Cat Not Using the Litter Box? Here’s Why and How to Fix It Now
Editor’s Note: Updated for 2026 with the latest veterinary guidance, new FAQs, troubleshooting tips, and current product recommendations. Prices may vary.
This post may include affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Am I the only cat parent who loves pouring fresh litter into a squeaky clean litter box? Zero odor, zero mess, no dust; just clean, unadulterated, brand new cat litter. There’s something so satisfying about knowing my kitty, Olivia, has a pristine place to do her business.
But sometimes our cats just don’t feel the same way. With our best attempts to give them what they need, every now and then our cats decide to do their business outside of the box. If your cat isn’t using the litter box, it can be gross and frustrating, I know. You may even feel slighted!
But if your cat is peeing or even pooping outside the litter box, chances are they’re trying to tell you something. Trust me, your cat didn’t stop using her box out of spite, so avoid scolding her. It could make the problem worse! It’s especially important to get down to the bottom of the issue because litter box problems could be the sign of a sick cat.
A sudden change in bathroom habits should always be taken seriously. Urinary problems can become dangerous quickly, especially in male cats who may develop a urinary blockage.
Why Is My Cat Not Using The Litter Box?
Cats have a well-earned reputation for being subtle and mysterious. Unfortunately for their pet parents, that makes decoding them a little tricky. But here are some common reasons why your cat isn’t using the litter box:
It Could Be A Sign That Your Cat Is Sick:
If your kitty has suddenly stopped using the litter box, the cause could be her health. Veterinarian, Dr. Liz Bales says the number one reason for a cat to poop outside of the litter box is a medical problem.
Pay a visit to your veterinarian. They may recommend a physical examination, urinalysis, bloodwork, fecal testing, X-rays, or other diagnostic tests depending on your cat’s symptoms.
Medical conditions associated with litter-box problems can include:
- Urinary tract inflammation or infection
- Bladder stones or crystals
- Feline idiopathic cystitis
- Kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Hyperthyroidism
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Arthritis or another painful condition
- Cognitive changes in senior cats
Call your veterinarian promptly if your cat repeatedly enters the box, strains, cries, produces only small drops of urine, urinates blood, excessively licks the genital area, vomits, hides, or suddenly becomes lethargic.
A cat that is straining but producing little or no urine may have a urinary obstruction. This is an emergency, particularly in male cats, and requires immediate veterinary care. Do not wait to see whether it improves on its own.
Check your cat’s health with this free checklist.
Your Cat Is A Senior:
Unfortunately, senior cats tend to have more problems with the litter box. They may develop medical conditions that change their bathroom behaviors. For example, about 95% of cats 10 years and older, are diagnosed with hyperthyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism is most commonly diagnosed in middle-aged and older cats. One frequently cited statistic is that approximately 95% of cats diagnosed with hyperthyroidism are at least 10 years old. That does not mean 95% of all cats over age 10 will develop the disease.
Feline hyperthyroidism can cause increased thirst and urination which might explain why your cat is peeing outside of the litter box.
Kidney disease in older cats can also cause frequent urination, which means your cat may end up peeing everywhere except in her box! And arthritis may make it more difficult for your geriatric kitty to even get to her box, leading to accidents.
Senior cats may benefit from a large, uncovered litter box with a low entry. Place at least one box on every level of the home your cat regularly uses, and avoid making an older cat climb stairs to reach her only bathroom. Nightlights can also help cats experiencing vision or cognitive changes find their boxes.
Bottom line: if your cat is not using the litter box, it might be a sign that your cat is sick. So talk to your veterinarian right away to rule out any serious medical issues.
Pin Me!
Your Cat Is Spraying:
It’s hard to think of a more offensive cat behavior. But if your kitty is peeing in the litter box and spraying, this is a behavior issue and likely not a medical problem.
When cats spray, they usually stand with their tail raised and deposit a small amount of urine on a vertical surface, such as a wall, curtain, or piece of furniture. When cats urinate outside the box, they usually squat and leave a larger puddle on a horizontal surface.
Spraying is often connected to territorial stress, conflict with another cat, outdoor cats visible through windows, household changes, or mating behavior. However, medical problems should still be ruled out, especially when the behavior begins suddenly.
Check out one of my other blog posts to learn more about how to permanently stop your cat from spraying.
Your Cat May Be Anxious:
Pet anxiety is a topic near and dear to me. As a pet living expert, I’ve worked for years to help as many pet parents as possible learn the symptoms of anxiety. My pup, Tulip, suffers from anxiety and it breaks my heart to see her suffer. Cats can struggle with pet anxiety too. And peeing or pooping outside of the litter box may be a tell-tale sign that your kitty is stressed out.
