How to Stop Your Cat from Going Outside the Litter Box

Cats may urinate outside of their litter box for a number of different reasons. One of the most common is that the litter box is not clean, but a box that is too small or that contains poor quality cat litter can also be triggers. Even cats that have previously used their litter box frequently can begin to exhibit this problem as they become more sensitive to issues with the litter box.

Things You'll Need

  • Cat litter
  • Cat litter scoop
  • Litter box
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clean the litter box more frequently. Cats dislike a dirty litter box and will sometimes go outside the box if it is not clean enough for their liking. Try cleaning the box twice as often as before to see if the problem is resolved.

    • 2

      Replace the litter with a different type or different brand. Choose an unscented cat litter, as some cats are sensitive to smells. Inexpensive cat litter often does not do an adequate job of absorbing a cat̵7;s urine or controlling odors. Ask your veterinarian or pet store employee for brand recommendations.

    • 3

      Move the litter box to a more private location in the house, and show the cat where it is located. Ideally, you can try moving the box to the location where the cat has been going in the house. Make sure the path to the litter box is not blocked by another animal, a child or another obstruction that makes the cat leery of using it.

    • 4

      Remove the cover and plastic tray liner if the litter box has one. Some cats dislike these items and will avoid the box if they are used.

    • 5

      Replace the litter box with a larger box or even multiple boxes. A box that is too small may get dirty quickly. Replacing it with a larger box or multiple boxes can help with picky cats.

    • 6

      Take your cat to a veterinarian for a check-up. Urinary tract infections and other health problems may cause sudden urination that is beyond your cat̵7;s control or make it uncomfortable to use the litter box.