Your cat may poop outside the litter box for a number of reasons, including health problems, stress, the litter box stinks, the litter box is placed in the wrong place, the family changes, or there are new family members. If this behavior persists for a long time, it is best to take your cat to the veterinarian so that they can determine if your cat has a health problem or if a behavioral problem needs to be addressed.

Changes in the home, such as a new pet or baby, moving to a new place, or a sudden change in family life, can also cause cats to refuse to use the litter box and instead express their stress by pooping on the litter box. Ground.

Most of the time, litter box problems are caused by changes in your cat’s daily routine or litter box problems. However, if your home-trained cat suddenly stops using the box, your first step is to take your cat to the veterinarian to rule out any health issues.

Health Problems

Sometimes, if your cat has diarrhea or constipation, the urge to go to the toilet can be sudden and overwhelming, and they may not reach the litter box in time. However, as long as your cat has no underlying health problems, this condition should be temporary.

Older cats with arthritis may feel pain and have difficulty crawling into the box, so they may urinate on the floor next to them. Your veterinarian should be able to provide you with solutions on how to adapt to aging kittens.

If your veterinarian is sure that your cat is healthy, she may continue to explore if your cat has behavioral problems.

Stinky Litter Box

It’s common for a cat to turn its nose up if the litter box doesn’t meet the cat’s strict standards for cleanliness and smell. If it’s not raw, even a cat that has been trained on litter for years may reject the box and choose another area in favor of another area (usually the one that will catch your attention).

If you change the type of litter you use, your cat may not like its texture or new smell and will avoid the litter box.

The Box Is in the Wrong Position

Is the location of the litter box problematic for your cat?If it’s near a door or a place in the house where there is a lot of traffic or where the cat can’t easily reach, consider removing it. Just like humans, cats also need privacy when they have to leave. However, if your cat has dementia, moving the litter box is not recommended as it can cause more confusion.

Family Changes

If another cat, animal, or even a new baby is introduced into the home, or someone moves in, out, or away, your cat may just be marking their territory. This should be temporary until the cat gets used to the new situation. Be aware, however, that any change in your cat’s daily routine or environment can cause stress, which can lead to abnormal behavior.

Recently Adopted Kitten

It can take weeks or months for recently adopted cats to fully adjust and feel comfortable enough to show their individuality. Maybe your cat feels a little uncertain at first and is willing to share a litter box, but then changes his mind. Make sure your new cat knows where their litter box is and has easy access.

Pressure

Just like humans, cats can also feel stressed when their normal environment and daily routine are disrupted. If you have recently moved, construction is going on outside the house, or your cat’s daily space has been disrupted in any way, they may feel some stress and may engage in some behaviors that are unusual for them, such as pooping outside the litter box.

How to Stop Your Cat from Pooping Outside the Litter Box

Clean the Box

First and foremost, scoop clumps out of the bin every day and do frequent deep cleanings. This means throwing away the old cat litter, scrubbing the empty box with mild dish soap and warm water, rinsing it with clean water, allowing it to air dry, and then pouring in fresh, clean, odorless cat litter (sometimes scented cat litter is not appealing to fussy cats). Whenever you handle your cat’s litter box, be sure to use rubber gloves and a mask to protect yourself from tiny bugs and litter dust.

Focus on Location

If you find that your cat prefers to use a particular location (e.g. a bathroom mat), try to block access to the room by setting up a baby door or closing/locking the door whenever possible. At the same time, encourage your pet to use the litter box as intended, placing the litter box in a quiet, private, and easily accessible area away from food and water bowls.

Add Another Bin

If you’re adding a second cat, consider installing an additional litter box instead of trying to have two cats share the same litter box. The optimal number of litter boxes is one per cat, plus one. This means that if you have two cats, you should provide three litter boxes. Please note that these boxes need to be located in completely different places. Otherwise, one cat may try to “guard” and have all the toilets and prevent another cat from approaching.

Set up Barriers

If your cat frequents a particular area and you can’t stop them from entering, try placing aluminum foil or spraying the area with a deterrent to cat safety. The goal is to make the cat dislike the inappropriate area as much as possible.

Recreate the Crime Scene

Take a look at the surface your cat likes to defecate and try to replicate that surface in the litter box. For example, if your kitten likes tiles, leave the bottom of the litter box bare. If they are aiming at paper, line the bottom of the box with paper, and if there is carpet, install the remaining carpet in the box.

Clean up Previous Accidents

If despite your best efforts, your cat is pooping outside the litter box for some reason, clean the area thoroughly with an enzyme cleaner so your cat doesn’t smell and thinks it’s okay to go there again.

When to Call the Veterinarian

If your cat has had an accident and the next day they are back to using the litter box as normal, there is no need to worry. However, if your cat continues to poop outside the litter box for several days on end, then it’s time to see a veterinarian to make sure your cat doesn’t have any underlying health issues.