood in the litter tray. This could be a sign of cystitis, a urinary tract infection (UTI), diabetes or kidney disease
• your cat is visiting the litter tray but not pooping or peeing
• your cat is meowing or showing signs of discomfort, pain or straining while peeing. This could be linked to painful conditions like cystitis, bladder stones or blockages

Health issues that can affect cats’ poop

Constipation can be caused by:

• dehydration
• blockages in the intestines
• stress 

Diarrhoea can be caused by:

• infectious diseases
• worms and other parasites
• diet, or sudden changes in diet
• inflammatory bowel disease
• cancer
• stress 

How to stimulate a cat to poop

1. Encourage them to drink. Keeping your cat well hydrated can help to prevent constipation and make sure they pee regularly. Make sure they always have access to fresh water to drink. Tips to get your cat to drink more water.
2. Encourage them to exercise. Keeping active helps to stimulate the digestive system. Try having regular, short, interactive play sessions with your cat throughout the day to encourage them to move. How to play with your cat.
3. Provide a suitable litter tray. Make sure your cat’s litter tray is appealing for them to use whenever they need to. If you have more than one cat, provide them with a litter tray each, plus one extra. Find out how to create the perfect cat toilet.
4. Keep them calm. Your cat’s digestive system will work more effectively if they are relaxed. Stress also increases the risk of health issues. How to manage your cat’s stress. 
5. Speak to your vet. If you’re concerned that your cat is not pooping enough, your vet may be able to recommend some treatments that will be suitable for your cat. 

How often should you take your cat’s poop out?

Cats are very clean creatures. They like their toilet to be clean too. You should remove any poop and pee from their litter tray at least twice a day. Ideally you should remove any poop from your cat’s litter tray as soon as possible. Cats will be reluctant to use the litter tray if there is poop already in there. You should clean out the litter tray completely at least once a week. Remove all the litter and wash the tray with hot, soapy water. 

Never flush your cat’s poop down the toilet. Sewage treatments can’t treat the parasites found in cat poop, so they can make their way into our water system. Instead, put your cat’s poop in a biodegradable bag and put it in your general household waste bin.