Why Doesn’t My Cat Defecate in Its Litter Box?
Do you have a cat that doesn’t use the litter box? Cats that defecate in inappropriate places can be a significant source of stress for their owners. When your cat has a few accidents, it may start to skip using the litter box consistently. The aroma in your home becomes rather off-putting. When a cat doesn’t use the litter box, it could lead you to question why. Untreated health problems, changes in the home’s environment, issues with the cat’s particular litter or box, and changes in the box’s position are among the causes of a cat’s cessation of litter box use.
This litter box troubleshooting guide is based on my analysis of my interactions with hundreds of cat owners. Getting your cat to use the litter box again often requires only a little experimentation and some minor adjustments. First, we’ll go over the most typical causes of a cat not utilizing the litter box. Following this, I will detail the specific measures you can take to reestablish your cat’s use of the litter box in your home.
Why Your Cat Isn’t Using the Litter Box Most of the Time
Diagnosis of Disease
Make an appointment with your vet to rule out any serious health problems if you see anything out of the ordinary in your cat’s elimination history. You can help your vet spot problems by bringing a potty log. Have a blood draw, stool sample, and urinalysis done. Ensure there are no age-related health issues, such as kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid problems, or urinary tract infections. I suggest checking out PrettyLitter if you wish to take an extra preventive approach to your cat’s health. You can easily spot common health conditions like renal illness, UTIs, and more with PrettyLitter, a litter that changes colors!
Inside, two felines are restrained by collars and harnesses
Damage from Having Too Many Cats at Home
As a territorial marking strategy, some cats defecate in places other than their designated litter box. Unaltered cats are particularly prone to this. Cats will often mark their territory by defecating on furniture and drapes. To find out when it’s safest to spay or neuter your cat, consult your vet. Not only may this aid in litter box use, but it can also help prevent other undesirable behaviors.
A litter box for each cat, plus an extra, is a good investment if you live with multiple felines. It is recommended to have a total of three litter boxes for households with two cats. The litter box arrangement of your current cat should remain unchanged if you acquire a new cat. As explained further down, you should start your new cat on a “watch and confine” regimen. The idea behind this technique is to keep your cat in one room where it can easily access its litter box and to never leave it alone in that room. In the room where your new cat will be housed, make sure to install two litter boxes. If your new cat is comfortable using one of the litter boxes, you can move the other one to the same room once they’re both accustomed to it.
Two felines playing lip-licking adorable
Concurrent Incidents at the Same Location
Cats will find a way around obstacles, even if you obstruct their usual route to the litter box. The likelihood of this happening again increases if it has happened before. Ensure that the area where the accident occurred is cordoned off. The litter box must be within your cat’s reach at all times. With a cat door, your feline friend will always have easy access to the litter box. Always keep the door to any tiny room closed in case your cat has an accident there. Locking the door won’t stop your cat from urinating in a larger room. Try inverting a spiky chair mat for carpets.
Surprising Event-Disrupting Removal
If your cat experiences a frightening event when using the litter box, such as a deafening noise coming from your dryer, it may develop a fear of using the box in the future. An automated litter box cleaner’s noises could frighten your cat as well. If this occurs, you are presented with two choices. Please get rid of whatever it was that made that terrifying sound. Another option is to put the litter box in a separate area so your cat will not be startled. Revert to the 10-day watch-and-contain strategy described below if you relocate the litter box to a different room. Seal off the area that was formerly used for the litter box. To reduce fear-related behavior, erase whatever generated the scary sounds, and then employ the watch-and-contain strategy for a few days. Make sure to feed your cat in its dedicated litter box area. This will help develop a good association.
Royal Majesty Cat Perched on a Windowsill
The Mysteries of Houseplants
Occasionally, felines mistake the dirt around houseplants for a suitable toilet spot. Cats who spend time both inside and outside often experience this. The bright side is that your plants aren’t in danger. Secure the plant pot with tape so your feline friend can’t access the dirt.
The Watch and Confine Method and the Perfect Litter Box Configuration
My recommendation to anyone still having trouble with their cat using the litter box is to implement what I term the “watch and confine” strategy. Based on my observations of housebreaking incidents, this approach to training the litter box is practical for 99% of cats.
Feline consuming Friskies cat tree with food for cats
Put your cat’s litter box in a designated room. It should be located in a quiet, secluded area that is accessible at all times. Some examples include a basement, a closet, an additional bathroom, or a peaceful spot in the laundry room. Put in a cat door in this room if you can; that way, your cat will always be able to get in and out. As a bonus, this can also keep other animals out of the area. Your cat’s confined space should provide comfortable, preferably elevated, places to relax and drink water. There should be no area rugs, absorbent floor coverings, or pots there. If kids have a history of using bedding as a toilet, it’s best to remove it.
I recommend a “watch and confine” system for your cat. If you want to keep them from having accidents when you’re not around, confine them to a room with a litter box. Try a smaller room if your cat still has accidents when confined. Wearing a brightly colored leash will allow you to keep a careful check on your cat when they are out of confinement, in case they have an accident or try to go to the litter box. Determining when and where your cat goes potty is the primary objective. When accidents stop happening, gradually expand their freedom and the amount of their confinement.
Show your cat the ropes. Ensure the litter box is used for all bathroom breaks. With lots of praise and three of your cat’s favorite little treats, wait for them to come out of their box. Providing your cat with feedback on the behavior you desire from them is of the utmost importance. When your cat defecates in an unsanitary area, scold it verbally. Say “NO!” with all the authority you have if you discover your cat using the restroom somewhere other than its designated litter box. Just make sure you do this immediately after your cat has an accident or while you catch them in the act. When your cat goes potty and you don’t see it, don’t scold it verbally; try again the next time.
Remove areas where accidents have occurred. Be careful to seal off the area if your cat has defecated there more than once. Your cat is more likely to go back to the exact bathroom location if it has defecated there previously. If the area is a cramped room, keep the door closed at all times. If you don’t have a good way to contain the spill in a large living room, try inverting a prickly chair mat for carpets.
Try out several types of litter and containers. To ensure your cat can access the litter box with ease, set it at a low enough height. Cats of a certain age may have trouble getting around, so this is very crucial for them. Investigate further to find out if your feline friend likes a flat or covered box. If you want to take it a step further, you may place multiple litter boxes in the same room with different types of litter and allow your cat to choose which one they prefer.
Once every two hours, give the litter box a good cleaning. A once-daily cleaning may not be sufficient if your cat is avoiding the litter box due to cleanliness issues. Despite the minimal additional effort it requires, you should clean the litter box after each use and check on it every couple of hours. If you want to be on the safe side, it’s best to clean the litter box instead of the areas your cat has defecated in. Pay attention to the presence of urine or feces.
Keep track of your cat’s elimination schedule with a log. If you want to know when your cat is going to go potty, keeping a record will help. Additionally, it will help you anticipate their whereabouts and identify any deviations from their typical behavior.
Take your time and revel in the little victories. Hooray for a three-day accident-free streak for your feline friend! Once your cat has gone ten days without an accident, you can increase the size of their special chamber. Getting your cat to use the litter box again can be challenging, but it’s possible with persistence and patience.
