5 Reasons Your Cat’s Avoiding their Litterbox

One of the most common cat behavioral problems that an owner can experience today, involves the concept of “litter box aversion”. In other words, your cat doesn’t like going to his or her litterbox and ends up going to the bathroom elsewhere instead. Sometimes, figuring out how to solve the problem is simply a matter of determining what’s causing this behavior in the first place.

Today, we’ll take a look at some of the most common reasons that cats avoid their litter trays.

1.    Something’s Not Right

Cats are incredibly picky creatures, and sometimes they might avoid their litter box just because something small has changed. For instance, you might have changed the location of the litterbox slightly, the type of litter you’re using, or you could have introduced litterbox liners that your cat simple doesn’t like.

2.    There’s a Medical Issue

Cats who suffer from pain or discomfort when urinating will sometimes associate their pain with the litterbox, and seek out more comfortable places to do their business. If you can’t see any obvious reason for your cat choosing to urinate outside of the box, then you should take him or her to a vet to check for infection.

3.    The Box is Dirty

Just like you probably don’t enjoy going to the bathroom in a dirty environment, your cats don’t appreciate it either. Strong smells in the litter box can be distressing for your cat, so make sure that you scoop the box each day, and perform a complete litter change every once in a while.

4.    Mobility Issues

Older cats, or kitties with chronic injuries and illnesses like arthritis might struggle to physically make it into the litter box, or they might not be able to reach the box in time. If this is a problem, then you should consider moving the box closer to the area where your cat spends most of their time.

5.    Bullying

If you live in a household with more than one cat, there’s bound to be a few territorial issues in play that could be too subtle for you to recognize. Your cat might avoid using the litterbox if he or she doesn’t feel safe because it’s being guarded by another cat. If this is a problem for you, introducing an alternative litter box might be a good solution.

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Comments (46)
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  • robin Rue

    I think my brother’s cat was doing this and they were totally baffled about it. I am sending this to him!

  • Guest

    I think my brother’s cat was doing this and they were totally baffled about it. I am sending this to him!

  • tara pittman

    This is good info to know when we cat sit. Our friend has 2 cats that we watch.

  • colleen wool

    I found this post very interesting. I have 3 cats and I found your information useful.

  • Guest

    This is good info to know when we cat sit. Our friend has 2 cats that we watch.

  • Amber Myers

    This is great to keep in mind. I know my cats won’t use theirs if it’s dirty. They like a clean box.

  • Guest

    I found this post very interesting. I have 3 cats and I found your information useful.

  • Karlyn Cruz

    Because cats are habitually clean, Frisky may be upset by a litter box that isn’t changed often enough to suit him, even if you think every other day is OK.

  • Guest

    This is great to keep in mind. I know my cats won’t use theirs if it’s dirty. They like a clean box.

  • Shirley

    I have a cat and sometimes she behaves very different. I think there may be the reason which you have outlined in the post. Thanks for sharing.

  • Sarah Bailey

    The kitten looks adorable. These are all brilliant tips. Cats are sensitive. My friend owns a cat. She has to make a lot of adjustments in her house for the cat. It was worth though because she loves her cat so much.

  • Guest

    Because cats are habitually clean, Frisky may be upset by a litter box that isn’t changed often enough to suit him, even if you think every other day is OK.

  • Guest

    I have a cat and sometimes she behaves very different. I think there may be the reason which you have outlined in the post. Thanks for sharing.

  • Guest

    The kitten looks adorable. These are all brilliant tips. Cats are sensitive. My friend owns a cat. She has to make a lot of adjustments in her house for the cat. It was worth though because she loves her cat so much.

  • Steven Goodwin

    The only time I’ve ever had a problem with our cats not using the litter box was when we first moved into our house. I had put their litter boxes down in the basement, but they didn’t like it. I ended up having to move it up to our mud room. Once I did that, it hasn’t been an issue in about 7 years!

  • Erin

    I’ve never had a cat (not to keen on the idea of an animal using the bathroom in the house) then again my tiny dog pees on the big dog’s bed all the time so I guess I really can’t say much LOL

  • Jay Simms

    Oh, I bet it is so hard and frustrating when your cat will not use their box. These are really helpful tips for kitty owners.

