Prevent Litter Box Problems
At least 10% of cats face elimination issues. Some stop using the litter box entirely, while others may only urinate or defecate in it, leaving the other function for another spot. Cats can develop these problems due to conflicts with other cats, dislike of the litter or box type, past health issues, or the box's location. Once a cat avoids the litter box, it can become a long-term issue if she prefers a specific surface, like a rug or chair, for elimination.
To prevent these issues, make the litter boxes as inviting as possible. Pay attention to your cat's habits to catch any problems early. If your cat eliminates outside her box, address it quickly to prevent her from favoring an undesirable area.
Elimination problems in cats can vary and are often complex. Tailored behavioral treatments can be effective. Read the entire article to help identify your cat's specific issue and learn about different solutions for success.
Why Do Some Cats Poop Outside the Litter Box?
Litter-Box Management Problems
If your cat doesn’t like her litter box or can’t get to it easily, she may not use it. Here are some common litter box issues that might make her go outside the box:
You need to clean your cat's litter box more often and better.
Make sure you have one litter box for each cat, plus one extra.
Your cat's litter box is too small.
Your cat can't reach her litter box all the time.
Your cat feels uneasy because her litter box has a hood or liner.
The litter in your cat’s box is too deep. Cats usually like one to two inches of litter.
Surface Preference
Some cats prefer to go to the bathroom on specific surfaces like carpet, potting soil, or bedding.
Litter Preference or Aversion
Cats are nocturnal hunters with keen senses of smell and touch that help them explore their surroundings. These strong senses can affect how a cat reacts to its litter. If a cat is used to a specific type of litter, it may not like the smell or texture of a new one.
Location Preference or Aversion
Cats, like dogs and people, have favorite spots to go to the bathroom and will avoid places they don’t like. If they dislike the location of their litter box, they may not use it.
Inability to Use the Litter Box
Older cats or those with physical challenges may struggle to use certain litter boxes, like top-entry boxes or those with high sides.
Negative Litter-Box Association
There are several reasons why a cat that usually uses her litter box suddenly stops. One common reason is that something scared or upset her while she was in the box. You might see her hesitating to go back; she may go in but then quickly leave without using it.
Painful elimination is another possible cause. If your cat experienced pain due to a medical issue when using the box, she might have connected that discomfort with the litter box. Even if she's healthy again, she may still avoid using it.
Household Stress
Stress can lead to litter-box issues. Cats may become stressed by situations that owners don’t consider as serious. Changes like moving, adding new pets or people, or even altering your daily routine can cause anxiety for your cat.
Multi-Cat Household Conflict
Sometimes, one or more cats in a home can stop other cats from using the litter box. Even if a cat isn’t directly confronting others, any tension among them can lead to issues with using the litter box.
Medical Problems That Can Cause Inappropriate Elimination
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
If your cat often goes to the litter box but only urinates a little, she might have a urinary tract infection. Take her to the vet to check for this issue.
Feline Interstitial Cystitis
Feline interstitial cystitis is a condition that affects a cat’s bladder, causing inflammation. Affected cats often try to urinate frequently and struggle to do so, which may lead to licking the area and blood in their urine. This condition can make a cat urinate outside of the litter box due to the urgency and pain. Feline interstitial cystitis is serious and can be life-threatening, requiring immediate veterinary treatment.
Kidney Stones or Blockage
If your cat has kidney stones or a blockage, she may go to the litter box often. She might feel pain and meow or cry when trying to urinate. Her belly could be sensitive when touched.
Other Behavior Problems to Rule Out
Urine Marking
Urine marking is often misunderstood as a litter box issue since it involves urinating outside the box. However, its causes and treatments are different from typical litter box problems. A cat that urine marks will still use her litter box but will also urinate in other places, typically on vertical surfaces. When marking, she backs up to an object like a chair or wall, stands upright, and raises her tail while spraying urine. Her tail may twitch during this process. The amount of urine sprayed is usually less than what she would release in the litter box. For more details, see our article on urine marking in cats.
What to Do If Your Cat Eliminates Outside the Litter Box
Basic Tips for Making Cats Feel Better About Using Their Litter Boxes
Most cats prefer clean litter boxes, so scoop and change the litter at least once daily. Wash the litter box with baking soda or unscented soap once a week.
Most cats like big boxes they can easily get into. Plastic sweater bins work great as litter boxes.
Most cats prefer a thin layer of litter. Use one to two inches instead of three to four.
Most cats like clumping, unscented litter.
Your cat might like the same litter she had as a kitten.
Most cats dislike box liners or lids.
Cats prefer their litter boxes in quiet spots that aren't too enclosed. They want to see people or other pets coming and appreciate having multiple ways to exit quickly if needed.
Self-cleaning litter boxes are usually cleaner than regular ones, so many cats like them. But if your cat begins to go outside the box, consider switching to a regular litter box.
Resolving a Litter-Box Problem
To solve the problem of your cat eliminating outside the litter box, first check for urine marking or health issues. Take your cat to the vet for a thorough examination. Once the vet rules out medical problems, follow these guidelines:
Have enough litter boxes for your cats—one for each cat, plus one extra. For three cats, you need at least four litter boxes.
Put litter boxes in easy-to-reach spots, away from busy areas where the cat might feel cornered. In multi-story homes, have a litter box on each floor. Avoid placing boxes near loud appliances, dog food and water bowls, or high-traffic zones.
Place your cat’s food bowls away from her litter box.
Take off the covers and liners from all litter boxes.
Offer your cat different types of litter. Cats usually like clumping litter with a medium to fine texture. Use unscented litter. Place various types of litter in boxes next to each other so your cat can choose her favorite.