The cause of cat anxiety isn’t always due to major trauma. The reason could be as simple as a change in daily routine or the addition of a new family member (or fur family member). If there are multiple cats in the home, your kitty could even be anxious because of conflict with another cat! This conflict is not always obvious. One cat may quietly guard the hallway, stare at another cat, block access to the box, or chase the other cat after she finishes using it.
Regardless, if your cat is peeing outside the litter box because she’s stressed, there are solutions that can help.
One of my favorite calming solutions for general anxiety in cats is a calming diffuser by Feliway. 
Feliway products are support tools, not substitutes for veterinary care or changes to an unsuitable litter-box setup. Results vary, and it may take several weeks to notice a difference. Plug the diffuser into an open outlet in the room where your cat spends the most time, rather than behind furniture or underneath a shelf.
As of this 2026 update, a 30-day Feliway starter kit generally costs approximately $30–$45, while individual 30-day refills are commonly around $21–$30. Prices vary by formula and retailer.
What to Do If Your Cat Is Not Using The Litter Box
Once your cat gets a clean bill of health from the vet, the easiest solution to her bathroom problems may be staring you right in the face: her litter box! That’s right. The answer may be as easy as making changes to her box and litter.
Just like humans, cats really care about where they do their business. So when choosing the right cat litter and box, remember: it’s not about what’s convenient for us, it’s all about what your cat wants. But isn’t that always the case?
Choose the Right Size Litter Box
Picking the right litter box can save you a lot of headaches and litter-box drama. Many commercial boxes are too small for an adult cat to comfortably enter, turn around, dig, and eliminate without touching the sides.
A commonly recommended guideline is to choose a box that is approximately one and a half times the length of your cat, measured from her nose to the base of her tail. Large plastic storage containers or cement-mixing trays can sometimes provide more room than traditional litter boxes, provided your cat can enter them easily.
For kittens, seniors, and cats with arthritis or mobility limitations, choose a box with at least one low entry. High sides around the remaining edges can still help contain litter and urine.
Picking the right litter box will save you a lot of headache and litter box drama. Most boxes are too small for your cat to feel comfortable when she’s doing her business. The ideal size of your next litter box can be measured from the length from your cat’s nose to the tip of her tail, plus another fifty percent.
Don’t Cramp Kitty’s Style, Lose the Hood
From our perspective, it makes sense to keep a potentially, smelly litter box covered. But our cats don’t feel the same way. Imagine how much you dislike using a small, dark smelly bathroom.
If you keep the box uncovered, your cat is more likely to feel comfortable and less likely to do her business outside of her litter box.
Covered boxes can trap odors and make it easier for another pet to surprise or corner the cat using the box. However, every cat is different. If your cat reliably uses a covered box, you don’t necessarily need to replace it. The goal is to offer options and observe what she prefers.
You Need More Than One Litter Box
Every cat is unique. But most prefer having more than one litter box. And if there are multiple cats in the home, then multiple litter boxes are a must!
Here’s a good rule of thumb: one box per cat in your family, plus one. So if you have one cat, plan for two boxes. If you have two cats, plan for three boxes.
Place the boxes in separate locations. Three boxes lined up beside one another may feel like a single bathroom station to your cats and won’t help if one cat guards that area.
In a multilevel home, place at least one box on each level your cats use.
Check the Location of the Litter Box
A good place to start is by putting her litter box in a private place, where she feels safe. Can she quickly escape if she wants?
Most cats hate feeling cornered. Also, cats don’t like to do their business near their food and water bowls. If you have a senior cat, be sure the box is easily accessible and not too far away from where she likes to spend her time.
Avoid placing the only box next to a noisy washing machine, furnace, dog crate, frequently slammed door, or another appliance that may suddenly turn on. A frightening experience near the box can cause a cat to avoid that location.
If your cat repeatedly eliminates in one particular area, temporarily place a litter box there when practical. Once she uses it consistently, you can gradually move it a few inches at a time toward a more suitable location.
Keep reading here about the 6 litter box secrets your cat wants you to know.
Choose a Litter Your Cat Actually Likes
Many cats prefer a soft, fine-textured, unscented clumping litter. Strong perfumes, deodorizing additives, large pellets, sharp crystals, or an abrupt change in texture may cause some cats to avoid the box.
Fill the box with approximately one to two inches of litter unless your cat clearly prefers a different depth. More litter is not always better, especially for cats that dislike unstable footing.
When trying a new litter, don’t immediately replace every box. Offer the new litter in one clean box beside a box containing the familiar litter. This gives your cat a choice and helps you see which one she prefers.
Keep the Litter Box Clean
Cats are notorious for staying clean. Most are pretty picky about keeping their paws from getting dirty too.
Scoop your kitty’s box regularly, daily even, to encourage her to use the box instead of peeing outside or next to the litter box. In a multicat household or when a cat is experiencing litter-box trouble, scooping twice daily may be helpful. Add fresh litter as needed to maintain your cat’s preferred depth.
