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Why Does My Cat Howl Before and After Using The Litter Box?

Why Does My Cat Howl Before and After Using The Litter Box?

Being a cat owner brings in a lot of responsibilities, but all that seems worth it when you get the warm affection from your four-legged fluffy friend. Cats are mysterious creatures, and every cat has some unique as well as some everyday habits. If you have noticed your cat making sounds while making the bowel movement, you must have this question: Why does my cat howl before and after using the litter box?

Cats howl before and after using the litter box to indicate the physical distress, discomfort, or irritation they face while passing the bowel. It is also possible that they want to make sure that no one disturbs them when they are using the litter box. Howling once they are done using the litter box could probably mean sending a message to clean the litter box.

If the cat vocalizes, it can also be a sign of pain or underlying health conditions. So, here we will look into each of these reasons in detail and will answer other common litter box questions that cat-owners usually have, such as, do cats like the privacy before they poop, why do cats run after they have pooped, and many others.

Reasons Cats Howl Before and After Using Litter Box

The howling of cats before and after using the litter box is usually a typical yet strange behavior that most cat owners have experienced at least once. Below are some of the common reasons why cats do so.

To Signal the Other Predators

Cats like no one to disturb them while they are doing their stationery business. Hence, they might howl before pooping to signal to the nearby predators that they are at their most vulnerable stage. This is usually seen as normal and not a sign to worry at all.

Sign of Distress or Pain

If your feline yowls rather loudly before, after, and even while pooping, and in case she has developed this recently, it might be suffering from pain and discomfort while pooping. It could indicate a gastrointestinal blockage or hairballs in the intestine, making it difficult and painful to defecate. In this situation, you need to take the cat to a vet immediately to find the cause of the pain.

Unclean Litter Box

Cats do not like their litter box to be dirty. Thus, they might howl before using the litter box if it needs to be cleaned, and if they yowl after pooping, you must take it as an indication to clean the litter box at the earliest because she wants hygiene and probably hates the smell of dirty litter boxes.

Excitement

Your cat might howl and meow loudly after releasing their business into the litter box to express the feeling of comfort, excitement, and the sudden burst of energy that they felt after pooping. They are happy for letting out the waste and feeling lighter.

Expects A Reward

If your pet cat’s litter training has recently been completed, then she’ll howl after using the litter box to request an award. This usually happens with young kittens who are in the habit of getting treats every time they poop, but this behavior needs to change once they grow old. 

You can pet your cat but do not associate the pooping time with rewards, or else you will have to live with those howls and meows every time after they defecate. 

Why Do Cats Cry Before They Poop

Crying loudly before pooping should be taken seriously as it might indicate underlying health conditions. If your pet cat has started to howl and cry louder than usual, it could be a sign of constipation or diarrhea, because of which she might be facing difficulties and strains while using the litter box.

Crying also indicates that your cat needs your help with constipation. It is also possible that there is a blockage in the intestine due to which she is struggling to make the bowel movement. Cats generally puke hairballs, and minor blockages are also eliminated through pooping, but if there is anything that cannot be passed, then your feline will howl while making the efforts.

Sometimes, your cat might howl because of the changes in the litterbox and if you have replaced their earlier one with a new one. Cats do not take changes well, and thus, even a slight change in their litter box can make them reluctant to poop, and they will express this by howling before pooping. An unclean litter box can also be a problem.

Do Cats Like Privacy When They Poop

Cats want privacy while they are passing the bowels. This is why they even howl before starting their business to warn the other predators not to disturb her during that stationary position. Cats do not like interruptions, loud sounds, or anything that irritates them while pooping.

Cats generally keep their area near the litter box away from the place where they eat or sleep. They do not like anyone watching them while they poop, and hence, try placing the litter box at a quiet place to poop comfortably.

Why Do Cats Run Around After Pooping

After pooping, if your pet cat runs around then, this might express the excitement and the sudden blast of pleasure they feel after defecating. This is normal behavior in cats, and there is nothing to worry about.

Cats feel a sense of joy and pleasure after they have passed the bowels. It makes them energetic and feels a little lighter and better. They express this feeling of comfort by running and racing around the house. This is peculiar, but it is common in cats.

Things To Consider

Howling and yowling of a cat before and after she poops is a general behavior. Still, sometimes it might also indicate some health problems and issues that she indicates by howling and crying. Hence, one needs to be observant about this. 

If you are worried about the poop-meowing behavior, you can check the litter box once the cat is done with its business of passing the stools and observe if the stools are hard, soft or is there any sign of blood. If there is anything unusual, you need to take your feline to a vet at the earliest. You can also check the cat’s bottom to observe for any swelling, redness, or signs of irritation there. Even if you find everything normal, try to keep a regular check.

If your pet cat is howling for more than 24 hours while passing the bowels, then you need to go to the vet. It could indicate some blockage that needs to be removed by surgery or medications.