Sphynx Cats Poop Issues: 8 Things You Must Know.

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When it comes to sphynx cats and pooping, it can be a very messy situation. There are a lot of litterbox-related issues and challenges that the sphynx breed faces.

There are a lot of things that you need to know about your sphynx cat to make sure you are ready for any poop-related issues while also preventing messy situations.

Here’s what you need to know about Sphynx cats in regard to their poop.

1. Sphynx Cats Poop More Than Regular Cats!

Many sphynx owners are still puzzled by the number of times their sphynx cat poop. The sphynx breed does in fact poop more than any regular cat for various reasons. This is one of the reasons why they are regarded as high maintenance.

The first reason is that the breed has a lot of digestion issues, food intolerance, and allergies. This means their stomachs are more sensitive and will require a proper diet to maintain a healthy gut.

It’s common for them to poop more frequently especially when their diet is not right or they have eaten something they shouldn’t. An upset stomach will result in irregular bowel movements which will appear more frequently.

What works best for most sphynx cats is a combination of raw and dry food. Preferable raw food as it’s easy on their stomachs. Ultimately, find the best possible diet that suits your cat’s personal needs.

The second reason why sphynx cats poop more often is that they have fast metabolisms and get hungry more often. These high-intensity cats are always active burning a lot more calories than a regular cat.

They get hungry more often and will require more food than a regular cat, and as you know the more you eat the more you let out.

Another possible reason could be the type of foods that are included in their diet. Some dry foods will also cause an increase in feces compared to grain-free foods.

2. How Often Do Sphynx Cats Poop?

Cats in general, irrespective of breed defecate at least once or twice a day. This is regarded as normal and it should be expected in the sphynx breed if everything is well.

However, due to the sphynx breed having irregular bowel movements, it’s possible for them to poop more frequently like three or four times a day, sometimes even more frequently.

This is due to their body’s ability to break down and digest food at a higher rate compared to other cats.

It also depends on the amount of food that your Sphynx cat consumes, also the type of food that’s incorporated into their diet.

It’s best to observe your sphynx stool to check for anything out of the normal. Sometimes an upset stomach may be the cause of the frequent litterbox visits.

If all is well with their stool in terms of texture and appearance, it shouldn’t be a problem no matter how many times they poop. This is just one of the many cons that are associated with this breed.

3. Get A Self-Cleaning Litterbox IMMEDIATELY!

The old traditional litterboxes are good and well but will it work out for the sphynx breed? It can work well for the sphynx breed but this just puts extra pressure on you(the owner) to constantly make sure the litter box is clean.

You’re going to need to shovel throughout the day to ensure the litterbox is fresh for the next round.

Sphynx cats are fussy and they won’t use a litterbox if it’s dirty and hasn’t been cleaned. Luckily there is an automatic self-cleaning litterbox that can take the hassle away.

These latest litterboxes come packed with features such as safety control, deodorizer, app monitoring, and heat monitoring. Here are my 2 picks.

A. Best Overall

B. Best Budget.

3. Why Do Sphynx Cats Poop Smell So Bad?

Poop in general is waste and waste smells regardless of who it came from. With the sphynx breed, it’s totally different as their poop has the tendency to smell really awful in which the entire house smells bad.

Diet plays a major role in the digestive health and excretion of the sphynx breed. These cats are known for having digestive problems and food intolerance. This means normal cat food will upset their stomachs, resulting in smelly poop.

These cats require high-quality food that won’t just keep their belly full but will be easy and nourishing to their bodies. Wrong foods will directly affect their poop in regards to smell and texture.

If you notice your sphynx poop is smellier than usual, just know that the food isn’t agreeing with them or they have eaten something they shouldn’t have.

It does take time to understand their gut health as each sphynx is different, however, you should make the necessary adjustments in a controlled way to make sure your sphynx has a healthy gut.

You can also seek advice from your local vet, preferably from a vet who has knowledge and experience of the sphynx breed.

4. Do Sphynx Cats Cover Their Poop?

Cats are known as being very hygienic pets as they are always grooming themselves and covering up their poop. In regards to the sphynx breed, not all sphynx cover their poop and some are known for just being messy.

Some sphynx are very fussy and will cover their poop with litter after each use. These are normally the fussy ones who like keeping their litterboxes clean and will refuse to use a litterbox if it’s not cleaned.

While other Sphynx cats will simply poop and ignore it as if it doesn’t matter. Of course, uncovered poop will result in your house smelling really bad.

This will require you to scoop all day long, or several times a week to make sure you minimize the smell.

Either than that, there isn’t anything that can be done if your sphynx doesn’t cover their poop, at least from what I know you just need to get used to the smell or get a good fragrant litter to combat the smell.

It’s also preferred to place the litter box away from the main areas in your home, to decrease the chances of having messy and smelly situations as this breed is known for all sorts of poop issues.

5. Why Do Sphynx Cats Poop/ Pee Outside The Litterbox?

Another litterbox-related issue that is very common is when sphynx cats refuse to use their litterbox and will rather poop or pee outside the litterbox.

There are many reasons why your sphynx cat may reject their litterbox, Let’s discuss some of the possible reasons.

1. Litter.

There are many ways to check if your cat doesn’t like the brand of litter that you using. According to Sphynxlair, these signs include:

• Your Sphynx places two of his paws on the edge of the box and the other two in the litter while using it.

• Your Sphynx does not dig a hole first or she does not like to cover her pee or poop.

• Your Sphynx shakes his paws after stepping out of the litter box, probably to get the litter off its paws.

• Your Sphynx scratches the floor or carpet just outside of his litter box.

• Your Sphynx pees or poops just outside of his litter box.

