For cats, a litter box problem can range from being an inconvenience to a call for help. For cat owners, discovering soiling outside the litter box can be frustrating, stressful, and difficult to understand. And for shelters, it can become something even more serious: a reason a beloved cat is surrendered.
Litter box issues and house soiling are among the behavioral challenges that can put the human-animal bond under strain to the point of it feeling unmanageable. When a family reaches the point of considering surrender, it is a clear sign that they need timely, practical support. At Cat Care Society (CCS), we focus on providing education and resources that empower families and cats to help prevent surrender from happening in the first place as well as set new adopters up for success. Sonia Holstrom, Foster and Behavior Supervisor for CCS, recommends, “By approaching these challenges with curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to identify the underlying cause, we can help cats feel safe and comfortable. In many cases, the right support can make all the difference in keeping cats in the homes they know and love.”
And the good news is that litter box problems are often solvable once the root cause is identified and addressed. However, finding the root issue isn’t always straightforward, especially if multiple factors are contributing to the problem. There are three key areas to investigate that impact a cat’s litter box behavior: health, living environment, and psychological factors or fears.
Throughout the investigative process, it’s important to refrain from labeling a cat as being bad or disobedient. They are just following their natural physiological response to a full bladder and the cat is choosing a location that meets its needs. If the litter box is not compatible due to its location or for another reason, it’s the responsibility of the human caregiver to figure out why.
Health Issues: The First Place to Look
When a cat that reliably used the litter box begins eliminating elsewhere, and there’s been no changes to their environment or social dynamics, a trip to the veterinarian should be one of the first steps to finding the underlying reason for the behavior change.
Pain and illness can cause changes in elimination behavior. Urinary disease, gastrointestinal problems, kidney disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, chronic pain, and other medical conditions may contribute to litter box issues. A cat can also develop a negative association with the litter box if it has experienced pain while using it.
Rather than interpret a sudden change as a behavioral problem, especially if your cat has been consistent with the litter box before, consider that your cat is actually communicating that something is physically wrong. Billie Reynolds, a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant and Trainer and regular public seminar facilitator for Cat Care Society, recommends observing your cat and taking notes in a journal so that you can answer some of the questions the veterinarian may ask to help rule out certain issues.
- Did the problem start suddenly?
- What have you tried so far to resolve the issue, e.g., moved the litter box to a quieter room, tried a different litter texture, etc.?
- Is the cat urinating more frequently or producing unusual amounts?
- Does the cat appear to strain or show discomfort?
- Have appetite, thirst, weight, mobility, or activity changed?
- Is the cat having trouble getting into the litter box?
- Is the cat older or showing other changes associated with aging?
- Is there a particular time of day it’s happening or after a certain event?
- Is it urine, feces, or both?
- Is the soiling happening near the litter box or somewhere else in the home?
Keep track of your cat’s behavior, solutions you have tried, and other notes using our printable Litter Box Observation Worksheet! Take the filled form to your veterinarian or share it with us if you adopted from CCS and need support.
Medical and behavioral issues can also occur together making it a more complex matter. Treating an underlying illness may resolve the problem, but sometimes the cat has also developed an environmental or emotional aversion to the litter box. Replacing it, moving it to a new location, or trying a new litter may help create a new association.
Has your cat entered its senior years?
Older cats tend to have more fussiness, i.e., they tend to have more specific preferences for litter type and litter box cleanliness. The litter box routine that worked when they were younger may need some adjusting for their new stage of life. For example, Reynolds recommends adjusting litter depth to just two inches for senior cats as it allows for more stable footing and ease of movement.
Living Environment: Make the Litter Box Easy to Use
Sometimes the solution begins with looking at the litter box from the cat’s perspective. Cats have individual preferences about where and how they eliminate. Location, cleanliness, box design, litter type, accessibility, and the presence of other animals can all affect litter box use.
A litter box may be located in a place that seems perfectly reasonable and convenient to a human but feels unsafe to a cat. A noisy laundry room, a high-traffic hallway, or a location where a dog or other animal can suddenly appear may make a cat reluctant to use the litter box.
The box itself can also be a factor. Some cats may dislike covered boxes, boxes that are too small, boxes that are difficult to enter as well as certain litter textures or scents. Older cats and cats with mobility limitations may need lower-sided boxes or facilities placed closer to their preferred areas.
