Why is my cat pottying outside the box?
Health issues:
It's possible the cause of sudden changes in your kitty's litter box habits may be due to medical problems, such as urinary tract infections, crystal formation in the urine or blockages, cystitis/inflammation, intestinal parasites, IBS, or other heath issues (including arthritis or mobility challenges) may also be the culprit. Any new or suspicious behavior on the part of your kitty should immediately be brought to the attention of your vet to help get to the bottom of this concern.
Stress:
Stress/anxiety can also cause cats to urinate outside of the box, this can often be their way of dealing with something that upsets them. Cats are creatures of habit and many react poorly to even the slightest change in their routine or environment - the addition of a new pet or a baby in the family, company or a gathering that makes her feel displaced, a caregiver’s abrupt absence, a strange cat in the backyard, a change in food or routine, or other environmental factors people simply don’t notice. Because cats can't tell us what's wrong in words, going outside the box is often their non-verbal way of telling us, “I’m feeling stressed.” Especially if the kitty is new to your home, it’s possible she had a rough transition (emotionally) and everything being new and different may have confused and stressed her and she is having trouble feeling at home.
Fussy with litter/box:
It may be something more simple like the kitty doesn't like the litter or box you have provided. The box may be too small, too confining or in an area that she does not feel comfortable going to. She may not be used to the litter or may not like the kind of litter in the box. If there are multiple cats or other pets in the house, she may be getting cornered or feels "trapped" in the box so is avoiding it out of fear. If the kitty is new to your home, she may need time to get used to the litter box/litter or may not have experience using a litter box and will need some time and patience to learn that the litter box is where to go.
Environmental triggers:
The kitty may be smelling old urine from another pet and is taking that as a signal that it is OK to potty there or is trying to cover that scent with their own (marking their territory). This can be a common problem (especially with carpeting or fabric surfaces like furniture) in homes that have had other pets. Cat urine is extremely potent, and after repeated accidents can seep deep into your carpets (reaching the sub-flooring if heavily saturated), upholstery or bedding, even penetrating hardwood floors. This can be a trigger for that pet or another to potty in that same spot.
Declawed cats:
Sadly a lot of kitties that have been declawed will stop using the litter box. The surgery can cause great pain (sometimes even life-long crippling effects). This pain is increased when they have to stand and dig in litter with sensitive paws. They begin to associate the litter box with that pain which results in them avoiding the box altogether. This is just one reason you should never declaw a cat.
What can I do to fix this problem?
Make an appointment with your vet:
The best thing to do initially is have your kitty examined by a vet to rule out health issues. If there is a medical reason for the behavior, your vet can get your kitty the right care and medication to help make her well and get her back to her usual litter box habits.
Determine the cause of stress:
If the vet feels your kitty is healthy and the cause of the litter box issues are behavioral (stress related), getting to the root of what is causing your kitty stress is going to make all the difference. If you have a new pet, you may need to separate them and try a slow introduction so allow plenty of time for the kitty to get used to the new furry friend. And especially if the kitty is new to your home, she may need time to get acclimated and comfortable in her new home. View our page on Introducing a New Cat to Your Home for some tips to help make introducing a new pet go smoother for all. If you have made other changes in the home, it might be best to take a "slowly but surely" approach to rearranging or replacing furniture, especially if the kitty has a favorite chair or napping place, be sure she gets used to the new items before removing the old.
Create a stress-free area for your kitty:
If you are not sure what has caused your kitty to be stressed, you might try working on just reducing her stress in general. Start out by getting some calming spray or a calming diffuser to help offer a more tranquil atmosphere for her. It may also be helpful to give the kitty her own space (a cozy room that you can put her in when you are not home or not able to keep an eye on her). Keep her litter box, food/water, toys and bed in there so she has easy access to them. Ideally choose a room that is easy to clean (no carpeting is best) with easy to clean furniture if any (put a mattress protector and blanket over chairs, a couch or bed if there is one in there just in case, or use outdoor furniture that is easy to wipe down). But provide her with plenty of things to keep her engaged and active like a cat tree, interactive toys, a TV that you can leave on for her while you are not there (YouTube has some great “cat channels” that play videos of birds and squirrels). Put a bird or squirrel feeder outside the window so she can watch critters play outside. Be sure to spend time with her each day, playing with toys, sitting and petting her or just sharing some lap time so she still received the love/attention she needs to feel at home. Slowly give her supervised time out of the room so she can begin to reintegrate into the full household again while always giving her access to her room/comfort zone.
