Decode the secrets hiding in the box — because your cat’s health depends on it!
If you’re a cat parent, chances are you’ve scooped your fair share of litter boxes. But have you ever stopped to really pay attention to what’s in there? As unglamorous as it sounds, your cat’s bathroom habits can be one of the most important windows into their health.
From the color of their poop to how often they pee, there’s a lot your cat’s litter box is trying to tell you—if you know how to listen (and look). Let’s dive into what’s normal, what’s not, and when it’s time to call the vet.
🚽 What Normal Looks Like
Before we talk red flags, here’s what a healthy litter box routine typically looks like:
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Peeing: 1-2 times per day, pale yellow urine with no strong odor.
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Pooping: Once a day (or once every two days), with well-formed, medium-brown stools that are not too hard or too soft.
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Litter box visits: Your cat should enter, do their business, cover it (unless they’re just quirky), and leave without much drama.
- 💡 Tip: Use our Original litter to make it easier to see the colour of your cat's urine.
🚩 What to Watch For: The Sneaky Red Flags
1. Too Much Pee or Too Little
🚱 Could indicate: Kidney disease, diabetes, urinary tract infection (UTI), or dehydration.
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💡 Tip: Clumping litter makes it easier to see how much urine your cat produces. Giant clumps? That could be excessive urination.
2. Frequent Trips with No Output
🚨 Could indicate: Urinary blockage—a life-threatening emergency, especially in male cats.
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🆘 If your cat is straining in the box, vocalizing, or licking their genitals, get to a vet immediately.
3. Poop Problems (Too Soft, Too Hard, or Missing Entirely)
💩 Could indicate: Dietary issues, stress, parasites, or constipation.
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Diarrhea that lasts more than a day? Vet visit.
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Constipation for more than 48 hours? Also a vet visit.
4. Blood in Urine or Stool
🩸 Could indicate: UTI, colitis, or more serious internal issues.
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Even a little pink tinge isn’t normal. Don’t wait—get it checked out.
5. Unusual Colors or Smells
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Bright yellow or dark orange urine could signal liver issues.
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Greasy, grayish stool might mean problems with fat digestion.
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Really foul smells can be a red flag for infection or digestive disorders.
6. Going Outside the Box
🧼 Could indicate: Medical issue, dirty litter box, stress, or territorial behavior.
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Rule out medical reasons first.
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Then check litter cleanliness, location, and if there's been a stressful change (new pet, move, loud noises).
🐾 Behavior Speaks Too!
If your cat is:
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Hovering near the box a lot
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Crying before or after going
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Avoiding the box entirely
…it’s time to pay close attention. They’re communicating the only way they know how.
🧴 Pro Tip: Make Litter Box Monitoring Easy
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Use clumping litter and low-dust formulas.
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Scoop daily, fully clean monthly.
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Consider a health-monitoring litter that changes color with pH shifts or blood.
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Keep one box per cat plus one extra in multi-cat households.
👩⚕️ When to Call the Vet
Don’t play guessing games with your kitty’s health. If you notice:
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Blood
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Straining
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Sudden changes in frequency or consistency
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Dramatic behavioral shifts
…it’s worth a trip to the vet. Catching problems early can make all the difference.
Final Scoop
Your cat’s litter box might not be the most glamorous part of your home—but it is one of the most important. By staying observant and knowing what to look for, you can catch health issues early, avoid emergencies, and keep your feline friend feeling their absolute best.
Next time you’re scooping, take a second look—you might be surprised what your cat’s trying to tell you.
