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Litter box aversion is every cat parent’s worst nightmare. When your cat isn’t using the litter box, it can be incredibly frustrating and difficult to correct the problem. But it may be reassuring to know that you aren’t alone. According to the ASPCA, about 10% of cats develop elimination problems. The longer the issue continues, the more difficult it can be to correct. Once your cat starts going in a different spot, they may develop a preference for that spot and continue to eliminate in that area.
Sadly, far too often cat owners throw in the towel. In fact, The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) says that house-soiling is one of the most common reasons for cats to be given up or abandoned. But contrary to popular belief, cats do not go outside the litter box out of spite. Instead, they do it because there is a problem that needs to be fixed. But the good news is that once you are able to identify the problem, you can take the appropriate steps to fix it.
So with some “detective work,” time, and patience, you should be able to solve this issue with your feline friend. As always, this video is not medical advice. You should always consult your veterinarian with any pet-related problems. This information is simply meant to help you get a jump-start on your “detective work” before that vet appointment. Now, here are seven possible reasons why your cat may go outside the litter box.
7 Possible Reasons For Litter Box Aversion
1. The Litter Box Isn’t Thoroughly Cleaned
A cat’s natural instinct is to go outside. This means that, at any given moment, they want to be able to find a clean, dry spot to be able to relieve themselves. When they are trained to use a litter box, it is obvious that there is only one spot for them to go. However, they still want it to be clean and dry. And this is totally understandable! Wouldn’t you feel skeeved out if you had to use a gross bathroom?
With that said, we can’t stress enough how incredibly important it is to keep each litter box clean. In fact, you should be scooping any clumps out of the litter box at least once a day. Doing so will maintain its cleanliness and create an optimal environment for your cat to go. So, if your cat is going outside of the litter box, they might be trying to let you know that it isn’t clean enough. Try increasing the frequency in which you clean out the litter box to see if this helps. Also, remember that scooping is only one part of litter box maintenance. You also need to regularly change out the litter and wash the box with dish soap and warm water to prevent bacteria build-up.
As a side note, your cat may not notice a positive change unless you show them. That’s why it’s important to encourage your cat by gently putting them in the litter box. When they do use the box, practice positive reinforcement by rewarding them immediately and consistently with their favorite treat. Most importantly, NEVER yell or discipline your cat for going outside the box. Cats do not understand the concept of punishment, making it completely ineffective.
2. There Aren’t Enough Litter Boxes
Far too often, people with several cats think that no more than one or two litter boxes are needed. But even if you somehow manage to keep a single litter box spotless, cats are still territorial creatures. PetMD explains that since cats are territorial, each cat will often claim a “preferred” litter box. Since multiple cats can’t all claim the same box as theirs, this can result in confrontation among your cats. Or at the very least, it can cause overcrowding.
The “rule of thumb” that veterinarians recommend is one litter box per cat, plus an extra box. So for example, if you have two cats, there should be three litter boxes. If you have three cats, there should be four litter boxes (and so on). This standard not only gives each feline their own territory, but it also makes finding a “clean spot” much more likely.
3. The Litter Box Isn’t Easily Accessible
When we have to go, we are always relieved when there is a bathroom nearby and easily accessible. The same goes for your cat! They should be able to easily get to the litter box, no matter where they are in your home. If they aren’t able to get to the litter box without issue, they may resort to going in other areas. Take a walkthrough of your home, keeping in mind the places that your cat enjoys hanging out. Is your litter box easy to get to from those spots? Might your cat have trouble? If so, try moving the litter box or eliminating the obstacles that your cat is facing to get there.
Some of the places where you might put a litter box that aren’t as accessible are inside a cabinet or piece of furniture, under a table, or elevated in an area of your home. It’s also possible that you’re putting the litter box somewhere that your cat sees as undesirable, like next to a noisy dryer. Finally, remember that as cats get older, they might have a harder time getting around. For example, maybe your senior cat needs steps to get in and out of the box.