Anti-Anxiety medication or supplements:
If your kitty got a clean bill of health from the vet, and the above suggestions don't seem to help, you can talk to your vet about the possibility of anti-anxiety medication to help with the behavior issues. Your vet may recommend trying a medication like Fluoxetine, maybe even feline CBD oil, or trying calming care supplements to see if these options can help ease the stress/anxiety your kitty is feeling that is causing the litter box issues.
Make sure the litter boxes and litter are right for your kitty:
You might also try providing multiple litter boxes (especially if you have more than one kitty) or getting a larger, open litter box to make sure she has plenty of room to do her business without feeling like she is trapped in an enclosed box. Be sure to clean the litter box frequently (daily or twice daily is recommended) and replace used litter with fresh litter often to give your kitty a clean box to use. Use litter box attractant to help direct her to the box (Fresh Step has an additive you can sprinkle in the box that works very well, and there is also a “training litter” for kittens that has attractants in the litter). If you recently switched litters, your kitty may not like the new litter right away (or at all!). Some kitties do not like certain texture or scented litters, so sticking with a litter your kitty approves of is best. If you do want to try a new litter, it's always best to slowly transition to a new litter by mixing a little bit of the new litter to the old kind of litter, adding just a little more of the new and a little less of the old each day until the mix is at least 50% of the new litter (and the kitty is using it fine) before changing to the new litter exclusively. This may take up to 2 weeks to fully and successfully transition a kitty to a new kind of litter. If you recently got a new box or moved the location of the litter box, spend some time showing the kitty the new box, make sure she knows the location and is comfortable with the new location (a quiet, low traffic area with easy access is best). Using the litter box attractant in a new box can also help reassure your kitty that it is an appropriate place to potty. You may also need to adjust the litter box and litter to accommodate kitties that are getting older, may have trouble seeing, difficulty climbing in and out of the litter box or need more assistance to use the box properly. Consider getting a box that is wider with lower sides for kitties that may be struggling with mobility. Try putting puppy pads in the bottom with less litter so they have better traction and don't sink into the litter which may cause them pain or confuse them.
Clean as prevention for future accidents:
When your kitty has an accident outside of the box, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE AREA in which the accident occurred, especially if your kitty urinated on carpeting or upholstery. Making sure the area is clean and deodorized may help prevent future occurrences. Using enzyme cleaners that are specifically formulated for pet accidents tend to work best because they break down the odor-causing phenomes in your cat’s urine and help to eliminate the smell altogether. You may even consider using a professional cleaner to come in and thoroughly clean the carpet or furniture with a pet odor cleaning formula. Other options for "DIY" cleaning include using baking soda and/or a diluted vinegar solution to help remove the stain and odor.
Special consideration for declawed kitties:
Because declawing causes pain, talk to your vet about providing pain medication for your kitty to help ease the pain and make using the litter box less distressing. If your kitty has been declawed for a while and litter box issues are just now surfacing, you may need further evaluation to determine if there are additional issues at play due to "botched" declawing procedures that could be causing even greater issues all around. Using a litter that is extremely soft (and preferably natural) is very important. Avoid litter that is coarse. Pellet, granulated or "pebble-like" litter can increase pain for declawed cats, so you want to select a litter that will be the most gentle/comfortable for your cat's paws.
Be patient:
In the end, our greatest recommendation is to be patient, be understanding and be diligent with your kitty's needs. There is a reason your kitty is not using the litter box appropriately. It may take some time and money to get to the bottom of the issue, but as a member of your family, your kitty needs and deserves your help to her get back on track.