Periodically empty and wash the box with mild, unscented soap and warm water. Avoid strongly scented cleaners, ammonia-based products, bleach residue, and heavy perfumes that may repel your cat or irritate her sensitive sense of smell. Replace badly scratched plastic boxes because scratches can trap odor.
If her litter box smells clean, she’s more likely to use it.
And speaking of smells. If your cat does pee or poop outside of the box, it’s crucial that you clean it promptly and properly. I recommend using an enzymatic cleaner like this one by my Kinderbean brand. Instead of simply removing the mess and masking the odor, an enzymatic cleaner will release active enzymes that feed on ammonia left behind in pet urine and other organic materials.
So not only does it remove stains, but it also eliminates the odor at its source. This discourages re-soiling. So if your cat doesn’t smell where she’s been doing her business, she’s less likely to return to the scene of the accident!
Follow the cleaner’s directions carefully, test it on an inconspicuous area first, and use enough product to reach as deeply as the urine did. Avoid steam-cleaning urine stains before treating them because heat may set the odor into carpet fibers.
Be Careful With Automatic Litter Boxes
Automatic litter boxes can make scooping more convenient, but they aren’t the right choice for every cat. Some cats are frightened by the movement or sound, while others dislike the enclosed design or small interior.
If you introduce an automatic box, keep at least one familiar traditional box available during the transition. Leave the automatic cleaning function turned off at first so your cat can investigate it without being startled. Never force your cat into the box.
Pay attention to the manufacturer’s minimum age and weight requirements. Small kittens may not reliably activate weight sensors, and some automatic boxes are not intended for kittens below a specified weight.
Why I Love My Natural Cat Litter
Perhaps the most obvious solution if your cat isn’t using the litter box is to change your litter. If you’ve been following me for a while, then you know that I’m paws over tail in love with World’s Best Cat Litter™! I think it’s safe to say that Olivia loves it too because she faithfully uses her litter box.
Their formulas are made with whole-kernel corn and only the best and safest ingredients. The odor control is amazing and it clumps and scoops like a breeze, making clean up quick and easy.
I personally use their Multi-Cat Lavender Scented formula and it works great for us.
Because many cats prefer unscented litter, the brand’s unscented formulas may be a better starting point when you’re actively troubleshooting litter-box avoidance. A litter that works beautifully for one cat may not be accepted by another.
The original, unscented formula is a huge hit with cat moms and dads everywhere. It has outstanding odor control and a tight clumping
World’s Best Cat Litter™ also makes formulas specifically for cats who are having problems using the litter box. So if your feline bestie has decided to stop using her box or is all of a sudden peeing everywhere, except in her box, then it might be time to make the switch to one of these World’s Best Cat Litters™:
- Picky Cat™ – Some cats are very picky and if that’s the case with your kitty, then this cat litter formula is for you. This multi-cat, clumping litter contains plant-based ingredients that naturally draw your cat to the box. Try it out with newly adopted cats, kittens, seniors, or any cat that is picky and not using the litter box.
- Attraction Action® – This high-performance litter has a natural plant-based additive that safely draws your cat to the box. It addresses three common reasons cats don’t go in their litter box: scent, texture, and cleanliness. It’s perfect if your cat has stopped using her box and will help you avoid any future accidents.
Another thing I love about World’s Best Cat Litter™ is that they’re socially responsible. Through their #GIVEACRAP campaign, they’re donating up to 3 million pounds of litter — one for each of the estimated 3 million cats that end up in a shelter each year. If you love helping shelter cats, please #GIVEACRAP and donate!
Here’s where you can learn more about their campaign. When you choose World’s Best Cat Litter™, you’re helping your kitty and millions more.
A Quick Litter-Box Reset Plan
After medical problems have been addressed or ruled out, try this reset:
- Provide one large box per cat, plus one extra.
- Place the boxes in separate, quiet, accessible locations.
- Offer at least one uncovered box.
- Use fine-textured, unscented litter in at least one box.
- Keep the litter approximately one to two inches deep.
- Scoop at least once daily.
- Clean accidents thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner.
- Prevent pets or people from blocking access to the boxes.
- Avoid punishment and sudden litter changes.
- Contact your veterinarian again if the problem continues or new symptoms appear.
So, if your cat suddenly stops using the litter box, don’t despair. Once your veterinarian rules out medical or behavior issues as the cause, chances are, your cat is trying to tell you that she’s ready to dump her old litter. Give World’s Best Cat Litter™ a try and put an end to your litter box woes.
Your cat isn’t trying to punish you. She’s communicating that something about her health, environment, or bathroom setup isn’t working. Once you identify the cause and make the right changes, you’ll have a much better chance of putting those litter-box woes behind you.
Chew on this: I may receive a small commission for affiliate links, but all products I “dig up” are ones I paw-thentically love!
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