Why does my cat poop in litter box but not pee?

House soiling is high on the list of reasons for cat adopters to book consultations. A cat never stops using the litter box for no reason; soiling can have many causes but is never done out of spite or revenge. Here are the mistakes to avoid to stop your cat from peeing or pooping outside the litter box.

Error 1: Not consulting the veterinarian

The first step when your cat urinates outside its litter box is to rule out any medical cause by seeing your veterinarian as soon as possible. Some health problems can lead to inappropriate elimination and must be diagnosed and treated properly. Otherwise, no matter what you do, your cat will continue to do its business where it shouldn’t.  Even marking – or spraying – problems can be linked to a disease. Cats that haven’t been spayed or neutered (male or female) are prone to marking and fixing them should solve the problem. Either way, a visit to the veterinarian is in order!

Error 2: Having only one litter box

There is only one easy rule to remember: one bin more than the number of cats in your home! You have one cat? You need two litter boxes. You have two cats? You need three litter boxes and so on! There are several reasons for this, a main one being that some cats don’t like to use a dirty litter box. Others prefer to use one box for pooping and another for peeing. Having that extra box could prevent elimination problems.

Should several cats share a litter box, one may ‘guard’ it and keep the other cats from using it, the litter box being a resource. A cat could also be waiting for another to finish doing its business and tackle or chase it, causing the ‘victim’ to either finish elsewhere in the house or stop using the litter box altogether.

Error 3: Placing all litter boxes in one location

Having two, three or four bins lined up next to each other in the same room is no different than having a single large litter box. Make sure that the bins are located in different rooms. If you live in a multistory house, there should be one (or more) bins per floor in different rooms.

Error 4: Litter box being too small

The size of the litter box is essential. A cat should be able to stand in it entirely, tail included. Don’t use your kitten as a reference, because it will get bigger! The ideal box is an 80L clear Rubbermaid TM bin, without a cover. Clear sides allow the cat to look around and therefore feel safe in the box. 

Error 5: Having an automatic/self-cleaning litter box

This seemingly good idea is actually pretty bad. While a self-cleaning litter box has undeniable appeal, only humans benefit from it. These boxes are too small, prevent the cat from seeing outside, and the mechanical sounds may spook cats.

Toilet-training kits can be purchased to teach your cat to use the toilet. This may be a neat party trick, but should also be avoided, because there’s nothing natural for a cat or kitten to pee or poop in the toilet. Imagine having to stand on the side of an above-ground swimming pool to relieve yourself.

Error 6: Having a lid on the litter box

Cats generally prefer uncovered litter boxes, which provide more room and a better view, as well as an easy way out should another cat block the sole exit.

Error 7: Letting the litter box get dirty 

The cleanliness of the litter boxes is a must. Removal of stool and urine should be done at least once a day, ideally two, especially in a multi-cat home. Complete substrate replacement and litter box cleaning should be done approximately once a month (or more depending on the type of substrate used).

Error 8: Cleaning the tray with deodorants, disinfectants or odour eliminators

What products should you use to clean a litter box? Dish soap and hot water are your best options. Steer clear of disinfectants, deodorizers or so-called odour eliminators, the smell of which is often too strong for a cat’s sensitive nose. A strong smell could prevent the cat from using the litter box. However, some baking soda can be safely added to the litter to help control the smell. Clean objects and surfaces soiled by feces or urine with odour neutralizers (enzymatic products, Uri Clean TM, K.O.E. TM, etc.) to remove odours from the floor, carpet, mattress or couch. If the cat peed on the bed, make sure the urine hasn’t seeped all the way through the mattress. Clothes, bed sheets and other fabrics can be cleaned in the washing machine with regular detergent. Don’t use enzymatic products to clean litter boxes.

Error 9: Choosing an unsuitable cat litter (substrate)

The type of substrate used is of the utmost importance. If you have to remember one thing when you find yourself in front of the wall of substrate bags at the pet store, it’s this: soft and comfortable. Clay is usually the substrate to prioritize. Choose a substrate that is unscented and low dust, as strong smells are unpleasant and dust can irritate the cat’s nose and eyes when it scratches to bury its business. Try to avoid silica litter, which is very uncomfortable for cats’ paws. Some biodegradable and compostable substrates are also available on the market and may be very suitable for your cat. Keep in mind that the substrate you choose should be soft and comfortable!

Error 10: Saving on the amount of litter

There needs to be enough substrate in the bin so the cat can scratch, dig a “hole” and bury its business afterwards. Three to four inches deep is recommended. This means adding a bit of litter in the litter box after daily cleaning, if necessary.

Error 11: concealing the litter box

Unfortunately, as humans, we often tend to hide litter boxes in very dark areas of the house, such as the cold laundry room, at the end of the dim, narrow hallway in the unfinished basement. However, what we consider appropriate doesn’t suit the cat at all. Picture yourself having to use a backhouse in winter at -10 degrees in the middle of the night, and suddenly hearing a loud ‘bang’. Not very appealing, is it?