Health issues:
It's possible the cause of sudden changes in your kitty's litter box habits may be due to medical problems, such as urinary tract infections, crystal formation in the urine or blockages, cystitis/inflammation, intestinal parasites, IBS, or other heath issues (including arthritis or mobility challenges) may also be the culprit. Any new or suspicious behavior on the part of your kitty should immediately be brought to the attention of your vet to help get to the bottom of this concern.
Stress:
Stress/anxiety can also cause cats to urinate outside of the box, this can often be their way of dealing with something that upsets them. Cats are creatures of habit and many react poorly to even the slightest change in their routine or environment - the addition of a new pet or a baby in the family, company or a gathering that makes her feel displaced, a caregiver’s abrupt absence, a strange cat in the backyard, a change in food or routine, or other environmental factors people simply don’t notice. Because cats can't tell us what's wrong in words, going outside the box is often their non-verbal way of telling us, “I’m feeling stressed.” Especially if the kitty is new to your home, it’s possible she had a rough transition (emotionally) and everything being new and different may have confused and stressed her and she is having trouble feeling at home.
Fussy with litter/box:
It may be something more simple like the kitty doesn't like the litter or box you have provided. The box may be too small, too confining or in an area that she does not feel comfortable going to. She may not be used to the litter or may not like the kind of litter in the box. If there are multiple cats or other pets in the house, she may be getting cornered or feels "trapped" in the box so is avoiding it out of fear. If the kitty is new to your home, she may need time to get used to the litter box/litter or may not have experience using a litter box and will need some time and patience to learn that the litter box is where to go.
Environmental triggers:
The kitty may be smelling old urine from another pet and is taking that as a signal that it is OK to potty there or is trying to cover that scent with their own (marking their territory). This can be a common problem (especially with carpeting or fabric surfaces like furniture) in homes that have had other pets. Cat urine is extremely potent, and after repeated accidents can seep deep into your carpets (reaching the sub-flooring if heavily saturated), upholstery or bedding, even penetrating hardwood floors. This can be a trigger for that pet or another to potty in that same spot.
Declawed cats:
Sadly a lot of kitties that have been declawed will stop using the litter box. The surgery can cause great pain (sometimes even life-long crippling effects). This pain is increased when they have to stand and dig in litter with sensitive paws. They begin to associate the litter box with that pain which results in them avoiding the box altogether. This is just one reason you should never declaw a cat.
What can I do to fix this problem?
Make an appointment with your vet:
The best thing to do initially is have your kitty examined by a vet to rule out health issues. If there is a medical reason for the behavior, your vet can get your kitty the right care and medication to help make her well and get her back to her usual litter box habits.
Determine the cause of stress:
If the vet feels your kitty is healthy and the cause of the litter box issues are behavioral (stress related), getting to the root of what is causing your kitty stress is going to make all the difference. If you have a new pet, you may need to separate them and try a slow introduction so allow plenty of time for the kitty to get used to the new furry friend. And especially if the kitty is new to your home, she may need time to get acclimated and comfortable in her new home. View our page on Introducing a New Cat to Your Home for some tips to help make introducing a new pet go smoother for all. If you have made other changes in the home, it might be best to take a "slowly but surely" approach to rearranging or replacing furniture, especially if the kitty has a favorite chair or napping place, be sure she gets used to the new items before removing the old.
Create a stress-free area for your kitty:
If you are not sure what has caused your kitty to be stressed, you might try working on just reducing her stress in general. Start out by getting some calming spray or a calming diffuser to help offer a more tranquil atmosphere for her. It may also be helpful to give the kitty her own space (a cozy room that you can put her in when you are not home or not able to keep an eye on her). Keep her litter box, food/water, toys and bed in there so she has easy access to them. Ideally choose a room that is easy to clean (no carpeting is best) with easy to clean furniture if any (put a mattress protector and blanket over chairs, a couch or bed if there is one in there just in case, or use outdoor furniture that is easy to wipe down). But provide her with plenty of things to keep her engaged and active like a cat tree, interactive toys, a TV that you can leave on for her while you are not there (YouTube has some great “cat channels” that play videos of birds and squirrels). Put a bird or squirrel feeder outside the window so she can watch critters play outside. Be sure to spend time with her each day, playing with toys, sitting and petting her or just sharing some lap time so she still received the love/attention she needs to feel at home. Slowly give her supervised time out of the room so she can begin to reintegrate into the full household again while always giving her access to her room/comfort zone.
