Eating Feces in cats

Author: Dr. med. vet. Gisa Löwe | Last modified: 17.02.2026
Table of contents

When to visit the vet?

Home care monitor at home and contact your vet if worse

?

YELLOW/ORANGE if accompanied by diarrhea, weight loss, intense hunger, suspected parasites, or if it is a new occurrence.

Unsure about what’s wrong with your pet? Feel free to use our Symptom Checker for more clarity

Definition

Eating feces, also known as coprophagia, is an unusual behavior in cats where they consume their own stool or that of other animals. This behavior is quite rare in cats, but it can indicate various health or behavioral issues.

Can Occur with the Following Diseases:

Basics and possible causes

Coprophagia can occur for several reasons, which can be both physiological and psychological in nature. In the wild, eating feces might serve as a way to obtain certain nutrients contained in the stool. In domesticated cats, however, this behavior is less common and may point to other factors.

One possible cause could be a deficiency of certain nutrients in the cat’s diet. If the diet is not sufficiently balanced or certain vitamins and minerals are missing, the cat might try to compensate for this deficiency by eating feces. Poor digestion or an inability to properly absorb certain nutrients could also play a role.

Behavioral causes are equally relevant. Stress, boredom, or insufficient stimulation can lead cats to develop unusual behaviors, including coprophagia. In multi-cat households, competitive behavior or dominance issues can also occur, motivating the eating of feces as a form of communication or control over other cats.

Some medical conditions, such as pancreatic insufficiency, parasitic infections, or digestive tract diseases, can also lead to coprophagia. These conditions affect the cat’s ability to properly digest and absorb food, which could prompt them to eat feces to obtain the necessary nutrients.

Typical accompanying symptoms

  • Increased Vomiting: Cats that eat feces may vomit more frequently because their digestive system cannot cope with the ingested foreign substances.

  • Diarrhea or altered stool consistency: Ingestion of feces can lead to digestive disorders, which manifest as Diarrhea or other changes in bowel movements.

  • Weight loss: Unexplained Weight loss may occur due to inadequate nutrient absorption or an underlying disease.

  • Behavioral changes: Cats that are stressed or bored may show other behavioral changes in addition to coprophagia, such as excessive meowing or an increased need for attention.

  • Appetite changes: In addition to eating feces, other changes in eating behavior may occur, such as increased or decreased appetite.

When to see a vet?

A veterinarian should be consulted if eating feces occurs regularly in your cat or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms. A visit to the vet is particularly important if the cat suddenly starts this behavior, as this can indicate an acute health problem.

If your cat shows symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, or significant behavioral changes in addition to coprophagia, a prompt veterinary examination is advisable. These symptoms could indicate serious health problems that need to be treated.

A veterinarian should also be consulted if a nutritional cause, such as a nutrient deficiency, is suspected in order to check the cat’s diet and adjust it if necessary.

Symptom recognition for the pet owner and veterinary diagnostic procedure

For the pet owner, observing the cat can be crucial in identifying coprophagia behavior. Watch for whether your cat shows increased interest in the litter box or places where feces might be found.

The veterinarian will usually conduct a thorough medical history and ask questions about the cat’s behavior, diet, and general living conditions. A physical examination will follow to assess the cat’s health status.

Additionally, diagnostic tests such as blood work, fecal analysis, and ultrasounds may be required to identify potential medical causes like nutrient deficiencies, pancreatic issues, or parasitic infections. These tests help to make an accurate diagnosis and initiate the appropriate treatment.

What the pet owner can do and professional therapy options

As a pet owner, you can take several measures to change your cat’s behavior and prevent potential harm. Ensure your cat receives a balanced and high-quality diet to avoid nutrient deficiencies. Consulting a veterinarian or a nutritionist can be helpful.

Increase your cat’s mental and physical stimulation to avoid boredom. Offer toys, interactive games, and regular time for shared activities to increase your cat’s interest and satisfaction.