Litter boxes should be placed in rooms frequented by the family and cats, without being too busy (the living room or office, for example, but not the playroom). Avoid hiding the box behind a piece of furniture; if a cat’s view of its surroundings is hindered, it may refuse to use the litter box. Food and water shouldn’t be anywhere near litter boxes, as cats, like us, would rather not eat in the restroom. If you have a dog, litter boxes should be out of reach (on a chest of drawers, cabinet or shelf, behind a baby gate) to keep the dog from disturbing the cat.

Error 12: reprimanding  your  cat

Do not punish or reprimand your cat for peeing or pooping outside of the litter box. Reprimand (insérer lien réprimande) seldom works and, in the rare occasion when it does, is often at the detriment of your relationship with your cat; it will be scared and the trust between the two of you will be affected. Reprimand usually takes place long after the cat has had an ‘accident’, and it won’t understand why it’s being scolded. Remember that cats soil for a reason, which is never to defy you or seek revenge (lien émotions complexes). Something is preventing your cat from using its litter box, and you must figure out what it is and address it.

Conclusion

The first thing you should do when your cat pees or poops outside of its litter box is to have it examined by the veterinarian to rule out any medical cause to the behaviour. Then, ask yourself the following: how many litter boxes do you have? Are they self-cleaning? Are you using a toilet-training kit? Are the boxes covered? When and how do you clean them? What type of litter are you using? Is there enough? Too much? Where are the litter boxes? Have you traumatized the cat into avoiding the litter box by punishing it? Your answers should point you in the right direction. By applying the advice provided in this column, keeping your cat from soiling the house should be a breeze. Should the problem continue, contact us for targeted advice.

Translated and adapted from French by Elen Dupuis, Cat Educator and Biologist

French written by Kym Lecault, Cat Educator and Animal Health Technician

Many cats tend to ignore pooping in the litterbox whereas they have no problem peeing. Even if you’re positive about the fact that the issue is behavioral, you should have your cat inspected by a veterinarian to ensure there isn’t an underlying medical issue.

There are a variety of medical conditions that might be causing your cat to avoid pooping in the litter box.

Cats prefer to have two litterboxes- one for peeing and the other for pooping. They do not like to pee and poop in the same litterbox. If you don’t have a separate litterbox for them to poop in, they will simply poop on the floor or the bathtub.

In this article, we would be discussing the reasons why cats pee but not poop in the litterbox and how to deal with this issue as a responsible cat owner.

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Why Does My Cat Pee But Not Poop In The Litterbox?

Cats need two separate litterboxes for peeing and pooping. Many senior cats poop on the floor instead of litterboxes due to medical issues.

If she has constipation, she may link the box with her discomfort and try to relieve herself someplace else. If your cat is elderly and has arthritis, perching on the litter substrate to expel solids may be challenging for her.

If you have a covered litter box, she can feel claustrophobic while perching to defecate.

Defecating beyond the box is prevalent in cats with a variety of digestive issues (inflammatory bowel disease, for example). She may have cramps, which prompts her to try to relieve herself wherever she is at the moment. She may possibly grow so agitated that she is unable to reach the box.

It is recommended to take her to your veterinarian to rule out any medical issues, and if that isn’t the case, your veterinarian can talk to you about behavioral approaches to get her to defecate in her box. Take a sample of her excrement to the veterinarian to be examined.

Begin by obtaining a second box to be placed adjacent to the first. Make sure the litter boxes are clean as well. If this doesn’t work, speak with your veterinarian.

Also, bear in mind that things may be a lot worse. The cat might be pooping in the litter box and peeing outside of it, or even worse, doing both.

Your cat is most likely attempting to communicate that it does not want to share the same little space for two separate purposes.

Even cats that use the same litter box for both wastes may frequently turn and utilize other places. Some, on the other hand, make a point of employing distinct boxes.

Cats are unique individuals with a wide range of behaviors that stem from their deepest impulses. As a result, while the inclination may be the same, how they personally exhibit it might be extremely different.

As a result, there is no one guideline that applies to a cat’s preferred potty activity. If you’re having trouble, consider adding additional boxes, larger boxes, and more regular scooping and litter changes. Individual cats may respond differently to different brands and types of litter.

Clumping litter and Pine Nuggets are the easiest to maintain and clean for the longest time. The cheapest litters quickly become contaminated and must be replaced in order for the cat to find them pleasant to use.

Also, check out why is my elderly cat suddenly pooping on the floor

How Can I Get My Cat To Stop Pooping On The Floor?

The best way to stop your cat from pooping on the floor is by adding another litterbox for your cat.

Blocking off the locations he’s utilizing as an alternate box, depending on where he’s peeing and pooping, is a decent short-term option. Closing him in a tiny space (like as a bathroom) with his litterbox can also help him develop good litterbox habits.

