How To Train Your Cat To Use A Litter Box

Cats are notoriously fussy about their litter boxes, and for good reason. If your cat is peeing outside of its litter box, it's usually a sign that something is wrong. The most common causes are an underlying medical condition, problems with the litter or the litter box, stress or anxiety, or behavioural issues. It's important to first rule out any medical issues with your veterinarian, who can perform a physical examination and check a urine sample. If your cat is given a clean bill of health, it's time to take a look at other factors that might be causing your cat's aversion to its litter box. This could be related to the type of litter, the cleanliness of the box, the location of the box, or other stressors in the household.

Medical issues

If your cat is peeing outside of their litter box, there are several possible medical issues that could be the cause. It's important to identify these issues as early as possible so you can work with your veterinarian to find a solution and fix the problem.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common cause of cats urinating outside of the litter box. Bacteria in the urine can affect a cat's bladder and/or kidneys, leading to inflammation. Straining to urinate, frequently urinating small amounts, and/or blood in the urine can be signs of a UTI in cats.

Crystalluria, or urinary crystals in the urine, is another possible issue. Crystals can form in a cat's urine due to abnormal urine pH, which can be genetic, caused by certain diets, or a lack of water intake. These crystals can cause microscopic inflammation in the bladder wall, leading to bacterial overgrowth and/or bladder stones.

Bladder stones, or cystic calculi, can also cause cats to urinate outside of the litter box. Stones in the bladder can roll around and cause inflammation of the bladder wall, leading to an urgency to urinate. This inflammation can also put cats at higher risk for bacterial invasion and urinary tract infections. In severe cases, bladder stones can cause a blockage of the urinary tract, which is a medical emergency.

Cats may also experience hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid gland, which can lead to increased urination. As cats age, they become more prone to hyperthyroidism, although it can occur in younger cats as well.

Degenerative joint disease or arthritis can cause pain in the joints, which may make it difficult for cats to use their litter box, especially if they have to climb or jump into it.

Kidney disease is another potential cause of inappropriate urination in cats. It can affect both young and old cats but is most commonly seen in aging cats as a chronic, progressive disease. Increased thirst and urination, decreased or picky appetites, vomiting, and weight loss are common signs of kidney disease.

Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) is a condition caused by stress or changes in the environment. Cats are creatures of habit, and any minimal change can lead to stress, such as the location of their litter box or the type of cat litter. When stressed, cats may urinate in odd places or more frequently in small amounts, and they can even get blood in their urine in severe cases. FIC can lead to urinary tract infections and potentially life-threatening urinary obstructions.

In addition to these specific conditions, cats may also experience increased urination due to other diseases such as liver disease, diabetes, or thyroid issues. If your cat has been drinking more, urinating more, or their litter box needs cleaning more often, it's important to consult your veterinarian for advice.

Dirty or inaccessible litter box

Cats are particular about their litter boxes and may avoid using them if they are dirty or inaccessible. Here are some tips to ensure your cat's litter box is accessible and clean:

Accessibility

• Place the litter box in a quiet yet active area of the house. It should be in a spot that feels "safe" to your cat but is also convenient.
• Avoid placing the litter box in the basement or anywhere that may be difficult for older cats to access.
• Keep the litter box away from noisy or heat-radiating appliances, such as the washing machine or furnace. These noises can make cats nervous, and the heat from these appliances can intensify the litter box smell.
• Ensure the litter box is not located in an area where your cat might feel trapped, such as a small room or a corner with no escape routes. Cats like to be able to see their surroundings and have multiple escape routes.
• If you have multiple cats, provide litter boxes in several locations to prevent one cat from ambushing another.
• If you keep the litter box in a closet or bathroom, ensure the door is wedged open from both sides to prevent your cat from being trapped inside or locked out.
• If you have a multi-story residence, provide at least one litter box on each level.

Cleanliness

• Scoop the litter box at least once a day, or multiple times a day if you have multiple cats.
• Deep clean the litter box at least once every one to two weeks. Use mild dish detergent, baking soda, or unscented soap to clean the box. Avoid using ammonia-based cleaners, as the ammonia smell can attract cats to urinate in the same spot again.
• Replace the litter at least once every one to two weeks, or more frequently if you notice an odour or if much of the litter is wet or clumped.
• Cats typically prefer a shallow bed of litter, about one to two inches deep.
• Use unscented, clumping litter. Odd scents can repel cats, and they may also have an aversion to scented litters.
• Avoid using box liners, as cats can get their claws caught in them, leading them to avoid the box.
• If you have multiple cats, provide one litter box per cat, plus an extra. This ensures that if one cat is being bullied, they still have a box they feel safe using.

Stress and anxiety

Cats are sensitive creatures, and stress and anxiety can cause them to urinate outside their litter box. Cats like predictability and consistency in their environment and do not react well to stress. Urinating outside the litter box can be your cat's way of letting you know that it is unhappy with changes to its environment.

Sources of Stress and Anxiety in Cats

• Introduction of a new cat or animal to the household, which can cause stress and induce territorial spraying
• A new human in the house, such as a spouse, baby, or house guest
• Absence of the owner or other human occupants for an extended period
• Death of another pet in the house
• A new cat or dog in the neighbourhood
• Changes in the environment, such as new furniture, curtains, or a rearranged layout
• Noisy appliances or machinery, like a washing machine, near the litter box
• Being stalked or ambushed by another pet while using the litter box
• Being disturbed by a person or child while using the litter box or on the way to and from it

Ways to Reduce Stress and Anxiety in Cats

• Provide your cat with a quiet place to retreat and hide when it feels threatened or stressed
• Use cat pheromone diffusers to help your cat feel more secure and relaxed
• Maintain a predictable daily routine and feeding schedule
• Provide daily play-based interaction and mental stimulation with toys
• Ensure your cat has adequate vertical space, such as tree towers, for resting and hiding
• Block outside views with static film, blinds, or translucent window coverings to minimise external stimuli
• Use synthetic pheromone products, such as Feliway, to mimic the scent of cat cheek gland secretions and reduce urine marking

Disliking the litter

Cats are particular about their litter and litter boxes, and may avoid using their litter box if it's not to their liking. Cats may dislike their litter due to a preference for a different type of litter, or because the litter has perfume or dye that is off-putting to them. Kittens learn what type of litter they prefer from their mothers at about three weeks old, and switching to a different litter when a cat is older could be the root of litter box problems.

If you're unsure why your cat dislikes their litter, you may need to try a few different types of litter to find the one that works best for your cat. Set up multiple litter boxes with different types of litter to see what your cat prefers. It's recommended to have one more litter box than the number of cats in the household, and they should be placed in different rooms.

In addition to the type of litter, other factors that may cause your cat to dislike their litter box include:

• The litter box not being cleaned frequently enough
• The litter box being too small or having a hood or liner that bothers the cat
• The litter box being located in a noisy or secluded area
• Competition or bullying from other cats in a multi-cat household

Not enough litter boxes

If your cat is peeing outside of its litter box, it could be because there are not enough litter boxes. It is recommended that you have one litter box per cat, plus an extra one. For example, if you have two cats, you should have three litter boxes.

If you have multiple cats, it's important to ensure that one cat isn't preventing the others from accessing the litter box. In this case, you should have litter boxes in different rooms, so that a timid cat can have a space to itself.

In a multilevel home, you should consider placing one box per cat on each floor. If you only have one cat, you might still need more than one box, as some cats prefer to urinate in one box and defecate in another.

It's also important to keep the litter boxes clean, scooping them at least once a day and doing a full clean once a week or two.

Frequently asked questions