- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Ah, the litter box—one of the tricky parts of having a cat. Most of the time, cats are happy to use their litter box. But sometimes, they might poop right next to it, or even somewhere else in the house. If your cat has developed a habit of pooping outside the litter box, it’s important to rule out underlying medical issues and then investigate potential behavioral or environmental factors.
As frustrating as litter box avoidance can be, it’s important to remember that your cat isn’t pooping on the floor out of spite, notes Dr. Myers, a licensed veterinarian at Vetster. Your cat is communicating something through their behavior. Read on to learn why your cat might be avoiding their litter box and what they might be trying to tell you.
Medical Reasons
If your cat suddenly starts pooping outside the litter box, Dr. Myers recommends consulting your veterinarian to rule out medical issues. Examples of health concerns that may cause litter box avoidance include:
- Digestive issues. Inflammatory bowel disease, diarrhea, constipation, and dietary sensitivities can lead to painful defecation or a sense of urgency, causing your cat to lose control of their bowels on the way.
- Mobility challenges. Arthritis and other age-related conditions can impact your cat’s mobility. If your cat can’t use the litter box comfortably, they may go somewhere else.
- Diabetes or kidney disease. These medical conditions can increase thirst and urination, leading to the litter box becoming dirtier more quickly. If your cat doesn’t think it’s clean enough, they might not use it.
- Cognitive dysfunction. After the age of 10, cats may develop signs of cognitive decline. Along with excessive sleeping, unprompted vocalization, and spatial disorientation, some cats urinate or defecate outside the litter box.
When to see a vet
Even if you suspect a behavioral or environmental trigger, Dr. Myer recommends consulting a veterinarian. When paired with litter box avoidance, Dr. Myers says the following signs suggest medical discomfort or urgency:
- Straining to defecate
- Crying or yowling
- Frequent trips to the litter box
- Small, hard stools
- Blood or mucus in the stool
- Diarrhea or loose stool
- Vomiting
- Changes in appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Low energy
- Hiding more than usual
How promptly you should schedule a vet visit depends on the severity of your cat’s condition.
Dr. Myers recommends a same-day consultation if your cat is straining, crying, passing blood, lethargic, vomiting, not eating, or not passing stool. You’ll also want to immediately see a vet if your cat is peeing outside the litter box, as well as pooping. Urinary issues can progress quickly and, in some cases, become life-threatening.
Otherwise, schedule a vet visit within a week and take steps to optimize your cat’s litter box setup. While you wait, take notes on your cat’s behavior and other symptoms to share with your vet. During your visit, the vet will perform a physical exam and may recommend diagnostic tests such as bloodwork, urinalysis, or a fecal exam.
Environmental Changes
In many cases, when a cat starts avoiding the litter box, it’s because they dislike something about the box or the experience of using it. Cats are highly sensitive to change, says Dr. Myers. If your cat suddenly starts pooping outside the litter box, consider whether something has recently disrupted their routine.
Common environmental factors that contribute to litter box avoidance include:
- Litter box setup. Getting a new litter box, using the wrong type of cat litter, over- or underfilling the box, or scooping less frequently could upset your cat. If your cat consistently poops in a specific spot or on a particular surface (like rugs or bath mats), it may indicate an issue with the litter box setup.
- Too few litter boxes. Some cats will only use a perfectly clean litter box, so not having enough or not scooping them often enough can lead to problems. Some cats also prefer to use one box for urine and another for feces.
- Poor litter box placement. Placing the litter box next to a noisy appliance, in a heavily trafficked area, or in an inconvenient location might make your cat hesitant to use it.
Behavioral Problems
It’s often difficult to determine the underlying cause of litter box avoidance, says Dr. Myers. Particularly with behavioral triggers, it may come down to observation. Here are some things to keep an eye out for if you believe your cat’s litter box problems are due to a behavioral concern:
- Resource guarding. Some cats become possessive of valued resources, such as food, toys, and even litter boxes. If one cat is guarding the litter box, it may prevent other cats in the home from using it normally.
- Stress from household changes. Cats are easily stressed by household changes, such as moving to a new home, renovations, or even new furniture. Changes to your family dynamics can also be tough on a cat, such as losing a family member, welcoming a new baby, or getting another cat.
- Anxiety over new routines. Many cats struggle with sudden disruptions to their schedule, such as when their humans start going into the office instead of working from home or when they’re left alone for longer hours.
- Negative association. At some point, your cat may have had a negative experience in or around the litter box, making them hesitant to revisit it. For example, they may have been ambushed by another cat, startled by a loud noise nearby, or even experienced pain while using the litter box.
- Territorial marking. Sometimes in multi-cat homes, a cat will poop outside the litter box in a prominent place or leave their feces uncovered in the litter box to send a message to other cats. Called middening, this behavior is a form of deliberate scent marking. Dr. Myers notes that fecal marking is less common than urine marking.
Mila Naumova via iStock
How To Stop Your Cat from Pooping on the Floor
If you’re able to discern between behavioral and environmental causes of your cat’s litter box avoidance, you can address the issue directly. Here are some ways to optimize litter box setup, implement a cleaning routine, and reduce stress in your cat’s environment.
