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Cat Not Using Litter Box:
There are a number of reasons why your cat may be not using the litter box and you may need to do some sleuthing to find out how to fix this problem. Is he peeing outside the litter box – or pooing outside the litterbox – or both?
Pooping outside litter box is usually because of a physical problem whereas peeing outside the litter box is more often because of some sort of emotional or anxiety related issue.
Cat Peeing Outside Litter Box
After you have checked out that there are no physical problems (see my article on cat pooping outside litter box) follow the steps below sequentially.
Add a second litter box
… if you don’t already have one. Some cats certainly prefer to urinated in one box and pass their stools in another. In some litter box problems this will eliminate the problem immediately.
Look at the litter box itself
Some cats prefer to be secluded and an enclosed litter box will be best for them. Whereas other cats will find it too scary to be shut in. Is the litter box roomy enough? Watch your cats body language when in the box and try and understand her particular needs.
Is the litter box clean?
Some cats refuse point blank to use a soiled litter box. If this is your cat you must keep the litter tray immaculately clean and remove stools as soon as they appear.
Where is the litter box?
Is it miles away in the far end of the house and does you cat like to be constantly around you? If so, then you may need to move the litter box to a more trafficked area so the cat does not feel she is going of alone to China to use the litter tray. And of course, there is the opposite – i.e. the cat that WANTS to go away to China and be totally secluded and alone when doing her business. Again, this depends on the temperament of the individual cat.
Try different cat litters
You cat simply may not like the feel of the litter, so try different types to see if any make a difference. For example, if you are using a hard, pellet style cat litter – try a softer one such as the paper or sand type litters. Even go outside and dig up some fresh earth to use, and give that a try. The natural, earthy smell may help you cat be more inclined to use it.
Feliway Spray:
If you are unable to find a way to relieve your cat’s anxiety, then I would suggest that you look into getting a Feliway Spray diffuser. This is a product that has been specially developed to help cats cope with stress. It emits a synthetic copy of the natural cat pheromone, which felines use to mark their territory, and means it is safe and secure for them.
The cheapest place to buy Feliway is usually here: Feliway Plug-In Diffuser. You can also read my Feliway Spray Reviews page for more information on this product.
… more to come soon …
Good tips here. I love your cat site and there is so much helpful information. I have shared it on facebook too.
This will be a fantastic blog, will you be interested in doing an interview regarding cats for my own kitty website? If so e-mail me!
Hi, I have tried everything in this post and I’m still having issues. We have a 3 year old (predominately indoor) tabby and for over 7 months now, has been soiling outside of his litter tray.
His tray is located in our laundry room and always has been.
Some background: We adopted him as a rescue kitten in 2016 and he was litter trained from the get go. He’s been on the Science Hills Diet Urinary Care Stress biscuits since we got him and we’ve not really had problems since then until October 2018. Since then he’s been pooing on the laundry floor everytime but still pees in his tray. With the exception of about 4 times, where he peed on the laundry floor, in a laundry tub and also in our ensuite. His stools are generally always pretty firm and healthy. Sometimes he’s also pood in the bathtub if the bathroom door is open.
Moving the litter tray to another area is a non negotiable for me as it would mean being in a main living area and far too attractive to my 18 month old (who is very good with him).
He doesn’t have a UTI and we’ve tried different litter, two litter trays, slightly different positions, pee away sprays, orange oil, cleaning out and replacing the entire tray daily, disciplining when caught in the act, rewarding when using his tray, extra pats/cuddles etc.
I’m at my wits end! We love him and want to keep him but this is not something I am willing to put up with long term. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Hi I’m Michelle and I have a question about my cat Sammy he’s been a indoor kitty for years and used his box regularly. But now he’s pooping all around the house in my bathroom and on the carpet. He eats good but his poop is a tan color not running but soft. Not sure what’s wrong . Can you help ? 🙂
Hi,
I’m after some despite help.
I have an 8 year old purebred ragdoll, I’ve had her since she was a kitten. And she was sold to me litter trained however the last 8 years I have been putting up with her peeing everywhere but the litter box. I have tried absolutely everything you can think of, different litters, anxiety sprays, odor eliminate solution, extra little box, she has no medical issues.
I clean her litter everyday, when I’m home during the day she will use her little box, (majority of the time) she knows she is being naughty I have caught her peeing of the floor and she runs and hides after.
It’s mostly at night, she pees on the floor.
I am 5 months pregnant and I’m at my Wit’s end, I can’t deal with the constant pee everywhere and my house smells like a giant litter box.
Any help would be muchly appreciate 🙏
My cat is 7yrs old and this has been going on the whole time I’ve had her. So, she will do a No2 in the litter tray but not a No1. She will wee in the living room or my bedroom and just lately it’s my sock drawer! I think I have tried everything imaginable and now I’m totally at my wits end! I don’t know what else to try, everything is totally ruined! Please help!