If your cat has a terrible relationship with the old box, you might want to try a new one. Try a shallow box in another section of the basement if your present boxes are deep and covered.

Go around your house and discover all of your cat’s previous accidents, then clean them up. If your cat detects the odor of past urine or excrement in a basement corner, he may decide to urinate there again. So use a cleaner specifically designed for pet urine to thoroughly clean it!

This may include playing music at work, offering him daily play periods with a decent wand toy (even if he just watches), giving him daily goodies via a puzzle toy, or simply spending extra time with him.

All of these will make him feel less stressed. Remember that stress is a common cause of litterbox problems!

Many cats refuse to use a litter box. Even if your cat has always been a trooper when it comes to getting his paws filthy, he may be becoming fussier as he gets older. Scoop the box at least once a day, if not twice a day.

Again, this appears to be voodoo, yet Feliway may be really beneficial in specific situations. It’s a relaxing pheromone that may be used as a spray or in a wall diffuser. There are a lot of folks I know who swear by it. It can’t hurt, as far as I can tell.

When it comes to your cat pooping on the floor, there isn’t much of a quick remedy when it comes to training. Make sure the litterbox troubles aren’t caused by a medical condition. Then improving litterbox arrangement and lowering stress levels are your best bets.

Some diffusers and other devices can assist, but they are unlikely to address the problem on their own.

Something in your home may have changed that your cat doesn’t like, and avoiding the litter box might be their way of communicating this to you.

This might be stressful for your creature of habit if you’ve recently welcomed another pet or human into your house, moved, or even merely changed the furniture.

Give it some time, and encourage or reward excellent litter box usage with the things your kitten enjoys the most from you–love, snacks, stroking, play…whatever it takes to tell her that she is still your number one priority.

If your cat isn’t feeling well, whether, for a simple or complicated reason, she may let you know by leaving an unpleasant treat for you.

Consult your veterinarian right away if you’ve done everything else and the habit appears out of nowhere–without any big changes to your kitty’s box, routine, or household.

Also, check out home remedies to stop cats from pooping on carpet

How Do You Discipline A Cat For Pooping Outside The Litterbox?

A cat poops outside the litterbox due to inappropriate elimination and poor litterbox training. You need to treat him like a kitten and then give him proper training.

First and foremost, scoop clumps from the litter box on a daily basis and thoroughly clean them on a regular basis.

This entails discarding the old litter, washing the empty box with mild dish detergent and warm water, rinsing it with clean water, allowing it to air dry, and replacing it with a new, unscented supply of litter (sometimes scented litter is unappealing to finicky cats).

Use rubber gloves and a face mask whenever you touch your cat’s litter box to protect yourself from minute bugs and litter dust.

If your cat seems to be drawn to a particular place, such as a bath mat, attempt to keep it out of the room by using a baby gate or closing/locking the door.

Simultaneously, encourage your pet to use its litter box properly by placing it far away from its food and drink bowls in a quiet, private spot that’s simple to access.

If you’ve acquired a second cat, rather than trying to make both cats share a litter box, consider adding multiple litter boxes. One litter box for each cat plus one extra is the ideal amount of litter boxes.

If you have two cats, this implies you should have three litter boxes. It’s worth noting that the boxes must be in completely distinct locations.

If you can’t limit your cat’s access to a specific place, consider putting down aluminum foil or spraying the area with a kitty-safe repellent. The idea is to make the improper place as unappealing as possible to the cat.

Examine the surface on which your cat loves to defecate and try to replicate it in the litter box. If your cat prefers tile, for example, leave the litter box’s bottom bare. If it’s going to be used on paper, line the bottom of the box with paper; if it’s going to be used on carpet, put a carpet remnant in the box.

If your cat defecates outside the litter box despite your best attempts, wipe the area completely with an enzymatic cleaner so your kitty doesn’t pick up the aroma and believe it’s OK to go there again.

Check out more details about How To Discipline A Cat For Peeing Outside The Litter Box?

Frequently Asked Questions

Try unscented litter if you’ve been using scented litter. Playing with your cat near her litter box is a good idea. Also, in the surrounding area leading to her box, provide food and toys for her to locate and enjoy. However, don’t put her food dish next to the litter box because cats don’t like to excrete near their food.

Cats may poop on the floor due to a medical condition, stress, or a filthy litter box. Whether the behavior began suddenly, consult a veterinarian first to rule out a medical issue, and then note if anything noteworthy has occurred in the cat’s life, such as the addition of a new pet or the death of a buddy.

Issues with the box or litter, unhappiness with the location or quantity of boxes, changes in the environment within or outside the house, and undiscovered medical concerns are all reasons why cats quit using their litter boxes.

Final Words

Make sure to provide your cats with an extra litterbox to poop or else they are going to poop here and there and damage your whole house. Cats that have not been properly trained must be taken special care of.

Leave your questions in the comments section below.

Also, check out Why Is My Nursing Cat Not Peeing Or Pooping After Birth?

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