Litter box changes
One way to entice your cat to use the litter box properly is to make it easier and more appealing to them:
- Buy an extra litter box. You should have one litter box per cat, plus at least one extra.
- Pick the right litter. Most cats prefer clumping clay litter, but preferences vary. Try using different litter in different boxes to see which one your cat uses most.
- Try a different litter box. Cats generally prefer open litter boxes to covered or enclosed ones, and bigger is usually better.
- Choose a quiet location. Place the litter box in a quiet, low-traffic area that’s not cramped and is easy to access. If you have multiple cats, don’t put all the boxes in one place.
- Consider accessibility. For cats with mobility issues, make sure your cat doesn’t have to climb stairs or over high sides to access the box.
If your cat is consistently pooping outside the litter box in the same location, try placing a litter box there. For cats who poop on rugs, bath mats, or laundry, it may help to remove or limit access to preferred surfaces during the training period.
Cleaning routines
Optimizing your cat’s litter box setup is only one piece of the puzzle—keeping it clean is another. By scooping regularly, you’ll be eliminating another factor that might encourage your cat to do their business elsewhere.
- Scoop twice a day. If once-daily scooping isn’t working, try scooping the litter box twice a day (or more often, if needed).
- Keep the litter box clean. Wipe down the litter box walls and use an odor-eliminating spray weekly. Then, deep-clean the box every 2 to 4 weeks.
- Consider a self-cleaning litter box. If you’re pressed for time and it fits your budget, a self-cleaning litter box that automates scooping could be a win for both you and your cat.
- Clean the litter box area. Keep the area around your cat’s litter box tidy, and use a litter mat to help reduce litter scatter.
It’s also crucial to clean up accidents quickly, ideally using an enzymatic cleaner. These cleaners break down stains at a chemical level to keep your cat from returning to the same spot.
Household changes
Cats are creatures of habit, so taking steps to make life a little more predictable could reduce stress-related litter box avoidance. If the trigger for your cat’s stress isn’t something you can change, provide your cat with stress-relieving spaces and activities.
- Optimize feeding routines. Try to feed your cat at the same time each day. If your own schedule varies, an automatic pet feeder might be a worthwhile investment.
- Create cat-specific spaces. Make sure your cat has a space to call their own, complete with comfy bedding, toys, and safe scratching surfaces.
- Offer vertical space. Cats like high perches and resting places where they can escape threats and observe their territory.
- Minimize visual conflict. If seeing other cats or animals outside stresses your cat, block the view with window film or curtains, or move bedding away from the window.
- Separate key resources. In multi-cat homes, offer several options so no cat has to pass another to eat, drink, rest, or use the litter box.
Every cat handles stress differently. It’s crucial to pay attention to your cat’s body language for clues to how they’re feeling. It may also help to give your cat ways to work off nervous energy. Try offering things like lick mats, scratching posts, and interactive toys.
Behavioral support
If stress plays a key role in your cat’s litter box avoidance, there are steps you can take to help your cat feel more at ease. If your cat’s avoidance is related to a negative association with the litter box, desensitization training may help.
- Avoid disciplining your cat. Punishing or physically correcting your cat isn’t effective and can lead to increased anxiety and worsened avoidance.
- Reinforce desired behavior. Offer your cat verbal praise or a food reward each time they use the litter box correctly.
- Spend time with your cat. Playing with your cat or simply spending time relaxing with them can help them feel more secure. In multi-cat households, make sure to give each cat individual quality time.
- Hire a pet sitter. If you notice your cat gets anxious when you’re away, consider hiring a trusted pet sitter to provide them with love and support during your absence.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, there’s no shame in asking for help. Look for a certified cat behavior consultant to help you identify the root cause of your cat’s litter box avoidance and develop solutions. A vet behaviorist can help you decide if bringing behavioral medication on board is right for your cat.
Troubleshooting Tips
Why is my cat pooping outside the litter box but peeing inside?
When a cat poops outside the litter box but pees inside, Dr. Myers says it may suggest they find the posture for defecation uncomfortable. An underlying condition, such as constipation, arthritis, or rectal pain, might make hunching difficult for your cat.
To help them, talk with your vet to address any medical conditions, then consider how you can make the litter box more comfortable, such as switching the litter type or adjusting the litter depth.
Why is my cat pooping on the floor but acting normal?
If your cat is pooping on the floor but acting normal, the issue could be the litter box itself. Start taking steps to optimize your cat’s litter box setup, like opting for a larger, uncovered box. Schedule a vet visit to check for underlying health issues.
What does stress poop look like in cats?
Fecal color and consistency vary depending on diet. However, healthy stool should be dark brown, firm yet pliable, and segmented. Soft or watery stool (diarrhea) can be a sign of stress in cats, as can pooping outside the litter box.
Why is my cat pooping outside the litter box at night?
Some cats experience stress or separation anxiety when left alone at night. If your cat poops outside the litter box only at night and also exhibits destructive behaviors, excessive vocalization, and restlessness, it could point to stress.
It’s also worth asking whether it’s harder to access the litter box at night because the door is closed or there’s another obstacle.
Finally, many cats are more active at night. Yours may simply be using the litter box at night rather than during the day.