4. Your Cat is Uncomfortable With The Litter Box Design
There are several reasons why your cat may be uncomfortable with the design of the litter box. First of all, the litter box needs to be the proper size to accommodate your cat. A good rule of thumb is that the litter box should be as long as your cat, and as wide as your cat is long. This way, they are able to turn around comfortably within the box. If they cannot do so, they may not like using the litter box.
It is also popular to use litter boxes that have a hood or a lid to provide a bit more discretion. But the truth is that cats don’t usually care about privacy. In fact, there are some cats who prefer to have an open-air litter box — and some who simply refuse to go inside an enclosed litter box. It’s important to understand that cats always want to feel safe, and in their minds, being safe means having multiple “escape routes.” Escape routes are more obvious to a cat when there’s no lid. If you do have an enclosed litter box, ditch the lid or replace it with an inexpensive one without a lid to see if that solves the problem.
The last issue with the litter box design could be its depth. This could be either the actual box or the amount of litter you are putting inside. Cats prefer only about two inches of litter in the box so that they can comfortably walk through the litter without sinking. If your box is particularly deep or you find yourself adding more litter than about two inches over the bottom, try to make it more shallow.
5. Your Cat Has an Aversion to The Litter Type
Some felines can be very particular about the type of litter they prefer to use. If you’ve recently switched to a different type of litter, your cat may not enjoy using that type. Changing up your cat’s litter cold turkey could confuse your cat. The change in consistency and smell is not something they may understand, and they might be a bit frustrated with the change. In this case, try using your old litter again and see if this makes a difference.
If so, have no fear. You can still switch the type of litter that your cat uses, but it may take a bit more time. Ideally, you should slowly transition to the new litter by first using 75% old litter and 25% new litter. Every few weeks, you can increase the amount of new litter you use and decrease the amount of the old litter until you’ve successfully transitioned completely. However, know that you may need to be patient, especially if your cat has a sensitivity to their litter.
6. Your Cat Has a Health Problem
If your feline friend is going outside the box, it could be a sign of an undiagnosed medical condition. As a cat parent, you may feel confident in your ability to tell if your cat is feeling unwell. Despite your thorough observations, cats are notorious for hiding pain. That’s why it takes a veterinarian to determine if something is wrong.
One of the most common medical issues that your cat could be experiencing is a urinary tract infection. If that’s the case, urinating may be painful for them. Cats with UTIs also have the urge to “go” frequently. Unfortunately, this often results in not making it to the litter box in time.
They could also be suffering from feline interstitial cystitis or a bladder stone, both of which will cause sensitivity to elimination. These conditions can also cause them to not make it to the litter box in time, forcing them to go elsewhere. These are just a handful of numerous possibilities, which is why it’s incredibly important to have your cat checked out by the vet as soon as possible.
7. Your Cat is Feeling Anxious
Cats can often become anxious or stressed by events that their owner would not necessarily view as traumatic. If you’ve recently moved, added new animals or family members, or changed your daily routine in any way, this can often affect your cat negatively. When they are feeling stressed or anxious, they may be trying to stay in a place where they feel most comfortable and at ease — which could result in litter box aversion. This type of issue may resolve itself with time. However, you can try moving your litter box into a space where your cat feels most comfortable so that they can go to the correct spot without any added stress.
Another reason your cat may be anxious about the litter box is that they’ve formed a negative association with it. If they were recently experiencing health issues that caused them pain while going, they may still be associating that pain with the physical litter box. Try to be patient with your cat as they heal from their trauma. Again, try to make using the litter box a comfortable experience for them. Encourage them when they go, and reward them for using the litter box. You might consider getting a new litter box altogether to create a new environment for your cat without that negative association.
Conclusion
If your cat is going outside the box, it’s easy to think they are simply defying house rules, but that is rarely the case. As you’ve probably gathered by now, litter box aversion happens when there is a problem that is out of your cat’s control. We hope this list helps you narrow down what that problem may be. Just remember to be patient and listen closely to the advice of your veterinarian.
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Disclaimer: The Purring Journal is not in the medical field. This post is made for entertainment purposes only. Use the information presented in this article at your own risk. Always seek medical advice from licensed veterinarians.
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