My Cat Uses the Litter Box Only to Urinate

A cat can be a friendly companion to pet owners, but sometimes a cat's behavior will change in a negative way--such as failure to use the litter box. A cat using the litter box to urinate and then having bowel movements around the home can have a number of underlying issues causing the problem.

  1. Medical Problems

    • Cats with untreated medical conditions may experience pain when having a bowel movement. Often, they will associate the pain with the use of the litter box and begin defecating on the floor in another area. Conditions that can cause pain during bowel movements include intestinal parasites, constipation, impacted anal sacs and bowel disease. It is important to visit your veterinarian to discuss the cause of your cat's accidents and rule out any underlying issues.

    Territorial

    • If there are multiple cats in the house, it's possible that one cat is territorial and refuses to share a litter box with other cats. Some cats are pickier than others and don't wish to have a bowel movement in a litter box that already has been used. Placing multiple litter boxes around the home or buying an automatic litter box that immediately clears away waste can help to solve the problem.

    Preferences

    • Some cats prefer to urinate and defecate in separate areas. This can be due to the aroma of cat urine. Try setting out a separate box for your cat to use and see if he begins to urinate in one box and have bowel movements in the other. Some cats will stop using the litter box if their owner changes cat litter. Avoid changing cat litter suddenly; instead, mix the two types together for a week or two and slowly reduce the amount of the old litter until the transition is complete.

    Anxiety

    • Cats can experience anxiety in much the same ways that humans do. Anxiety can be caused by changes in the living environment, neglect, abuse, new pets in the home or separation. If you notice your cat has more accidents when you leave the home, it's likely that she is experiencing separation anxiety. Take time each day to lay with your can and provide him with one on one attention. If necessary, a vet may be able to prescribe an anti-anxiety medication for cats that can be administered before a big change or before leaving the home.

    Poorly Cleaned Area

    • Cats have an excellent sense of smell, meaning that they can smell old stains that owners may think they've cleaned. If the area has been soiled in the past and wasn't cleaned sufficiently, it's likely that the cat will continue to return to the spot for her bowel movements. To ensure that the area is properly cleaned, first use an all-purpose disinfectant and then dry the area. Follow this by scrubbing the area with an enzyme cleaner designed to remove animal smells.