Has your cat stopped using the litter box, but you’re unsure why? Perhaps your cat has started to urinate around the house, even though you change the litter box every day? Whether this behavior is by an adult cat or a newly adopted kitten, this guide will help you understand why your cat isn’t using the litter box.
Why your cat may not be using the litter box
It can be hard to determine why your cat is avoiding the litter box. Below we break down common causes by showing the problem and solutions for each.
Health Concerns
Medical issues can change their litter box habits. You may notice that your cat is:
- Straining when going potty
- Having frequent potty breaks
- Only producing small amounts of urine
These are signs that your cat could have health issues. Common health concerns that cause litter box issues include kidney disease, urinary tract infections, thyroid issues or joint/movement issues.
Consult with your veterinarian to rule out any potential health concerns. They may recommend a urinalysis, stool check, and a blood draw.
If you would like to be more proactive with your cats health, you can use Pretty Litter. This is a type of litter that changes color when common health issues are detected.
Limited Access to the litter box
If your cat can’t always access the litter box, they may choose a different location. This could include the carpet in a small room or a bathroom sink. Even if you later allow access to the litter box, your cat may choose to potty in their new location instead. Once they form this habit, it can be harder to get them back on track.
Stress or Disruptions
Even with easy access, some cats avoid the litter box because the surrounding environment feels unsafe or stressful.
Cats prefer their litter box to be located in a quiet, private area. Cats can be disturbed by loud noises, such as a nearby washing machine. An automatic litter box can also startle them. Other pets (especially dogs) can cause your cat to avoid the box altogether.
If there are no disruptions, but accidents are still happening, then your cat may be mistaking something else for a litter box. Cats who are let outdoors may mistake indoor plants as litter boxes.
Marking behaviors in multi-cat homes
Unfortunately, some cats will urinate outside of the litter box to mark their territory. This is more common with unaltered cats, who may, unfortunately, mark on household objects such as couches, chairs, and curtains.
We’re here to help
There are many different reasons and solutions that could cause potty training problems. Figuring out why your cat isn’t using the litter box, and then addressing it, takes time, patience, and a consistent approach.
If you have any questions about potty training, manners and obedience training, or behavioral training for cats? We are experts in training cats to be well-behaved in the Dallas area. You can contact our Pet Behavior Team for a complimentary consultation and personalized program recommendation to achieve your training goals. Our cat training programs are available through one-on-one training sessions in your home and neighborhood or virtually. Our Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and co-founder, Dr. Echterling-Savage, provides virtual consultation programs. These programs include cat obedience training, aggressive cat behavior modification, and potty training.
