Litter Box Issues & How to Solve Them

Updated: Oct 27, 2022

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So your kitty has decided to pee or poop outside the litter box...

First, it's important to remember that this is not a normal behavior for a cat. Their instinct is to dig and cover their poop/pee, and they want to use the litter box. So if they're no longer doing this, it tells you there's an issue (and I don't mean your now urine-smelling laundry). Pay attention to where they're going now. They may be telling you something about their preferences.

Please note: most of these issues (aside from the medical section) apply to adult cats who should have mastered the litter box by now. If you have a kitten, please refer to the info on what to expect when bringing home a new kitten.

Medical

The first thing you want to check for is a medical issue. Cats are prone to both UTI's and kidney issues, and peeing outside the litter box can be a symptom. Male cats, especially, can have urinary tract issues, usually the result of urinary crystals or stones. For males, this ailment is both extremely dangerous and potentially deadly. If you've noticed your cat is peeing outside the litter box, this is one of the first signs of a UTI, and the cat should be taken to see a vet.

Cats who have been declawed also often have litter box issues, and this is because they are in pain. Declawing leads to many painful medical issues in their feet and joints, which can make standing in litter itself painful. They will eventually associate the litter box with pain. Talk to your vet about what you can do to help alleviate the pain and look into litter that is finer or softer (such as Sustainably Yours or something similar). Try putting litter in only half of the box, so one side is the smooth surface of the box.

Cleaning/Scooping

Once you've ruled out medical issues, you can move to environment. The next most common problem is the litter box is not cleaned often enough. Cats, just like people, don't want to go into a smelly, gross bathroom. Litter boxes should be scooped at least once a day, and some cats even prefer 2x a day. This is often why you see cats going in bath tubs. The pee goes away immediately, so the space is always clean. If you prefer, you can look into automatic litter boxes, which scoop themselves. In addition to daily scooping, the box itself should be entirely emptied and cleaned regularly. I wash mine every 1-2 months, but you can find a schedule that works for you and your cat(s).

Location Location Location

A lot of families hide the litter box away in a small room or in the basement, which is understandable, but may not be ideal for the cat. Small rooms can become smelly quickly, and closets and basements can feel unsafe and hard-to-find or get to for the kitty. Litter boxes should be in areas that are easy to find, get to, and feel safe for your cat, and ideally, there should be at least one box on every level in the house, especially if you have a senior kitty or have recently moved. Add a litter box to the place the kitty is having accidents, as this may be where it feels safest. If that place is on the bed or in the laundry, add the box to the same room.

Changes in the Environment

Did you recently move? Add a new pet to the home? Have you been away from home for a while? All of these situations can be very stressful to cats. Cats notoriously do not like change. First, again, because stress can cause UTIs in cats, be sure to have kitty checked by a vet.

If you have a new pet, be sure to do a proper, slow introduction. If it's a cat, there is a proven technique that should be used. Quick, sudden intros of adult cats is never recommended and almost never works out longterm. If it's a dog, the cat needs to be slowly introduced in a safe manner and should have access to higher places and it's own room where it can easily and quickly escape the dog. Litter boxes should be in areas away from the new pet. If you've recently moved or just brought the cat home, the cat needs to be kept in one room until it feels safe (not hiding) and is using the litter box well. It can then slowly, over time, be introduced to the rest of the home.

Multiple Cats

Do you have more than one cat? If so, then all the issues mentioned so far may be affecting your kitty. The recommended number of litter boxes is 1 per cat plus one more, because cats like clean bathrooms and some don't want to share.

If your cats are the kind that don't get along great, or simply tolerate each other, you may have one stalking the other while it goes to the bathroom. If one cat runs to wait near the litter box when it hears the other go in and pounces on it when it comes out, this is a sign of bullying, and your cat will begin to feel unsafe in the litter box. In this case especially, the litter box should be out in the open and not one of those enclosed/covered litter boxes so the cat can see clearly all around them and feel safer. The cat who is pouncing needs more stimulation throughout the day (try play sessions with a wand toy and slow feeders) to prevent it from bullying the other cat. You may also want to buy calming spray or plugins.

You may also be experiencing territorial marking, in which case, you want to continue to work on the relationship between the cats. You may need to work with your vet or a cat behaviorist, but this is a good place to start: The Do's and Dont's of Introducing Cats. If any of the cats are not fixed, you need to start there, as hormones can lead to marking. Schedule an appointment with your vet, or find a low cost vet clinic in Colorado.

Litter

If the box is cleaned often, and you're still having issues, it might be the type of litter you're using. Cats tend not to like strong smells, so if your litter is one of those smelly ones, that might be the culprit. You can also test out different kinds of litter (there are tons - from pellets to clay to fine particles; clumping and non clumping). Get multiple kinds and use disposable litter boxes to see if there's a preference. You may also be putting in too little or too much. 2-3 inches is ideal for most cats, but if your cat has chosen a smooth surface to potty on, they may want much less. If your cat was recently living outdoors, try adding some garden soil to the litter, since they're used to going in dirt, or try the Cat Attract litter product.

Cleaning up Accidents

Along with addressing the issues above, you also need to address the area the kitty has chosen as its potty. So the kitty doesn't begin to learn that the accident spot is the new potty, you must clean the spot immediately and thoroughly. Do not leave laundry on the floor. Close the door to the room or add a litter box to that room. Steam clean the carpet (listed under foster supplies in my recommended products), and use Rescue or an enzyme cleaner to get rid of smells. You can use citrus products or actual citrus to deter them from using the same area.