Behavior Challenges: Litter Box Issues

A Sign That Something is Wrong  

Cats love to be clean, and using a litter box typically comes naturally. Most kittens and cats don't need to be trained to use a litter box — pop a tiny kitten into a box and they know what to do! That's why, when a cat stops using their litter box, it’s often a sign of a medical or behavioral concern.  

It's important to understand that, by choosing not to use the litter box, your cat is showing you that they are struggling. They are not doing it because they are being naughty or spiteful. This behavior is the cat equivalent of holding up a huge neon sign that says, "HELP!" Here’s how you can help them — and get them using the litter box again.  

Why Cats Stop Using the Litter Box

Medical reasons and stress are the most common reasons a cat will stop using a litter box or change their behavior in relation to it. Therefore, a trip to your veterinarian is warranted, especially if litter box problems are also accompanied by changes in appetite, activity level, sleeping patterns or other distinct behavioral changes.  

Cats are creatures of habit and do best with a predictable routine and environment. They can be extremely sensitive to stress, and it can take days to over a week for their stress levels (and blood chemistry) to return to normal. When a cat suddenly becomes stressed, you may see changes in their behavior — including use of the litter box. 

The more we train our cats to feel comfortable and confident in their environment, the more resilient they're likely to be when changes and challenges occur. Our 5-week Shy Cat class can help with this. It’s available live online for cats who experience either general or situational fear/shyness.  

Household Changes 

Changes in the household — including new people or pets or changes to routine — can be extremely stressful for cats and can result in changes in litter box use. Even something minor to you, such as rearranging furniture, can be unsettling to a cat. This doesn’t mean you can’t do these things, just be sensitive and watch for any behavioral or litter box changes.  

When you know changes are coming, try to plan for them as much as you can. This might involve speaking to a vet about medications, using calming pheromone sprays like Feliway, adding additional litter boxes or doing training related to the changes. Make sure your cat has a litter box available in the room where they feel safest, in a place they can easily access. Moving a litter box further from your cat’s safe space won't build confidence and can result in your cat choosing not to use the litter box.  

Moving 

Moving is very stressful for cats — whether it's into your home as a new pet or into a new home with you. Even for confident cats, it’s a good idea to restrict your cat to a single room when you first move with all their supplies, including the litter box for at least a day or two, remembering to keep the food and litter separated. This is also a good way to keep your cat safe in case you're still moving things into or around the home! Gradually increase your cat’s space until they can freely roam the house. Allowing immediate access to the entire home may lead to your cat hiding somewhere farther from their litter box than you anticipated. In some cases, they may feel unsafe returning to use the box as they try to process all the changes that come with being in a new home. 

If you can, set up a space for your cat in your new home that mimics the old set-up, even if you plan to change it as you get settled. If your cat sleeps on the bed, try keeping your old bedding on it for the first week so it smells more familiar than freshly laundered sheets.  

Cats are territorial, and they may mark their scent or go to the bathroom outside of the litter box when or where they smell other cats in their space. Sometimes, if there were other cats previously in the home (especially if they ever had litter box challenges), your cat may go where the previous cat went rather than where you would like them to go. 

Pro Tip: It may be helpful to keep blinds closed in the room where your cat will be spending most of their time. By reducing their ability to see unfamiliar animals outside, you can help them feel more comfortable in their new space. Be sure to have some enzymatic cleaner on hand (like Nature’s Miracle) and be patient — your kitty is going through a lot!  

Leaving Cats Alone 

Because most cats need their box cleaned daily, it's important to take this into consideration when traveling without your cat, especially if your cat also struggles with people visiting the home. Invite friends, family or cat sitters over to start building a relationship with your cat prior to your trip and ensure someone can visit daily to clean the box and provide fresh food and water. For more fearful cats, recommend your cat sitter makes a quick, quiet visit and consider adding an additional box to the space where your cat feels safest when you're not around. The tips in our Introducing Pets lecture can also be applied to people!  

Multiple Cats 

When cats struggle with social dynamics, it can result in litter box issues, including stalking and ambushing around the litter box itself. For instance, if one cat stalks the other, the stalked cat may feel they are unable to get to the box or may be ambushed when they try to use it. For more tips on inter-cat dynamics check out this resource on introducing cats or join us live online for some cat training classes! 

Cats outside your home may also impact your cat’s litter box habits, whether your cat sees, hears or smells them. For example, if you have a male cat who has not been neutered, other male cats or females in heat outside of your home may cause your cat to spray to mark his territory. Restricting a cat’s space — especially if they’re nervous or bothered by another cat — can lower the chances of accidents. Try this by closing blinds or even reducing access to a particular room that might offer the most visual access to the other cat.  

Pro Tip: Having a male cat neutered usually stops him from spraying and helping with TNR (Trap Neuter Release) efforts for unowned community cats in your neighborhood can also decrease urine marking or inappropriate elimination. As a bonus — it will also help reduce the number of homeless kittens in the community! Learn more about our Community Cat Program and how you can help. 

More Behavior & Training Resources 

San Diego Humane Society offers training classes and resources to address a variety of needs for companion animals. 

Our training philosophy is based on the behavioral science concepts of positive reinforcement. Training your pet using these concepts will not only help them learn new behaviors more quickly, but it will also strengthen the bond you share. 

Please visit our website for a current schedule of training classes or call 619-279-5961.