It’s also important to know that the type of litter you use for the Sphynx breed must be natural and free from irritants and fragrances.

Due to their baldness, it’s easy for the skin to get inflamed and irritated, Which can be the reason why they stay away from the litterbox.

If you have recently changed the cat’s litter for whatever reason, this could be the cat rejecting this unfamiliar litter.

In this case, you will have to take the time to acclimate them to the new litter.

2. Box.

A litterbox can be a problem if you have recently bought a new box. A new one will require an adjustment period for the cat to get used to the box before they are comfortable using it.

Multiple cats using one litterbox could also be a problem as cats are territorial and they love having their own things. The scent of another cat on things that are theirs will cause problems.

Another box-related issue is that some litterboxes are just difficult to use. Some may be bigger, wider, higher, or even uncomfortable for them to use.

Also, the new litterboxes which are self-cleaning may be different for your sphynx since they normally cover their own poop.

All these issues are valid reasons why the type of litterbox you choose is important to make sure your cat has a good litterbox that they are comfortable using.

3. Location.

The location of the litterbox is crucial in making them comfortable enough to use it. If the current location of the box isn’t working try another area within your home that is a corner away from anyone.

The litterbox should be placed in an easy-to-reach area for them to use whenever they need to. It should be away from washing machines and noise.

The location should also be away from areas of the house that have fragrances such as perfumes, fresheners, and detergents. These smells could deter the cat from using the box.

4. Fussy Sphynx.

Some sphynx are just fussy and this means they want a fresh box each time they need to poop or pee.

It’s not uncommon for cats to behave in this manner, where they will poop or pee outside the box just because their box isn’t cleaned.

This will require more frequent scooping and basically extra cleaning. You can ultimately acclimate them to a new litterbox, the ones that are self-cleaning which can greatly help.

However before you make any drastic decisions, find out exactly what the reason is for them not using the litterbox. If you know your sphynx and know how picky they are, it’s best to get them an upgraded litterbox that can clean itself.

6. Sphynx Cats And Runny Poop ( Diarrhea).

Runny poop/ diarrhea is a sphynx parent’s worst nightmare. I’ve heard and read countless stories regarding the mess that runny poop causes, as this poop is eventually carried throughout the house.

Runny poop in sphynx is very common due to their sensitive stomachs. This just results in a mess and them getting dirty way too often. There are many causes for this problem in sphynx cats such as:

1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

IBS is an acute condition that causes gastrointestinal distress. This is often caused by allergies or intolerances to something that the cat may have ingested. Over time this syndrome can lead to IBD which is a chronic form of distress.

The symptoms include diarrhea, painful pooping, bloating (gas), nausea and vomiting. Possible causes include trauma, traveling a dietary intolerance or allergy, or a change in the normal function of the bowel.

2. Giardia (Parasite).

Giardia is a parasite that lives in the intestinal tract and causes damage to the intestines. Giardia is commonly seen in young cats confined together in groups, such as catteries, kennels, shelters, and pet stores.

Runny poop is the most common symptom followed by vomiting and weight loss. For treatment purposes, proper testing must be done to diagnose the problem. The use of Metronidazole (Flagyl) works well to treat this problem.

3. Wrong Choice Of Foods.

Diet is important for the sphynx breed since they are prone to all sorts of digestive issues. Normal store-bought will not be ideal, a raw-based diet or raw meals incorporated into their diet works.

Raw foods have the necessary moisture that your cat needs, that’s left out when they consume dry food. Raw foods also have the necessary vitamins and minerals needed for them to have a balanced diet.

This diet change will cause their feces to harden up and will also help with the smell. Since sphynx owners have realized that the smell of the poop of a cat that’s on a raw diet is much better.

The only problem that raw food poses is that it’s very time-consuming to prepare and it cannot be left in their bowls for more than a few hours since bacteria can rapidly increase.

The best solution is to get raw freeze-dried food. This product is raw, meaning it has all the health benefits but it will last throughout the day without it going bad. A complete game-changer for Sphynx owners. Here are my 2 recommended freeze-dried products.

7. Why Do Sphynx Cats Step On Their Poop?

According to most sphynx owners, poop tails and poop feet are a thing with the sphynx breed. The main reason for this mess is runny poop. Runny poop can easily be spread and cause havoc.

Basically what happens, is that when the cat poops, they try to cover it with its paws. In the process, their legs step into the poop because their legs are used to cover the stool. Since their poop is runny, this makes it difficult for them to cover.

Before you know it, their paws and tails as well as other parts of their bodies are already messed up. They then spread it throughout the house causing more of a total poo disaster.

The best and only way to prevent this is to stop the runny poo. Normally a change of diet is required, which normally consists of a raw diet.

8. Why Do Sphynx Cats Poop Blood?

Blood in the stool seems to be another issue with Sphynx cats. It’s to be expected since this breed has a lot of complications with its digestive system.

It’s important to know that persistent blood in the stool is not normal and the necessary steps must be followed to diagnose and treat it.

The bloody stool can be the result of several digestive problems. Issues such as:

1.  Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

2. Chronic diarrhea.

3. Giardia ( parasites ).

4. Inflammation/ Intolerance.

5. Food That’s not agreeing.

6. Change of Diet.

Bloody stool isn’t something to worry about until the problem persists and if the blood is evident in the stool it means the source of the blood is somewhere near the anus. If the problem was inside the intestines the blood would’ve changed color as it passed through.

It’s important to be very observant of their poop to make sure that blood isn’t continuously being passed out. Having bloody poop once or twice may be fine.

Continuous excretion of blood may indicate a bigger problem, and it’s best to get to your nearest vet ASAP.

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