Anti-Anxiety medication or supplements:
If your kitty got a clean bill of health from the vet, and the above suggestions don't seem to help, you can talk to your vet about the possibility of anti-anxiety medication to help with the behavior issues. Your vet may recommend trying a medication like Fluoxetine, maybe even feline CBD oil, or trying calming care supplements to see if these options can help ease the stress/anxiety your kitty is feeling that is causing the litter box issues.
Make sure the litter boxes and litter are right for your kitty:
You might also try providing multiple litter boxes (especially if you have more than one kitty) or getting a larger, open litter box to make sure she has plenty of room to do her business without feeling like she is trapped in an enclosed box. Be sure to clean the litter box frequently (daily or twice daily is recommended) and replace used litter with fresh litter often to give your kitty a clean box to use. Use litter box attractant to help direct her to the box (Fresh Step has an additive you can sprinkle in the box that works very well, and there is also a “training litter” for kittens that has attractants in the litter). If you recently switched litters, your kitty may not like the new litter right away (or at all!). Some kitties do not like certain texture or scented litters, so sticking with a litter your kitty approves of is best. If you do want to try a new litter, it's always best to slowly transition to a new litter by mixing a little bit of the new litter to the old kind of litter, adding just a little more of the new and a little less of the old each day until the mix is at least 50% of the new litter (and the kitty is using it fine) before changing to the new litter exclusively. This may take up to 2 weeks to fully and successfully transition a kitty to a new kind of litter. If you recently got a new box or moved the location of the litter box, spend some time showing the kitty the new box, make sure she knows the location and is comfortable with the new location (a quiet, low traffic area with easy access is best). Using the litter box attractant in a new box can also help reassure your kitty that it is an appropriate place to potty. You may also need to adjust the litter box and litter to accommodate kitties that are getting older, may have trouble seeing, difficulty climbing in and out of the litter box or need more assistance to use the box properly. Consider getting a box that is wider with lower sides for kitties that may be struggling with mobility. Try putting puppy pads in the bottom with less litter so they have better traction and don't sink into the litter which may cause them pain or confuse them.
Clean as prevention for future accidents:
When your kitty has an accident outside of the box, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE AREA in which the accident occurred, especially if your kitty urinated on carpeting or upholstery. Making sure the area is clean and deodorized may help prevent future occurrences. Using enzyme cleaners that are specifically formulated for pet accidents tend to work best because they break down the odor-causing phenomes in your cat’s urine and help to eliminate the smell altogether. You may even consider using a professional cleaner to come in and thoroughly clean the carpet or furniture with a pet odor cleaning formula. Other options for "DIY" cleaning include using baking soda and/or a diluted vinegar solution to help remove the stain and odor.
Special consideration for declawed kitties:
Because declawing causes pain, talk to your vet about providing pain medication for your kitty to help ease the pain and make using the litter box less distressing. If your kitty has been declawed for a while and litter box issues are just now surfacing, you may need further evaluation to determine if there are additional issues at play due to "botched" declawing procedures that could be causing even greater issues all around. Using a litter that is extremely soft (and preferably natural) is very important. Avoid litter that is coarse. Pellet, granulated or "pebble-like" litter can increase pain for declawed cats, so you want to select a litter that will be the most gentle/comfortable for your cat's paws.
Be patient:
In the end, our greatest recommendation is to be patient, be understanding and be diligent with your kitty's needs. There is a reason your kitty is not using the litter box appropriately. It may take some time and money to get to the bottom of the issue, but as a member of your family, your kitty needs and deserves your help to her get back on track.