Is it dangerous if my cat eats poo?

It is not usually dangerous on its own, but faeces can carry parasites or bacteria, so a cat that does this regularly has a slightly higher chance of picking up worms or an intestinal infection. That is one more reason to get to the bottom of why it is happening rather than ignoring it.

Do kittens grow out of eating poo?

Many do, once the exploratory mouthing phase passes and their litter habits settle. If a kitten keeps doing it well past the early weeks, or is not gaining weight properly, it is worth a vet check to rule out parasites or a diet that is not agreeing with them.

Can worms cause a cat to eat faeces?

Yes, intestinal parasites can affect how well a cat absorbs nutrients, which in some cases drives them to eat things they normally would not. Keeping worming treatments up to date is one of the simplest things to check first.

Should I change my cat's litter or food?

It can help, but change one thing at a time so you can tell what actually made the difference. A cleaner, more accessible litter tray routine solves this more often than a food change does, so start there before assuming the diet is the problem.

Why is my cat eating poo?

A cat eating faeces — their own, a housemate's, or a dog's — is uncommon compared with dogs but not as rare as owners assume. It is usually linked to diet, parasites, litter tray habits or stress rather than anything sinister, and it is very rarely a medical emergency on its own. It is still worth working out why, because a couple of the causes are ones you can fix quickly once you know what to look for.

Usually not urgent

This is common and often manageable at home — but see a vet if it persists, gets worse, or comes with other changes.

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How common this actually is

Coprophagia gets talked about far more in dogs, and that is a fair reflection of how the two species behave — dogs are opportunistic scavengers by nature, and cats generally are not. When a cat does it, owners are often more alarmed simply because it looks so out of character.

It shows up most in kittens exploring their environment with their mouths, in multi-cat or multi-pet households where a cat encounters another animal's waste in the litter tray or garden, and occasionally in adult cats with an underlying reason driving the behaviour rather than curiosity.

The usual causes

Diet is the first thing worth reviewing: a cat on a food that is not being digested and absorbed well can end up hungrier than the bowl suggests, and in rare cases that drives them to eat anything that smells of food, faeces included. Intestinal parasites are another common contributor, since worms can affect how well a cat absorbs nutrients from a normal meal.

Litter tray issues matter more than people expect. A tray that is not cleaned often enough, or one shared between too many cats, can push a cat toward eating waste simply to keep the area looking clean — an instinct that shows up more in some individual cats than others. Stress, boredom and a recent change at home (a new pet, a house move, a change in routine) can also trigger it, in the same way stress shows up as other odd behaviours in cats.

Older cats occasionally develop the habit alongside a change in appetite or mobility, and a cat sharing a home with a dog sometimes eats the dog's waste specifically rather than their own, which points more toward opportunistic scavenging than a problem with the cat's own digestion. Working out which of these fits your cat's situation is most of the way to sorting it.

Red flags that mean a vet visit rather than a wait-and-see

Book a vet appointment if the behaviour is new and persistent rather than a one-off, if your cat is also losing weight, vomiting, has diarrhoea, or seems less interested in their normal food, or if this is a kitten who is not thriving. Any of those alongside the behaviour points to something worth ruling out properly rather than managing at home.

A single incident in a kitten exploring a litter tray for the first time, or an adult cat encountering a dog's mess once in the garden, is not on its own a reason to panic. Persistent or repeated behaviour is the thing to act on.

What you can do about it

Start with the two most controllable factors: scoop the litter tray at least once a day, keep one tray per cat plus one spare in a multi-cat household, and make sure trays are somewhere quiet and easy to get to. A cat that is put off using a dirty or awkward tray is more likely to develop odd habits around it.

Check your cat is up to date with worming, since intestinal parasites are one of the more fixable causes and a routine treatment rules a common one out quickly. Feeding a consistent, good-quality complete food rather than switching brands often also helps, since a diet a cat digests well tends to reduce the hunger-driven scavenging that sometimes sits behind the behaviour.

If the behaviour continues once the tray, worming and diet are all sorted, that is the point to bring it to your vet rather than trying more things at home — ring your vet and describe what you have already ruled out, since it saves time at the appointment and points them toward what is left to check.

What can help

Things we stock that owners commonly use alongside a vet’s advice — not a substitute for it.

App-Controlled Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box

A smart self-cleaning litter box that scoops waste automatically and bags it contactlessly, so you never face the mess. The companion app records toilet use and weight, and sends full-box, low-litter and cleaning reminders.

£399.99

Fast UK delivery

Enclosed Cat Litter Box with Carbon Filter

A roomy enclosed litter box with a carbon filter that helps keep household odours in check.

From£28.99

Extra-Large Smart Self-Cleaning Litter Box

An extra-large automatic self-cleaning litter box with a smart control panel and app-style buttons. It sifts and seals away waste after each use, saving daily scooping and keeping odours under control for busy cat owners.

£174.99

Common questions

Is it dangerous if my cat eats poo?: It is not usually dangerous on its own, but faeces can carry parasites or bacteria, so a cat that does this regularly has a slightly higher chance of picking up worms or an intestinal infection. That is one more reason to get to the bottom of why it is happening rather than ignoring it.
Do kittens grow out of eating poo?: Many do, once the exploratory mouthing phase passes and their litter habits settle. If a kitten keeps doing it well past the early weeks, or is not gaining weight properly, it is worth a vet check to rule out parasites or a diet that is not agreeing with them.
Can worms cause a cat to eat faeces?: Yes, intestinal parasites can affect how well a cat absorbs nutrients, which in some cases drives them to eat things they normally would not. Keeping worming treatments up to date is one of the simplest things to check first.
Should I change my cat's litter or food?: It can help, but change one thing at a time so you can tell what actually made the difference. A cleaner, more accessible litter tray routine solves this more often than a food change does, so start there before assuming the diet is the problem.

Sources

Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.