Why do dogs and cats squat when they poop, but cows and horses don't?

[Jake1865]

Any biology students out there? Why do some four legged animals defecate differently than others?

[Chalice1791]

Just because they're all four legged doesn't mean their anatomy is particularly similar. Horses and cows back legs and hips don't allow them to squat like that. Furthermore they don't need to - being herbivores (with entirely different digestive processes) they produce far greater quantities of faeces which is passed far more easily - almost involuntarily. Think about when they poo - with horses and cows it just plops out of them while they're walking or eating, dogs and cats have to put in more effort to pass meat-based faeces! Humans are also squatters naturally.Chalice

[Catherine5230]

Oh gosh.. as soon as i read this, i got an image of a cow squatting...... Sorry i couldnt help with your question..

[heartohavefun]

cows and Horses, have "what we call" a "non drip ar.se. so they dont need too

[princesslauren4723]

My rabbits squat too when they are doing their business,not sure maybe its a comfort thing thats a good question though ill give you a star! xx

[totalrandomness21]

as well as the first answer here which answers the question brilliantly, it might also be because horses and cows are technically prey animals. It's not very safe for them to have to stop and squat to do their business; it'd make them easier targets (and who wants to get attacked while taking a poop, really :P) whereas cats and dogs who are natural predators don't have to worry and can take their time.