Is Your Cat Pooping Outside the Litterbox?

Today we have a reader question about a specific litterbox problem–her cat is pooping outside the litterbox.

I have a male cat who uses the litter box to urinate but then jumps out to defecate – or, visa versa. He defecates wherever he is – on the table, counter, any room in the house – but will RUN to the litter box to urinate.

I have 7 cats, 12 litter boxes (huge Rubbermaid boxes since he’s a big boy and stands to urinate.) What is up with THAT behavior? He’s been to the vet and has nothing wrong with him. Thank you.

I know it’s so tough when they start going outside the litter box but sometimes some trial and error can help correct the problem.

Rule out medical issues.

It sounds like you’ve already done that one. Sometimes defecation outside the box can be cause by impacted anal glands as well as other problems; the cat starts to associate the pain of going with the litter box and avoids it.

And be sure his reluctance to enter the litterbox isn’t associated with urinary pain, too.

Make sure you’ve cleaned all the soiled areas really, really well.

Although you might have cleaned the soiled areas with great cleansers, if you didn’t use an enzymatic cleaner, a cat can still detect the smell (even though we can’t) and return to the scene of the crime.

Consider using multiple kinds of litter.

If you don’t already, consider using a couple of kinds of litter so your cat has some options; some want to urinate on one kind of litter and poop on another kind of litter. (And some won’t urinate and defecate in the same box, although it sounds like he has plenty of choices in terms of boxes.)

Be sure the litter boxes are in numerous areas so one or two cats don’t rule the roost.

Sometimes cats are secure in running to the box areas for a quick pee but get worried about going to a litter box area for defecation since that takes longer.

Consider moving a litter box close to where he’s gone to the bathroom outside the litter box; he’s shown that he’s comfortable defecating in that space.

Put a litter box near that spot and see if he’ll use it. Slowly, slowly (maybe even an inch a day) start moving that litter box where you’d like it to be.

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Help - my cat won't poop in the litterbox

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Paris Permenter

Founder at CatTipper

Paris Permenter is an award-winning author of 35+ pet and travel books. Along with her husband John Bigley, Paris is the founder and publisher of CatTipper & DogTipper. Paris and John share their home with three cats and two dogs.