  • Guest

    The only time I’ve ever had a problem with our cats not using the litter box was when we first moved into our house. I had put their litter boxes down in the basement, but they didn’t like it. I ended up having to move it up to our mud room. Once I did that, it hasn’t been an issue in about 7 years!

  • Guest

    I’ve never had a cat (not to keen on the idea of an animal using the bathroom in the house) then again my tiny dog pees on the big dog’s bed all the time so I guess I really can’t say much LOL

  • Hey Sharonoox

    I never have a cat but I have friends who has. So, I’ll be sharing it with my friends. They’re going to like the tips.

  • Guest

    Oh, I bet it is so hard and frustrating when your cat will not use their box. These are really helpful tips for kitty owners.

  • bel

    The cat on your header is so cute. This post makes so much sense. who knew animals were this sensitive?

  • Guest

    I never have a cat but I have friends who has. So, I’ll be sharing it with my friends. They’re going to like the tips.

  • Cynthia Nicoletti

    My mom was having a problem with her cat and the box. Will have to share this info with her.

  • Andrea

    I don’t have a cat, but if I ever have a friend who encounters this problem, I will be equipped to give them advice (or direct them to your blog). Cute cat!

  • Guest

    The cat on your header is so cute. This post makes so much sense. who knew animals were this sensitive?

  • Elizabeth O.

    I never thought of bullying before. It sure is good to know what signs to look out for when your cat starts urinating outside of his litter box. Thanks for this!

  • wendy

    These are good reasons to know especially if you are not a cat owner. Great way to know how your pet is feeling.

  • Guest

    My mom was having a problem with her cat and the box. Will have to share this info with her.

  • Guest

    I don’t have a cat, but if I ever have a friend who encounters this problem, I will be equipped to give them advice (or direct them to your blog). Cute cat!

  • Anosa

    Never know that cats are also bullied. This is very informative and will definitely share it to my cat-lover friends.

  • Guest

    I never thought of bullying before. It sure is good to know what signs to look out for when your cat starts urinating outside of his litter box. Thanks for this!

  • Guest

    These are good reasons to know especially if you are not a cat owner. Great way to know how your pet is feeling.

  • Guest

    Never know that cats are also bullied. This is very informative and will definitely share it to my cat-lover friends.

  • Vishal Vashisht

    I’ve never had cats as a pet and have no plans of doing so. But my brother does follow some of your suggestions. He has 3 cats and they are really nice.

  • eazynazy

    I don’t have a cat But These are really very helpful tips for cat owners

  • Guest

    I’ve never had cats as a pet and have no plans of doing so. But my brother does follow some of your suggestions. He has 3 cats and they are really nice.

  • Guest

    I don’t have a cat But These are really very helpful tips for cat owners

  • Danielle

    We don’t have any cats, so we’ve never had to deal with this. But my friend has a few cats, one of which had this problem. The issue ended up being the type of litter she was using. She had switched it up (because a different brand was on sale) and once she returned to the regular litter she was using, the problem stopped.

  • Guest

    We don’t have any cats, so we’ve never had to deal with this. But my friend has a few cats, one of which had this problem. The issue ended up being the type of litter she was using. She had switched it up (because a different brand was on sale) and once she returned to the regular litter she was using, the problem stopped.

  • Emma

    We ended up training the cats to go outdoors -they started with a letterbox but we moved it closer and closer the backdoor until it was outside and now they go in the garden. I know its not an option for everyone but I just couldn’t stand the smell indoors!

  • Guest

    We ended up training the cats to go outdoors -they started with a letterbox but we moved it closer and closer the backdoor until it was outside and now they go in the garden. I know its not an option for everyone but I just couldn’t stand the smell indoors!

  • Mardene R Carr

    Well that looks like one very annoyed cat..LOL. I am not a cat person so there would not be any cat in or near my house for this.

  • Guest

    Well that looks like one very annoyed cat..LOL. I am not a cat person so there would not be any cat in or near my house for this.

  • Guest

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