One of the most frustrating things for cat parents is when cats fail to use the litter box. However, if your cat is doing their business outside the litter box, they are doing it for a reason. As the pet parent, it’s up to you to figure out why and address it. Once you find out the why, things can get back to normal, and your cat will use their litter box again.

Common Reasons Cats Stop Using the Litter Box

A cat must feel safe and secure to eliminate naturally. If your cat has started soiling outside the litter box, they are trying to communicate that something is wrong. They may have a medical, behavioral, or litter box setup problem.

It doesn’t mean your cat is misbehaving or being bad. They are not even mad at you. That would be way beyond their mental capacity to figure that all out! In fact, they are asking for help.

Medical Reasons Cats Won’t Use a Litter Box

Cats are shrewd, and they are really good at hiding an injury or illness. If they miss the litter box, there is a good chance that something medical is happening. A trip to the vet can help you learn what is going on.

Medical issues like lower urinary tract disease, urinary crystals, and constipation are common with cats. If they are experiencing any pain or discomfort, it can cause them to go outside their box. Any discomfort at all, including spinal or joint pain, paw pad pain, or ear infections, an be a factor.

Your cat may even begin to associate pain with the litter box. Once they associate pain and the litter box, they may avoid it even after any medical problems are resolved.

Work closely with your vet first to make sure any medical issues are resolved. Make sure to take note of any other changes to your cat’s behavior. If you notice a change in eating and drinking habits, energy levels, comfort when handling, and play levels, let your vet know.

Behavioral Reasons a Cat Won’t Use the Litter Box

Cats feel things just like humans. They may be afraid, stressed out, or anxious. If your cat feels more stressed than usual, they may try to tell you through litter box issues.

There are a lot of things that can trigger a behavioral response. Here are just a few of them:

·         Medical issues

·         Not liking a new pet

·         Not getting along with other pets

·         A new baby in the house

·         An outdoor cat they saw or smelled

·         Changes to the litter box setup

·         Moving or other big change to their normal environment

·         People in the home arguing

·         Something stressful or scary that happened

·         Changing brands or types of litter

·         Poorly shaped litter box

The best way to address the issue is to figure out what the trigger is. For instance, if your cat is not getting along with another pet, you can work on the relationship. If there is a cat outside that is causing stress, use humane methods to encourage them from visiting your yard.

There are also some other ways to reduce stress, such as:

·         Spending more quality time with your furry friend (including petting and grooming)

·         Providing mental and physical enrichment

·         Play with your cat using a wand toy to replicate hunting

·         Help them get more comfortable with things that tend to make them nervous

·         Increase resources available to your cat (food, water, hiding spots, climbing toys, scratchers, resting or sleeping spots, more litter boxes, or high hiding spots)

Your vet may be able to recommend or prescribe supplements or anxiety medications that can help your feline friend. Keep in mind that these problems may not be resolved on their own. Figuring out the trigger and addressing it and working to lower your cat’s stress levels are important.

Litter Box Setup Issues

We get it, the litter box isn’t a lot of fun. But for cats, litter box setup is everything. Your litter box setup needs to mee your cat’s natural and instinctual needs, otherwise, cats will look for an alternative that does.

What kinds of things should you consider when setting up a litter box?

·         Size of the litter box

·         Number of litter boxes available

·         Placement of litter boxes

·         Best litter

Finding the right combination for your cat can make a huge difference for your cat. It may mean they use the box or look for a place outside the box that is more comfortable.

What happens if you get medical treatment and make adjustments, but your cat is still going outside the box?

You can enlist the help of a certified feline training expert or feline behavior expert. They are used to dealing with these types of cases and have numerous tools they can use to help find the main issue, resolve it, and encourage your cat to use the litter box again.

About the Author: Fiona

Fiona is the current President and CEO of Pawer Lab. She makes sure everything is running purrfectly and oversees the day-to-day operations. When Fiona is not working, she enjoys chasing lasers, snacking on treats, or taking long naps in the sun.