In multi-cat households, social dynamics become particularly important. Cats don’t have to be visibly fighting for one cat to feel unsafe. A cat may avoid a litter box if another cat blocks access, watches the box, or creates tension in the surrounding area. Providing multiple litter boxes in separate, accessible locations can help reduce competition and give cats choices.
Psychological Factors and Fears
Cats are sensitive to changes in their surroundings, and emotional stress can influence litter box behavior.
Fear, anxiety, social tension, changes in routine, and conflict with other animals can all play a role in house soiling. In a study of more than 3,000 privately owned cats, it was found that fearful cats were more likely to experience house-soiling and litter box fussiness than nonfearful cats.
A cat may begin avoiding the litter box because it doesn’t feel safe there, not because it has forgotten how to use it.
Consider what may have changed in the household:
- Has a new person or pet arrived?
- Has another pet begun spending time near the litter box that could be causing intimidation or fear?
- Has the family moved or remodeled?
- Has there been construction or another major disruption?
- Has the household routine changed?
- Has the cat been punished for having accidents?
For a fearful cat, providing quiet hiding places, predictable routines, safe access to resources, and gradual introductions to new people or animals are essential to helping them feel safe and keep their litter box routines. Using therapeutic, interactive play strategies, including clicker training, can also help address anxiety in cats by helping them engage in their natural instincts and providing mental stimulation.
There is one response that should always be avoided: punishment.
Yelling, or otherwise punishing accidents can increase fearfulness and stress, potentially making the underlying problem worse.
Quick Tips for Adopters
If your new cat isn’t using the litter box, don’t give up and don’t punish. Try these steps:
- Schedule a veterinary checkup. Especially if the change is sudden or your cat seems uncomfortable.
- Keep boxes clean. Scoop regularly and clean the boxes appropriately.
- Try more than one box. In multi-cat homes, provide multiple boxes in different locations.
- Experiment with location. Choose quiet, accessible areas where your cat won’t feel trapped or threatened.
- Consider the box itself. Try different sizes, shapes, and entry heights to accommodate your cat’s preferences and mobility.
- Think about litter. Using a different type (texture, scent, etc.) than they got used to in the shelter may be contributing to the problem.
- Look for household stress. Other pets, people, construction, and other loud noises and interactions, especially near the litter box, can contribute to issues.
- Clean accidents thoroughly. Remove odors rather than simply covering them up. If a location retains an odor that signals “bathroom” to the cat, the behavior can become repeated.
- Ask for help early. Your veterinarian or a qualified behavior professional may be able to help identify the cause. If you adopted from CCS, reach out to us as we keep detailed notes on our cats when they’re in our care and may have some additional insight and guidance.
Don’t wait until the problem becomes a crisis. Reaching out for help early can protect both the cat and the relationship with the family.
Cleaning House Soiling Incidents
Cat urine can be difficult to adequately clean due to the uric acid crystals it contains. Standard household cleaners can wipe away the mess, but the uric acid crystals from the urine remain and can reactivate (especially around humidity) to release a strong ammonia smell. That smell is off-putting to humans, but it tells the cat that it’s an appropriate place to continue relieving themselves, even if it’s outside of the litter box.
An enzymatic cleaner is typically the best option to fully clean the area. Check out our other blog post on litter box management for additional guidance on cleaning house soiling incidents.
Closing
Litter box issues can be frustrating, but it’s essential to look beyond the behavior itself and consider what your cat may be communicating. Identifying the underlying cause is essential to finding a solution whether it be due to medical concerns, environmental factors, or psychological fears and stress (or a combination of factors)!
Most importantly, don’t wait until the problem becomes overwhelming. A veterinary checkup, a few changes at home, and early behavioral support can make a meaningful difference and help reduce stress for everyone. Remember to bring the filled out Litter Box Observation Worksheet to record your cat’s behaviors, current litter box setup, troubleshooting attempts, and other notes.
Check out our Cat Behavior and Litter Box Management blog post for additional information as well as insight from other experts, and visit our Resources & Info page for veterinary, behavioral, financial, and other pet-support resources. Additionally, Billie Reynolds teaches a free seminar on play at Cat Care Society every January and September as well as a clicker training seminar every October. Visit our Events page for more details.