Scoop the litter box daily. Clean all boxes weekly with warm water and unscented soap, baking soda, or no soap, and replace the litter completely. Avoid scented cleaners, as your cat may dislike the smell.
Clean accidents well with an enzyme cleaner that removes pet odors. You can find this cleaner at most pet stores.
If your cat has accidents in specific places, put litter boxes there. If you can't place a box in those areas, try putting her food, water, bed, or toys nearby to discourage her from eliminating there again.
Make unwanted elimination spots unattractive. Install regular or motion-activated lights in dark areas. You can also make surfaces uncomfortable to stand on by using upside-down carpet runners, tin foil, or double-sided sticky tape where your cat has previously eliminated.
If Your Cat Has Developed a Surface or Location Preference
If your cat prefers to eliminate on a specific surface or location, change that area to make it less appealing. For dark spots, add a bright or motion-activated light. To make surfaces uncomfortable, use upside-down carpet runners, tin foil, or double-sided sticky tape where your cat has gone before. Also, provide extra litter boxes in suitable places, and offer different types of litter to see which one your cat likes best. Place the boxes next to each other with various litters and monitor which one she uses. Clean any accidents thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to eliminate pet odors, available at most pet stores.
If Your Cat Has Developed a Litter Preference or Aversion
Cats often choose their preferred litter type and scent when they are kittens. While some cats can easily switch to a new litter, others may not be comfortable if they haven’t used it before. If you think your cat dislikes her litter, try different options. Generally, cats prefer clumping litter with a medium to fine texture and usually like it unscented. To help her find her favorite, place several boxes with different litters side by side. Clean any accidents thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner designed to remove pet odors, available at most pet stores.
If Your Cat Is Unable to Use Her Litter Box
Cats with special needs, like older or young ones, may struggle with certain litter boxes. High sides or top openings can make it hard for them to get in and out. Use a litter box with low sides instead. If your cat has accidents outside the box, clean it well with an enzymatic cleaner that eliminates pet odors, available at most pet stores.
Treatment for Negative Litter Box Association
If your cat has had a scary or upsetting experience while using the litter box, she might start to avoid it. This can happen if she feels trapped by another animal or person, hears loud noises, or sees something frightening. These events can make her hesitant to use the box. Signs of this fear include quickly running into the box and leaving without finishing or eliminating nearby instead of inside the box. This indicates that she is anxious about using her litter box, especially if she previously used it without issues.
Changing the Way Your Cat Feels
If your cat has bad feelings about her litter box, you can help her create positive experiences. You can't force a cat to like something, and trying to place her in the box to show it's safe may make her dislike it more. It's also not effective to train her to use the litter box with treats like you would with a dog, as most cats prefer privacy while eliminating. A qualified animal behavior expert, such as a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB), can guide you in developing a retraining plan. For more information on finding help, please refer to our article on professional behavior assistance.
Retraining your cat to use the litter box might not always be needed. Here are steps to help your cat create positive experiences.:
Relocate your cat's litter box or add more boxes in different spots. Choose areas where your cat can see anyone coming from the sides and where there are multiple ways to escape. Ensure that children and other pets that might scare your cat cannot access her litter box.
Fill the litter boxes with one to two inches of litter that differs slightly from what your cat avoids. Use either a finer or coarser texture. If you've been using scented litter, switch to unscented.
Play with your cat near her litter box and leave treats and toys for her to discover nearby. Just be sure not to place her food bowl near the box, as cats typically prefer not to eliminate close to their meals.
If you have a long-haired cat, gently trim the fur on her rear if it becomes dirty or tangled. Matting can pull on her hair while she goes to the bathroom, which can hurt her and make her fearful of the litter box.
Treatment for Household Stress
Cats may stop using their litter boxes when stressed. Identify and remove any stressors in your cat’s environment. For example, keep her food bowls full and in the same spot, maintain a consistent routine, prevent dogs from chasing her, and close blinds to limit her view of outside cats. If you can't remove all stressors, try to lessen them. Use sprays or diffusers with synthetic pheromones, which can help reduce stress in cats.
Treatment for Multi-Cat Household Conflict
Conflict between cats in the same home can lead to elimination issues. If you have multiple cats and can't tell which one is soiling, consult your veterinarian about using fluorescein, a safe dye that makes urine glow blue under UV light for about 24 hours. If fluorescein isn't an option, you can isolate each cat temporarily to identify the one not using the litter box.
To help a stressed cat, add more litter boxes in areas where she spends time. Ensure each cat has enough resting spots, such as shelves, window sills, or multi-perch cat trees. Distribute resources like food, water, scratching posts, and litter boxes to minimize conflict. Using synthetic pheromone sprays or diffusers can also lower stress among the cats.
Medications
Always talk to your vet or a pet behavior expert before giving your cat any medication for behavior issues. Medications may help with inappropriate elimination caused by stress or anxiety but won't fix problems related to litter choices, dislike of the litter box, surface preferences, or physical difficulties using the box. If you're interested in this option, consult your vet or a certified pet behaviorist who can collaborate with your vet. For help finding a professional, check our article on Finding Professional Behavior Help.
What NOT to Do
To solve your cat’s elimination issues, avoid these common mistakes.:
Don't shove your cat's nose in urine or feces.
Don't scold your cat or force her to the litter box.
Avoid keeping your cat in a small room with just a litter box for days or longer without trying to solve her elimination issues.
Avoid using ammonia-based cleaners for accidents. Since urine has ammonia, these cleaners may draw your cat back to the same spot. Use a cleaner made for pet messes instead.
