Litter Box Issues

Pee and poop outside the litter box is one of the most common behavior concerns for cat owners. Luckily there are ways to help get your cat back in the box.

Start with the vet
Many litter box problems are actually a sign of illness so a vet visit should be your first stop. Infections, bladder or kidney stones, GI distress, arthritis, and more can lead to a cat not using their box. Nothing but proper veterinary care will solve the problem if this is the case. 

Horizontal or Vertical?
First, identify whether your cat is inappropriately urinating (peeing in puddles on flat surfaces) or spraying (leaving lines of urine on vertical surfaces). 

Puddles on a horizontal surface are typically an indication on a medical issues, a problem with the litter box setup, or some stress in your cat’s life. Spraying is a form of territorial marking and usually a sign of cat-cat conflict, anxiety about the safety of their territory, or other stressors. It’s still worth cleaning the litter box though!

​QUICK TIP: Clean all soiled areas with an enzymatic cleaner. If your cat has a long history of peeing outside the box, use a urine-detecting black light to find and clean all of the spots.

Litter Box Setup
Some cats can tolerate a non-ideal litter box setup for their whole lives; others are fine only until other stress comes into their life. If your cat is avoiding the litter box, now is the time to perfect it.

Type of Box:

  • Uncovered to prevent the cat from feeling trapped or cornered
  • Large enough for the cat to turn around completely
  • Sides low enough for the cat to easily climb in and out
  • Simple is usually better; offer an option that isn’t self-cleaning

Location of Box:

  • Dispersed through the house, on all floors that cat has access to
    An area where cat can see all around and has multiple escape options
    Away from strong scents or loud noises such as appliances
    Away from high traffic areas where cat may be surprised or startled
    Not near food or water

Type of Litter:

  • Unscented
  • Fine-grained or sand-like

Cleanliness:

  • Scoop 1-2 times a day
  • Dump all litter and refill every 1-2 weeks
  • Completely wash box at least once a month

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cat-Cat Conflict
Issues between cats in the home isn’t a separate problem. To get your cat back in the box, first improve the relationship between your cats.

  • Litter Boxes: Multiple litter boxes for multiple cats is a must! A good rule of thumb is one more box than the number of cats though you may be okay with fewer or need more depending on your home. The boxes must be in different locations to prevent one cat from blocking access.
  • Spread Out Resources: Move food/water stations, cat trees, and scratching posts so they are spread out in your home to decrease competition and bullying. Most cats are happier not eating right next to one another.
  • Go Up: Add raised perches to different areas of your home, especially any areas where conflict is common. 
  • Burn Energy: Unwanted play attempts are a common problem. Use interactive play and food puzzles to burn extra energy.
  • Positive Associations: Use treats, toys, and attention to reward the cats for being relaxed together.
  • Separate If Needed: Set up different spaces and let the cats take a break from each other. Then slowly reintroduce them

Stress
​The big issue of “stress” can feel hard to tackle. There are many things you can do to help your cat relax and feel safe.

  • Lots of Play: Interactive play and food puzzles are important to your cat’s overall wellbeing and behavior.
  • Cat-Friendly Home: Cats need hiding places, raised perches, scratching posts, toys, and attention to be their best selves. 
  • No Bad Stuff: Minimize the stressful things in your cats life, especially any form of punishment.
  • Stability: Provide a safe, familiar place for your cat to retreat to and a consistent routine so life feels predictable. 
  • Deter Outdoor Cats: Having unfamiliar cats hanging around can be a huge stressor.
  • Ask For Help: Talk to your vet about other ways to lower your cat’s stress. A cat behavior consultant can help you work through a plan.

QUICK TIP: Litter box issues are often intermittent so keep a journal to determine if things are getting better. Include details like any activity or fights in the home that day so you can identify patterns.

This material was written in collaboration with cat behavior consultant Jessica Char.
Learn more at  www.FelineEngineering.com