Why Is My Cat Pooping Outside the Litter Box?

Finding your cat's poop where it doesn't belong is frustrating for any cat owner. Before you blame your cat, it's important to understand that cats don't avoid their litter box out of spite or to make your life difficult. There's always an underlying reason, whether it's a health issue, stress, or something about the box itself that's bothering them. Let us take a closer look at the most common ones.

1. Medical issues:

When you notice your cat pooping outside the litter box, health concerns should be your first consideration. Cats are naturally clean animals, and a sudden change in bathroom habits often signals a medical problem.

Digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can make using the litter box uncomfortable or urgent for your cat. You might notice your cat straining, crying while attempting to defecate, or producing abnormal stools.

Pain when squatting is another common medical cause. If your cat has arthritis, especially senior cats, or has suffered an injury, the position required to use a litter box might be painful. You'll recognize this if your cat seems hesitant to enter the box or vocalizes when attempting to use it.

Urinary tract infections or other urinary issues can create negative associations with the litter box. Even though these primarily affect urination, your cat may develop an overall litter box aversion that impacts defecation habits as well.

2. Behavioral problems:

Cats are sensitive creatures, and their bathroom habits often reflect their emotional state. Stress and anxiety are leading behavioral causes of inappropriate elimination.

Major life changes can trigger inappropriate elimination. When you introduce a new pet, move homes, or change your work schedule, your cat may respond by pooping outside the litter box. You'll notice this behavior often begins shortly after the environmental change occurs.

In multi-cat households, territorial disputes frequently lead to litter box avoidance. If another cat is "guarding" the litter box area or intimidating your cat, they may seek alternative bathroom locations. You'll observe this through other signs of tension between your cats, such as hissing, chasing, or one cat consistently dominating shared spaces.

Some cats develop specific location preferences for elimination that have nothing to do with the litter box itself. If your cat consistently poops in the same inappropriate spot, they may have developed a substrate preference for that surface or location.

3. Litter box preferences:

Cats can be incredibly picky about their bathroom setup. A dirty litter box is the cat equivalent of a gas station bathroom with no toilet paper. Would you want to use it? Probably not. Your cat feels the same way. The easiest way to check if this is your problem is to clean the box more often and see if the outside-the-box incidents decrease.

The actual litter matters too. Some cats hate those heavily perfumed litters that smell great to us but overwhelm their sensitive noses. Others might dislike how certain litters feel between their toes. If you recently switched brands, that might explain your sudden poop problems.

Many homes simply don't have enough litter boxes. The rule of thumb is one box per cat plus one extra, spread throughout your home. Putting all the boxes in one spot is like having only one bathroom in a house, sometimes it's just too far to travel when nature calls.

Size matters too. Many store-bought litter boxes are built for human convenience, not cat comfort. For larger cats especially, a tiny box can be uncomfortable. And while covered boxes might keep odors contained for you, they can make some cats feel cornered or trapped during their vulnerable bathroom moments.

Has your feline friend started taking naps in a most unusual location? Explore our article to understand why cats sometimes seek comfort in their litter boxes and what you can do about it.

Now that we understand why your cat might be avoiding their litter box, let's talk solutions. The good news is that most litter box problems can be resolved once you identify the underlying cause.

1. Rule out medical causes:

When your cat starts leaving deposits in odd places, a quick vet visit is a smart first move. Your vet can tell if there's something physical going on that needs attention. Keep an eye out for these red flags that suggest a health problem:

• Poop that looks different, as in too hard, too soft or weird colors.
• Your cat straining or crying when trying to go.
• Any blood in the stool (always a reason to call the vet).
• Weight dropping or less interest in food.
• Less energy or acting different than normal.

Most cat health problems are much easier and cheaper to fix when caught early. Treating the underlying issue often solves the bathroom problems and gets your cat feeling better all around.

2. Improve the litter box setup:

Once medical issues are ruled out, evaluating your litter box situation is the next critical step:

• Ensure you have enough litter boxes, the one-per-cat-plus-one rule is a good starting point. You'll see improvement when each cat has sufficient options available.
• Place litter boxes in multiple locations throughout your home. Cats appreciate having options in different areas, especially in multi-level homes. You'll discover your cat's preferences by observing which boxes get used most frequently.
• Choose the right locations for your litter boxes. Quiet, low-traffic areas where your cat won't be disturbed are ideal. Avoid placing boxes near noisy appliances, food areas, or in cramped spaces.
• Experiment with different types of litter to find what your cat prefers. Many cats favor unscented, clumping clay litter with a sand-like texture, but individual preferences vary.
• Clean boxes frequently, at least once daily for scooping and weekly for a complete change and wash. You'll notice your cat is more likely to use a fresh, clean box consistently.
• Consider the box design because many cats prefer large, open boxes with low sides for easy entry and exit. Senior cats especially benefit from boxes with at least one very low side for easy access.

If your multi-cat household is experiencing litter box issues, our other article about feline bathroom etiquette and sharing might provide the solutions you need.

3. Behavioral training tips:

Addressing behavioral causes requires patience and positive reinforcement techniques.

• Never punish your cat for inappropriate elimination. Punishment creates fear and stress, which typically worsens the problem. Instead, you'll achieve better results by rewarding proper litter box use with treats, praise, or playtime.
• Make inappropriate elimination spots less attractive. You can deter your cat from problem areas by covering them with aluminum foil, plastic mats, or double-sided tape temporarily.
• Thoroughly clean soiled areas with an enzymatic cleaner specifically designed for pet waste. Regular household cleaners won't eliminate the scent completely, and any lingering odor may attract your cat back to the same spot.
• For stress-related issues, consider using feline pheromone products, which come in diffuser, spray, or wipe forms. Many cat parents find these products helpful in reducing anxiety-related elimination problems.

Finally, it is important to create positive associations with the litter box area by placing treats, toys, or catnip nearby (but not in the box itself). You'll help your cat view the litter box location as a pleasant space rather than something to avoid.

Is your cat digging and scratching in their litter box like they're trying to reach China? Discover what this common behavior means in our other to feline bathroom habits.

If you want to read similar articles to Why Is My Cat Pooping Outside the Litter Box?, we recommend you visit our Behavioral problems category.