Help identifying animal scat

Question: Hello, we found animal scat in our garage. Our cat has also been missing. The scat was found inside a large garbage bin that was set next to closed-lid recycle bin. Inside the garbage bin, there was a closely tightened bag of cat litter waste. Please see pictures for your reference. the Ziplock bag contains 2 pieces of scat.

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 17, 2023, 11:00 AM EDT
response: An additional picture to original post.

responder: Beth Clawson MSU Extension Educator Natural Resources/Water Quality clawsonb@msu.edu Replied May 17, 2023, 1:28 PM EDT
response: Nihal,  Thank you for using Michigan State University Ask Extension about your scat question.  The scat in the image looks like dog droppings.  Odd that it is in your garage and in your bin.  That seems a mystery.

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 17, 2023, 1:53 PM EDT
response: Thanks so much for responding. Is there a chance it could be of a coyote? My cat is missing since Friday around the same time I found this scat. Thanks again.

responder: Beth Clawson MSU Extension Educator Natural Resources/Water Quality clawsonb@msu.edu Replied May 17, 2023, 2:05 PM EDT
response: It is entirely possible since the scat of both is similar.  Bold coyote to enter your garage though.  Even more unusual that it deficated there.  more likely a stray dog i think.

responder: Beth Clawson MSU Extension Educator Natural Resources/Water Quality clawsonb@msu.edu Replied May 17, 2023, 2:09 PM EDT
response: I found some images of raccoon scat that are similar.  Is it possible that raccoon got into your garage?

responder: Clay Wilton  Replied May 17, 2023, 11:09 PM EDT
response: Hello and thanks for your inquiry. To add on to Beth's response, I agree it looks more like domestic dog than coyote or raccoon. Coyote scat almost always has lots of hair and often bone fragments as well. Raccoon scat also usually has more visible food particles, such as seeds and vegetation. I also don't understand how this scat was deposited inside the garbage bin. None of these animals would instinctually do this; maybe raccoon I suppose but still very odd. Is it possible that someone walking their dog used your garbage bin to get rid of their waste or something?

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 17, 2023, 11:52 PM EDT
response: A picture of the recycle bin is attached for reference.

Thanks again,

Nihal

> On May 17, 2023, at 11:09 PM, Ask Extension <ask> wrote:
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responder: The Question Asker Replied May 17, 2023, 11:52 PM EDT
response: ﻿Thank you so much Beth and Clay.

Those are all possible scenarios for sure. The trash can was inside the garage though and it’s further away from the walkway so it’d be a daring neighbor too.

Is it possible for a coyote or other animals to jump on top of closed a recycling bin, squat and poop in the open garbage bin right next to it? The only bag in the garbage bin had soiled cat litter. Wonder if that attracted the animal to the garage and decided to mark a territory by pooping on top of it? Behaviorally and physically speaking, would they be able to get on top of a plastic recycling bin?

Also, do you know if there’s an organization that could analyze the scat? 

Thanks so so much. I’m greatly appreciative,
Nihal

> On May 17, 2023, at 11:09 PM, Ask Extension <ask> wrote:</ask>

responder: Ask Extension Question Wrangler Pronouns: she/her/hers  Find your local Extension office here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/county  Find an expert in a specific topic here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/experts/experts-by-topic-area   Find home gardening information here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/home_gardening/  Order a soil test kit here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/soil-testing-returns-through-msu-extension   Mold questions? We don’t have an expert in mold, but we do have a few resources below or contact the  Michigan health department. Molds in the Home  Indoor Air Quality May be Hazardous to Your Health    Mushroom questions? We can’t identify, but we do have these three resources to help you: Identifying  Morel  Poisonous  MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg, Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples. The University resides on the land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.     Replied May 18, 2023, 10:26 AM EDT
response: It appears that the MSU Veterinary College may do some testing:  VDL Homepage | College of Veterinary Medicine at MSU  Best wishes,

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 18, 2023, 10:44 AM EDT
response: Thanks so much Terri, very helpful. I appreciate all of your responses.  On Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 10:26:16 AM EDT, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Ask Extension Question Wrangler Pronouns: she/her/hers  Find your local Extension office here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/county  Find an expert in a specific topic here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/experts/experts-by-topic-area   Find home gardening information here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/home_gardening/  Order a soil test kit here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/soil-testing-returns-through-msu-extension   Mold questions? We don’t have an expert in mold, but we do have a few resources below or contact the  Michigan health department. Molds in the Home  Indoor Air Quality May be Hazardous to Your Health    Mushroom questions? We can’t identify, but we do have these three resources to help you: Identifying  Morel  Poisonous  MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg, Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples. The University resides on the land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.     Replied May 18, 2023, 12:26 PM EDT
response: You’re welcome.