Why is my cat so messy in the box?

My 4 1/2 month old cat has recently been getting really messy in the litter box and it's becoming an issue for me. When I first got her she was 8 weeks and was really clean in the litter, she never got smeared or anything. A little over a month ago though, everytime she uses it she comes out with poop smeared on her legs, butt and tail. I thought maybe she was getting big for the box so I got her a new one and I still have the same issue. Now everytime she needs to poop I always need to clean her up or else she goes around the house smearing poop. I usually rinse her paws but she hates it. Some days I even need to stay up late just in case she needs to poop. I have heard that cats hate their poop and are really clean. But not mine. Sometimes she even lays in her box after she's pooped. The vet said she would grow out of it but she was much cleaner as a small baby and now that shes older shes messier,? It happens with both hard and soft poop. Will this habit stay with her forever, because I don't want to be cleaning her after every poop forever. Not to mention how disgusting and messy my bathroom is since shes been doing this.

Hi springelf, It does sound strange that she would suddenly have changed her toilet behaviour like this. Has anything happened? Have you ruled out a medical issue? Do you have any other cats?

Maybe try getting a second litter box with different litter types to try out in. Although this sounds more psychological to me than physical. Try not to be upset with her about this, it is not something she does to annoy you, somehow she has a problem and we need to figure out what it is.

Also be careful with cleaning her up. It may prompt her to stop cleaning herself up after. You are kind of enabeling her. And should this turn out to be about attention, than this is not the kind you want to give her. Is she alone a lot? Do you have daily play sessions with her?

Have you taken your cat to a vet? The issue seems to be that your cat isn't well. You have posted several threads about various health concerns. Most recently, that she may have been seriously injured.

She needs to go to a vet. Poo smearing shouldn't happen if she's having normal stools.

I know you are seeing these all as individual issues but they are not.

Good point talkingpeanut. I had not noticed this.

Looks like this kitten has been through a lot. That could certainly be part of the problem. Especially the part where she is locked up so much and not allowed to behave normally. Maybe she's just real confused now.

A vet would be a good place to start, and give him all the info. Best of luck!