Yes. Cats sometimes eat their own feces, a behavior called coprophagia. It is described as common in younger cats and may reflect curiosity, but medical problems—especially intestinal parasites—can also contribute. If it keeps happening, starts suddenly, or comes with other health or behavior changes, contact your veterinarian rather than assuming it is harmless.
Why might a cat eat its own poop?
There is no single established explanation for every cat. PetMD’s veterinarian-authored, reviewed article, updated May 26, 2026, describes coprophagia as common in younger cats and often related to curiosity. It also identifies intestinal parasites as a possible medical contributor and notes that other health issues may be involved. These are possibilities, not a diagnosis: eating feces does not by itself prove that a cat is sick.
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There is no reliable prevalence figure for feline coprophagia in the cited sources, and the available guidance does not establish a ranked list of causes or a behavioral fix that works for every cat.
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Clean up promptly
Remove feces from the litter area as soon as you can and keep the area clean. Cornell’s parasite-control guidance, updated June 2018, includes daily feces removal as a sanitation measure that helps control parasite exposure. Scooping reduces access to feces; it does not treat an underlying cause or guarantee the behavior will stop.
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Arrange a veterinary check when the behavior persists or is new
Contact your veterinarian if the behavior continues, appears suddenly, or occurs alongside changes in appetite, stool, energy, or breathing. Note when it happens, how often, your cat’s age, any other pets in the home, diet changes, and other symptoms. This history can help the veterinarian decide what to investigate.
Depending on the circumstances, the veterinarian may examine your cat and recommend blood work, fecal testing, or abdominal imaging. Testing is chosen for the individual cat; feces-eating alone does not determine which tests are needed.
Consider enrichment after medical concerns are addressed
If medical issues are ruled out or treated, review whether boredom or stress could be contributing. PetMD recommends environmental stimulation when boredom may be involved. Offer safe play and enrichment suited to your cat, but treat these as supportive steps rather than proven cures.
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Do not punish your cat
Punishment is not a useful way to teach the desired behavior and may increase anxiety. Cornell’s house-soiling guidance, updated January 2015, advises against punishment in litter-related behavior problems; this is general behavior guidance, not a coprophagia-specific treatment study.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When should you seek veterinary help?
Persistent or newly emerging feces-eating warrants a call to your veterinarian, particularly when other changes are present. Seek veterinary advice promptly if your cat has appetite loss, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, lethargy, coughing, wheezing, or trouble breathing. These are general warning signs associated with abnormal ingestion guidance, not a validated coprophagia-specific triage scale. Breathing difficulty or marked illness calls for urgent veterinary guidance.
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