1. Clean the litter box frequently. You don’t like to use a dirty bathroom, and neither does your cat.
  2.  Try switching to a different litter. Un-perfumed clay litter is often most appealing to your cat.
  3.  Add additional litter boxes. Be sure to have one more than the number of cats you have (e.g., if you have two cats, have at least three litter boxes). Cats are often territorial and may be refusing to share the box with rival cats in the house.
  4. Try Dr. Elsey’s Cat Attract Litter. The litter has a money-back guarantee. I’ve had a couple of cats that had litter box issues, and this litter was a lifesaver for me. It is a little pricey, but so worth it. Your cat’s issue will normally resolve after you have purchased just one bag of this litter.
  5. Move the litter box to a more appealing location. Often, people will put the litter box next to a loud, scary washing machine or in a cold, dark basement, which could be the reason your cat refuses to use it.
  6. Take the top of the litter box. Cats prefer uncovered boxes. Your cat may be choosing the carpet because the box is too cramped with the top on it.
  7. Buy a bigger litter box. Cats need room to dig and turn around easily in the box. Large, shallow storage bins without the lids work well as litter boxes for some kitties.
  8. Buy Feliway plug-in or spray if your cat is using one area of the house instead of the box. The ingredients in Feliway mimic cats’ pheromones, which will help to put your kitty at ease and resolve any stress-related litter box issues.
  9. Be sure to thoroughly clean the spots where your cat has had accidents with an enzymatic pet cleaner that removes all evidence of the accidents. You may not be able to detect the smell after cleaning the area, but your cat will be able to if a pet stain cleaner is not used. I’ve had success with Nature’s Miracle.
  10. If your cat still isn’t using the box faithfully, be sure to take him or her to the vet. Your cat may have a medical condition that needs to be treated. For example, if your cat is urinating on clothing, this is a sign that the kitty has a bladder infection that needs to be treated with antibiotics.

Litter box problems are one of the most frustrating problems a cat owner may have to address. However, with patience, persistence, and creativity, you can likely get to the bottom of the reason your cat is not using the box faithfully and correct this problem.

Maine Coon Litter Box 1 by {.jerry-b.}.

Image Source: jerry-b. on Flickr

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User Comments

  1. Lyta

    On October 2, 2009 at 12:58 pm

    I know it’s a behavioral issue which makes it nearly impossible to fix. She resents all the other animals and didn’t really start this consistently until I baby sat my sons new kittens. Though they were kept separate in a room they were here, then my husband also added 3 nearly year old kittens over a years time. She never acclimated to having 8 “siblings” and has urinated and defecated inappropriately over time on and off. It’s worse because of course the others will copy her behavior if I don’t “catch” the accidents in a timely manner which means policing all areas accessible (have had to shut off two rooms entirely due to her wish to use them as litter boxes and apparently nothing short of pulling up carpet (can’t afford new and raw wood isn’t good option to expose), so keep them closed off which also increases crowding and loss of window perches and napping locations. This is so frustrating.

  2. Aimee Larsen Stoddard

    On October 2, 2009 at 2:04 pm

    Hi, Lyta — I understand your frustration well. One of my kitties insists on peeing on the bed. He doesn’t pee other places–just on the bed. He started this when we moved into a new house. We’ve tried everything, but now resort to just keeping the bedroom door closed. Litter box problems can be very hard to address.

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