Having a pet is just like taking care of a baby. Since they can’t speak our language, we should always be ready to deal with their health-related problems.
For example, if you are planning a road trip with your pet, you must be prepared for all types of emergencies. This can also include their pooping sessions.
You don’t want to spoil your new car’s seat cover with your cat’s poop on it. So, you must know about your pet’s food habits and bowel movements before heading out.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about your cat’s bowel movement and particularly how long cats can hold their poop. If you do not want to mess up the outing with your cat, read this article till the end.
How Long Can Cats Hold Their Poop
A cat is a much-disciplined animal, and they do their everyday routine work with utmost punctuality. However, there are many factors responsible for your cat’s poop-holding capacity but, the maximum time a cat can hold its poop is 48 hours. Even so, kittens can only hold it for 12 to 24 hours.
This generally happens due to some external changes around your cat’s routine or even due to some health issues. Let’s discuss the factors that determine a cat’s poop-holding capacity.
1 Cats Bladder And Gut Health
Not every cat carries the same bladder. Just like human beings, different cats have different capacities to hold their pee or poop.
For instance, a cat with a larger bladder tends to pee less than those with smaller bladders.
So, if you want to know about your cat’s gut health, you must visit a veterinary doctor to know if everything is alright with your cat.
2 Infections And Blockages In Urinary And Gut Tract
Animals generally don’t understand what they are eating. Sometimes, they eat something which is not very easy for them to digest. As a result, the particles may block the gut tract of your cat.
In these cases, your cat may face difficulties pooping and can go without pooping for more than 36 hours.
3 Cats Health And Activity Level
Have you ever wondered how fit your cat is? So basically, your cat also needs to work out to maintain proper gut health.
However, you won’t have to worry much about it as cats are disciplined with their schedule.
Once you train them to go for a walk or jump, they will keep doing it every day. But if your cat is a typical lazy breed, then they may poop more often.
4 Age Of The Cat
As mentioned above, kittens cannot easily hold their poop for more than 12-24 hours. So, if you have adopted a new kitty, make sure to put them on their tray as per their routine.
5 External Stresses And Changes
Many cats suffer from social anxiety. Due to these problems, they sometimes poop more in front of strangers. You can consult his vet about this problem.
6 The Cat’s Diet And Meal Portions
This is a significant factor that determines your cat’s bowel movement. So, if you are planning to travel with your cat, make sure not to feed anything heavy before 4-6 hours. Light fiber-less meals stimulate the urge to poop faster than meals rich in fiber.
7 Lifestyle
You build your cat’s lifestyle. So, if you have adopted a new kitten, you can teach them when to poop, when to eat, and when to sleep as you want. If you are planning for a road trip, you can also train your cat on how to hold their poop for some time.
When To Consult A Doctor
Even though cats can poop once in two days, there is a limit to when you must take them to a doctor for proper diagnosis. Many symptoms indicate that your cat needs immediate professional help. The symptoms are as follows:
- If you see that your cat has not pooped for more than 3-4 days
- If there is any trace of blood on the poop
- If you notice any change in the texture or color of the poop
- Excessive intake of fur
- If your cat behaves differently and you notice any change
- If your cat refuses to eat or drink
- If they are vomiting excessively
- If you see any other signs of constipation
Even though these symptoms can be because of mild changes around your cat, they must still be taken care of by the doctor. Since in extreme cases, there can be permanent blockage of the bowel system, which can only be cured with surgery.
Conclusion
Now that you know how long cats can hold their poop, you can readily understand their psychology and train them to poop whenever convenient to you. But make sure not to teach them any unhealthy method as it can cause chronic damage to their digestive system.
If you plan a trip and want your cat to hold their poop, you can try alternative ways like keeping frequent stops or carrying the poop tray with you. This would make your trip better and will also not disrupt your cat’s daily routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Cats Hold Their Poop Overnight?
Yes, cats can easily hold their poop overnight. Then, they can quickly go eight to twelve hours, whatever is necessary, without pooping.
How Do You Know When Your Cat Needs To Go To The Bathroom?
There are signs you need to notice, like sniffing the ground, meowing, and darting behind the sofa. This indicates that your kitten wants to relieve himself. Direct them to their tray or place them above it. Do not forget to give them some privacy while they are pooping.
Why Isn’t My Cat Peeing Or Pooping?
If your cat is not peeing or pooping for a significant amount of time, then there is a chance that he has constipation. But if it’s more than 48 hours, then you must consult your pet’s doctor. It can also cause urinary tract obstruction, which can be deadly if not treated correctly.