Keep the litter box clean to minimize your cat’s interest in the feces. Remove stool regularly and consider whether the location or type of litter box should be changed to influence the behavior.

If the behavior persists despite these measures, professional behavioral advice from a veterinarian or a behavior therapist is advisable in order to identify and specifically address the specific causes.

Outlook on current research

Eating feces, also known as coprophagia, is a behavior relatively rarely observed in cats, yet it is receiving increasing attention in veterinary research. Although it is more common and better studied in dogs, there are still some interesting developments in research regarding this behavior in cats. Researchers primarily investigate biological, psychological, and environmental factors that can lead to this behavior. A central topic is whether eating feces in cats is due to an eating disorder, a deficiency of certain nutrients, or a behavioral problem. Initial studies suggest that a lack of certain enzymes or nutrients in the food could play a role.

Another important aspect of the research is the role of stress and anxiety. Cats living under stressful conditions or in an environment they perceive as unsafe may be more prone to unusual behavior such as eating feces. Researchers are examining how environmental factors, such as the number of cats in the household, the amount of daily stimulation, and the overall quality of the environment, can influence this behavior. Studies suggest that improving living conditions and reducing stressors can lead to a reduction in this behavior.

Furthermore, there are studies focusing on the role of the intestinal flora. The hypothesis is that an imbalance in the gut microbiota can influence a cat’s behavior, including eating feces. By analyzing the composition of intestinal bacteria in cats that eat feces, researchers hope to identify specific differences that may be responsible for this behavior. In the long term, this research could lead to new treatment approaches, such as the administration of probiotics to improve gut health and correct the behavior.

Another interesting research direction is the investigation of genetic factors. There is evidence that eating feces occurs more frequently in certain cat breeds, which could indicate a genetic component. Research in this area could eventually lead to a better understanding of the genetic basis of this behavior and potentially to selective breeding programs to minimize it.

Additionally, the role of upbringing and socialization in the early development phase of cats is being studied. It is suspected that cats that were not properly socialized in their youth or did not receive sufficient care from their mother are more prone to behavioral issues like eating feces. Investigations in this area could lead to better rearing practices that help reduce this behavior.

Research on eating feces in cats is still in its early stages, but the findings gained so far are promising. Future studies could help uncover the exact mechanisms behind this behavior and develop effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Frequently asked questions

  1. Why is my cat eating feces? There are various reasons why a cat might eat feces. It can be due to a nutrient deficiency, stress, boredom, or a medical problem. An accurate diagnosis should be made by a vet.

  2. Is eating feces normal in cats? It is not considered normal behavior, especially compared to dogs, where it occurs more frequently. In cats, it should be seen as a potential sign of a problem.

  3. Can eating feces harm my cat? Yes, it can be harmful to health, as feces can contain parasites, bacteria, or viruses. It is important to stop the behavior and have the cat examined by a veterinarian.

  4. How can I prevent my cat from eating feces? Ensure your cat receives a balanced diet, reduce stressors, and provide sufficient mental and physical stimulation. Consult a veterinarian to rule out medical causes.

  5. Can eating feces indicate a disease? Yes, it can be a symptom of certain diseases or deficiencies, such as pancreatic problems or malnutrition. A veterinarian should examine the cat to determine the exact cause.

  6. Does diet play a role in eating feces? Yes, an unbalanced diet that does not provide all the necessary nutrients can lead cats to eat feces in order to compensate for deficits.

  7. Can stress be the reason for eating feces? Yes, stress and anxiety can trigger unusual behaviors like eating feces. It is important to review and, if necessary, improve the cat’s living conditions.

  8. Is it a sign of boredom if my cat eats feces? Yes, boredom can lead to behavioral problems, including eating feces. Make sure to provide your cat with enough toys and activity.

  9. Can a change in the household affect my cat’s behavior? Yes, changes such as moving, adding new pets, or people can cause stress and lead to behavioral issues.

  10. When should I see a veterinarian? If your cat repeatedly eats feces or shows other unusual behaviors, you should see a veterinarian to rule out possible health problems.