How to Correct a Cat From Urinating Outside the Litter Box

Cats are known for having minds of their own, yet they do not have the verbal ability to communicate like we do. Sometimes, they will resort to using the bathroom outside of their litter box when they have something to tell us. As the human in the relationship, we are charged with playing cat detective in order to figure out and correct the cause behind the inappropriate behavior.

Things You'll Need

  • Vet
  • Litter boxes
  • Litter
  • Cat food
  • Water
  • Aluminum foil
  • Carpet runners
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Instructions

    • 1

      Bring your cat to the vet for a thorough check-up. While not a cat's favorite place to go, sometimes it is necessary to rule out a medical problem before attempting to modify a cat's behavior. Cats sometimes urinate outside of the litter box because they are not feeling well.

    • 2

      Clean the litter box and experiment with different kinds of litter. If you recently switched litter, resort to your old type of litter. Try unscented varieties, clumping, non-clumping and alternative materials such as newspaper or wood chips. Clean the litter box daily once filled with clean litter. Some cats will use the bathroom outside of the box when the cleanliness of their litter box is not up to their standards.

    • 3

      Purchase extra litter boxes and try placing them where the cat has been urinating. Once the cat has gotten used to using the new boxes, you can gradually move them closer to the old litter box until you can eliminate them completely.

    • 4

      Feed your cat near the area where she is urinating outside the box. Most cats do not like to use the bathroom near where they eat.

    • 5

      Reduce your cat's stress levels by giving them lots of attention and care. If you are in a new environment, give them limited roam in a quiet area. If necessary, look into pheromone products designed to help keep cats feeling calm.

    • 6

      Deter your cat from urinating outside of the litter box by placing aluminum foil or upside down carpet runners over the area. Many cats do not like walking on those surfaces and will leave the area alone.

    • 7

      Purchase a larger litter box, especially if you have a larger cat. It might be that she does not feel comfortable in a smaller box and will use the litter box if she has sufficient space to take care of business.

    • 8

      Retrain your cat when all of the other steps fail. Seclude them in a small room in the home, preferably a room without carpeting that has floors that are easily cleanable. Put a litter box, food and water in the room with them and gradually give them greater roam in the home as they become better at using the litter box.