FleaFree Feline

Why is my cat pooping outside the litter box? Cats poop in the house for several reasons, including stress, health problems, and litter box concerns. If your cat is suddenly pooping outside the box, or if the behavior continues, it's best to take your cat to the veterinarian so they can determine if your cat has a health or behavioral issue that needs to be addressed.

To get to the bottom of this behavior, you'll need to figure out what is causing it. Here are some common reasons your cat is pooping outside the litter box and how you can stop it.

Medical Conditions

Several medical conditions can cause cats to poop outside the litter box:

Gastrointestinal Issues: If your cat has diarrhea or constipation, the urge to go may be sudden and overwhelming, and they may not make it to the litter box in time. This situation should be temporary, however, provided your kitty has no underlying health conditions. Cats with chronic GI problems may continue the behavior until their illness is well-controlled.

Old Age: Older cats with arthritis might have pain and difficulty in climbing into the box, so they might relieve themselves on the floor next to it instead. Cats with dementia may forget their litter training or have trouble navigating the home. Your vet should be able to give you solutions to help your aging kitty.

Pain or Injury: A cat of any age may experience pain from an illness or injury and have trouble getting in and out of the litter box.

If your house-trained cat suddenly starts pooping outside the litter box, your first step is to take your kitty to the veterinarian to rule out any health issues.

Litter Box Issues

Litter box problems are common in cats. Many cats will turn up their noses at a litter box if it doesn't meet their standards. Even cats that have been litter-trained for years may reject the box in favor of another area (usually one that will get your attention). There are several litter box factors to consider:

• Location: The location of the litter box may be a problem for your cat. If it's near a door or in a part of the house that gets a lot of traffic or that the cat can't easily get to, consider moving it. However, moving the litter box isn't recommended if your cat has dementia, as it may create more confusion.
• Box Type: The style of the litter box may be undesirable to your cat. Like humans, cats want privacy when they have to go, but many cats feel cramped in covered boxes. They also need the box to be large enough to turn around comfortably.
• Litter: Some cats will reject the type of litter in the box. Many cats prefer unscented, clumping litter that feels soft on their paws. If you change the type of litter you use, your cat might not like the texture or new scent and will avoid the litter box until you change it back.
• Cleanliness: Many cats will avoid a dirty or stinky litter box. Cats have a much better sense of smell than us, so if you can smell the box, it's probably offensive to them.
  

Behavioral Concerns

Cats may avoid the litter box for behavioral reasons, most often related to stress. Any change to a cat's routine or environment can cause stress, which may result in out-of-the-ordinary behavior. But despite common assumptions, cats don't poop in the house just because they are mad at you.

If your vet determines that your cat is physically healthy, it's time to explore whether your cat has a behavioral issue.

Household Changes

Perhaps another cat, animal, or a new baby has been introduced to the household. Or, maybe a person has moved in or out. These changes may cause stress that can lead to inappropriate pooping. Some cats mark their territory as a response, but they usually do it by peeing, not pooping.

This behavior should be temporary until you have taken time to work with the cat and gradually introduce them to the changes. Most cats will eventually get used to the new situation with some help from you.

New Surroundings

A cat that's been recently adopted may take a few weeks or months to fully adjust and feel comfortable enough to reveal their personality. It may be that your new cat was feeling a bit uncertain at first and was willing to share the litter box but later changed their mind. Make sure your new cat knows where their litter boxes are kept and that they have easy access to them.

Other Stressors

If you've recently moved, there's construction happening outside your house, or your cat's usual space has been disrupted in any way, they will probably experience some stress and can act in ways that are unusual for them, such as pooping outside their litter box.

How to Stop Your Cat From Pooping Outside the Litter Box

There are several steps you can take to stop your cat from pooping outside the litter box. Just make sure your veterinarian has ruled out health problems before you make these changes:

Clean the Litter Box

First and foremost, clean and maintain the litter box. Scoop clumps from the litter box at least once daily and deep clean it frequently (before it smells foul to you). For deep cleaning, discard the old litter, scrub the empty box with mild dish soap and warm water, and rinse it with clean water. After letting it air-dry, pour in a fresh supply of clean litter.

When you handle your kitty's litter box, use rubber gloves and a face mask to protect yourself from microscopic bugs and litter dust.

Change Litter Material

Consider changing to a new type of cat litter. Many cats prefer soft, unscented clumping litter (scented litter is unappealing to some cats). If the litter box is wet or stinky, they might opt to poop elsewhere. You may need to try a few different types of litter to figure out your cat's preferences.

Focus on Location

If you find that your cat is drawn to pooping in a particular spot, such as on a bath mat, try to block access to the room by setting up a baby gate or closing/locking the door whenever possible. At the same time, encourage your pet to use their litter box as intended by locating the box well away from their food and water bowls in a quiet, private area that's easy to get to.

Add Another Litter Box

The optimal number of litter boxes is one for each cat plus one more. If you've added a second cat, consider installing a third litter box rather than trying to make the cats share two boxes. Note that the boxes need to be in totally different places. Otherwise, one cat may attempt to "guard" and own all the toilets and keep the other cat away.

Thoroughly Clean Up Previous Accidents

Anytime your cat poops (or pees) outside the litter box, it's important to thoroughly clean the area with an enzymatic cleaner. Otherwise, your kitty may be attracted to the scent and think it's okay to go there again.

Get Creative

If there's a particular area where your cat has been going frequently and you can't block their access, spray the area with a kitty-safe deterrent or lay down some aluminum foil (some cats avoid this material). The goal is to make the inappropriate area as undesirable to the cat as possible.

Keep It Positive

Reward your cat for pooping in the litter box with a favorite treat or toy, but never punish them for accidents. Punishment, such a yelling or hitting, is more likely to cause fear and increase litter box avoidance.

When to Call the Vet

If your cat has one accident and then the next day they are back to using the litter box as normal, it shouldn't be anything to worry about. However, if your cat continues to poop outside the litter box for multiple days in a row, it's time to contact your veterinarian to make sure your cat doesn't have any underlying health conditions.

If your cat is physically healthy but still having accidents despite your best efforts, ask your vet to recommend a credentialed animal behaviorist. They can work with you to create a behavior modification plan to help your cat.