Why Your Cat Won't Use the Litter Box: Potential Causes

Causes for inappropriate elimination can range from underlying urinary tract conditions to behavioral concerns. Here are some potential reasons your kitten, adult cat or elderly cat's peeing outside the litter box.

Kittens

Kittens learn what to do by watching their mother. If kittens are orphaned or adopted too early, they may miss out on cat litter box lessons. In these cases, take on the role of a mother cat and teach your kitten to use the litter box appropriately.

Adult Cats

If the behavior is new, you might wonder: Why is my cat not using the litter box anymore? Maybe you recently changed their setup, or perhaps their preferences or needs have changed. Your cat may have a problem with the litter box maintenance, size or location. If you're not scooping and changing the litter regularly or the layer of litter is too shallow or too deep (most cats prefer about 2 inches), they may decide to pee elsewhere. Your cat also may not use the litter box if it's difficult to access or contains a liner that catches their claws.

Some cats like to have separate boxes for solids and liquids. In multicat homes, cats often dislike sharing the facilities. Other cats are wary of litter boxes that don't feel private or quiet enough. Cats also have distinct tastes when it comes to litter scent and texture (most prefer unscented) and may snub the box if you've recently switched to a different type.

Household changes can also increase stress and impact your cat's demeanor. Moving, remodeling, pet or human additions or losses, and even the sudden presence of outdoor cats may raise kitty stress. This can result in hit-or-miss litter box behavior at any age. Stress can also lead to medical urinary conditions, like feline idiopathic cystitis. If you suspect stress, reach out to your vet for advice.

Senior Cats

Do you have an older cat peeing outside the litter box? If your senior cat's peeing outside the litter box after years of using it, it may be due to declining mobility or cognition. In these cases, some cats may associate the litter box with a painful or uncomfortable situation, eventually leading to an aversion.

Signs of an Underlying Health Concern

If your cat has persistent accidents or won't use the litter box at all, it may be a sign of a medical condition, such as feline lower urinary tract disease, bacterial cystitis, kidney failure, liver disease or diabetes. Check for the following signs of medical urinary issues:

• Consistently urinating and/or defecating outside the litter box

• Spraying urine (vertical urine marks around doorways, walls, windows or objects)

• Spending too much time in the litter box

• Visiting the litter box more often than usual

• Vocalizing in the litter box

• Acting lethargic

• Drinking more water

• Eating less

• Losing weight

Your veterinarian can help diagnose and treat a range of underlying health concerns to get your cat back on track.

How to Help Your Cat Use the Litter Box Properly

Remember: Your cat isn't trying to spite you by soiling outside the litter box. Never raise your voice or otherwise punish your cat. Punishing a cat increases fear and stress and exacerbates the problem. Instead, identify the reason and address it.

Maintain Litter Box Best Practices

Encourage your cat to visit the litter box by making it easy and pleasant to use. Scoop the litter box every day, and add clean litter as needed to maintain ideal levels. Rinse the box with baking soda or unscented soap once a week. Litter change frequency depends on litter type, so follow the instructions on the box to keep it fresh.

Add litter boxes to different areas of the house, placing them in quiet but easily accessible locations. Avoid overly remote or trafficked areas. Remove hoods and liners, and keep food bowls and bedding away from the litter box.

Take Steps to Prevent Future Accidents

If your cat favors a certain spot, make it less appealing by placing a food bowl, bed or treats there. Limit access to your house by closing doors when your cat will be home alone, too.

Thoroughly cleaning areas where your cat has urinated outside the litter box is essential. This helps eliminate odors and preserves your carpets and furniture — but it also helps reduce future accidents. When your cat can smell their urine in a given area, it tells them it's an approved spot. So, removing all traces of the scent helps avoid mixed signals that this is an acceptable behavior.

Diagnosing Your Cat's Litter Box Problems

If your cat won't use the litter box despite these suggestions, contact your veterinarian for evaluation and diagnosis. They can give your cat a complete physical examination, blood tests and urinalysis to rule out any underlying issues. Following treatment for any associated medical conditions, you may need to revisit litter box training to reinstate normal patterns.

Explore Your Support Network

If you have questions about your cat's urinary health, talk to your vet. In some cases, they may recommend a specific cat food formulated for feline urinary health. Your vet can also help you better understand any environmental factors that might be contributing to your cat's urinary issues and provide tips to reduce stress. If you need more support, ask your vet for a veterinary behaviorist referral to help resolve challenging cases. You have a whole network of resources to help your cat live their best life!