It’s not often that you see a cat playing with its poop, but it seems to be something that this particular feline enjoys.
Whether the cat is trying to catch the droppings in midair or pushing them around in a toy, it’s clear that this behavior is something of a favorite.
Some people may find the sight disgusting, but if you love cats and admire their playful side, this behavior is something you’ll probably enjoy as well.
Why do cats play with their poop?
It seems like odd behavior, but according to some experts, it’s actually a form of play. When cats play with their poop, they’re engaging in something called “coprophagia.”
This behavior is usually performed when the cat is feeling playful or relaxed.
Some experts believe that coprophagia may have evolved as a way for cats to satisfy their curiosity about their own waste. Playing with poop can also help clean it up and ensure all the nutrients and debris are gone.
What could be causing the cat to behave this way?
One of the most puzzling behaviors cats display is playing with their poop. Many people believe this to be a sign of boredom or lack of enrichment, but there could be another explanation.
There are many possible causes for your cat playing with poop. Some possibilities include:
- Your cat may be trying to figure out how to use the litter box.
- Your cat may be trying to explore its environment or find a new spot to pee or poop.
- Your cat may just enjoy playing games and messing around with poop.
- Your cat may be marking their territory.
- If your cat is toileting normally but is always playing with poop, it might be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI).
- If your cat is constantly pooping in the same place and won’t stop, it might have diarrhea or intestinal parasites.
- A condition called feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) can cause your cat to compulsively play with waste material, including feces and urine pellets.
How cats play with their poop
Cats play with their poop for a variety of reasons. They may roll it around, flick it with their paw, hunt for it, and sometimes even eat it.
Scientists don’t know why cats do this, but they think it may have something to do with how cats mark their territory. Some people think this is a disgusting habit, but cats apparently think otherwise!
There are theories as to why cats play with their poop. Some believe that they do it to clean themselves or to relieve boredom. Others believe that cats practice when they have to defecate outside the home.
Roll around
Cats love to roll around in their poop. It’s a fun way for them to play, and they can get really worked up about it too! Rolling around in fecal matter is how cats exercise and release energy.
It also gives them a sense of territoriality since they are marking their territory with this mess.
Flick it
Cats are known for their playful and curious personalities, so it’s no surprise they like to play with their poop. In fact, some cats actually flick their poop in the air to entertain themselves.
The reason why cats do this is unknown, but it’s probably a fun way to pass the time. Some people think that flicking the poop is a show of dominance or aggression, but most cat owners think it’s just cute.
Hunt for it
Cats hunt for objects to play with, including poop. They use their skills to track down fecal material, which they then pounce on and play with.
Researchers have found that cats scratch an object with their paw pad in a specific way to determine if it is made of solid material or not. If the object is solid, the cat will use its claws to scratch it and extract the feces inside.
Eat it
Most cats love to play with their poop, but do they really eat it?
While some believe that cats consume their own feces to derive pleasure from the experience, others say that the act is just a way for cats to interact with their waste.
In any event, most cats seem to enjoy playing with their poop – and who can blame them? It’s a pretty entertaining activity!
The benefits of cat play with poop
People often consider cat play with poop a waste of time, but in reality, this activity can benefit both cats and their owners.
There are many benefits to cats playing with their poop.
- It helps to clean their litter box. Whether you’re a cat lover or not, you know that cats play and have fun. It may not be known that playing with their poop can also be a fun activity for cats. There are many benefits to playing with your cat’s poop, including exercise and mental stimulation.
- It helps to keep your cat mentally stimulated. When cats are kept mentally active, they are less likely to engage in destructive behavior such as scratching furniture or digging through trash. Playing with their poop also helps to encourage them to use the litter box regularly.
- It helps to keep your cat physically active.
- Cats who are kept physically active tend to have healthier coats and fewer health problems overall. Playing with their poop gives your cat a good way to expend energy, which makes them happy and healthy!
- Playing with poop can help to reduce anxiety in cats and make them more playful overall.
- It can be an excellent way for them to exercise. Cats typically have a lot of energy and need to expend that energy in some way, whether it’s running around or scratching posts. Playing with their poop provides an outlet for all that energy and helps keep them healthy physically and mentally.
- Promote socialization between cats.
- Felines who engage in this activity have been shown to have more efficient digestive systems. Scientists are still unsure why this is the case, but they speculate that playing with poop may help keep the cat’s intestines clean.
The risks of cat play with poop
There is no doubt that cats enjoy playing with their feces – but this can also be risky for both the cat and the person playing with them.
In fact, a few risks associated with cat play with poop should be explained in detail.
One of the most obvious risks is a fecal-oral disease caused by bacteria entering the body through broken skin or mucous membranes.
The fecal-oral disease can lead to serious health problems, including intestinal obstruction and pneumonia. Other risks include oral trauma from biting or chewing on feces, as well as ingestion of fecal material.
In extreme cases, a cat playing with its feces may even suffocate if it lays in a pile of its own waste.
If your cat plays with their poop, be sure to keep an eye on them and take appropriate safety measures if there are any accidents.
What to do when you are seeing cat playing with poop
You might be thinking, “What is wrong with my cat?” If you’re seeing your cat playing with poop, there might be nothing wrong.
In fact, some cats enjoy playing with their poop – it can be a way to explore and play. Here are some tips on how to deal with this behavior.
First and foremost, be encouraging and positive. If your cat seems to enjoy playing with their poop, give them lots of love and attention.
Second, try to set boundaries for your cat’s playtime. If they’re constantly chasing after their poop, let them know that this is not allowed, and they’ll have to find another way to entertain themselves.
Finally, if the behavior continues despite these measures, it might be time for a vet consultation.
Final thoughts
Cats seem to enjoy playing with their own poop, and it seems to be an enjoyable activity for both the cats and their owners.
While this behavior may seem strange to some people, it’s important to remember that cats are creatures of instinct, and their behavior simply results from what pleases them.
So if your cat enjoys playing with her poop, just give her a good rubdown after she’s done, and you’ll both be happy.