One of the most common reasons cat behavior consultants are called for help is because someone’s cat isn’t using the litter box consistently. Litter box problems often start for one of three reasons:
- The cat has a medical condition, such as urinary crystals or inflammation, or a gastrointestinal issue such as diarrhea
- The litter box does not suit the cat’s needs
- There are stressors in the cat’s environment
If you are lucky enough to have a cat who is using the litter box consistently, do what you can to KEEP IT THAT WAY! Just like we have likes and preferences when it comes to our bathroom (hey, no one loves an outhouse, am I right?), so do our cats. And sometimes cats can be VERY particular!!
Here are some quick tips on making sure your cat enjoys their litter box experience:
- Make sure your litter boxes are large, open and pristine. We’re big fans of converted storage bins.
- Scoop at least once, but ideally twice a day. Deep clean your boxes at least once a month or so.
- In general, cats prefer a soft, sandy, clumping style litter.
- Make sure your cat can easily access their litter boxes.
- Did you notice we said LITTER BOXES? Yes, we recommend you have at least one per cat, ideally plus one additional box.
- Provide your cat with a safe, entertaining environment that minimizes stress and maximizes safety! A good deal of research demonstrates that a stressful environment can cause activation of the central nervous system, manifesting in bladder inflammation and sometimes, litter box avoidance.
Despite our best efforts, sometimes our cats do not use the litter box consistently. This is when it’s time to call in expert help. We always recommend that you start with a veterinary check if your cat is peeing (urinating) or pooping (defecating) outside the litter box. This way we can move forward with behavior modification knowing that any medical factors have been addressed. If your cat experiences pain or discomfort when using the litter box, all the changes to the environment or litter box itself may not succeed in getting your cat back to the box.
Then it’s time to get behavior help from a QUALIFIED and EXPERIENCED consultant. Don’t wait until the problem has gone on for months…or years. A litter box problem is much easier to solve when there have only been a few incidents outside the box!
We have decades of experience helping clients dealing with litter box avoidance in their cats. Dr. Delgado worked with Dr. Tony Buffington, an expert in Feline Idiopathic Cystitis, during her postdoctoral research at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. She has co-authored scientific articles, a textbook chapter, and a caregiver guide on managing urinary issues in cats. We are ready to help you get your cats BACK IN THE BOX!
References related to feline urinary behavior and stress:
Stella, J. L., Lord, L. K., & Buffington, C. T. (2011). Sickness behaviors in response to unusual external events in healthy cats and cats with feline interstitial cystitis. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 238(1), 67-73.
Taylor, S., Boysen, S., Buffington, T., Chalhoub, S., Defauw, P., Delgado, M. M., … & Korman, R. (2025). 2025 iCatCare consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of lower urinary tract diseases in cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 27(2), 1098612X241309176.
Westropp, J. L., Delgado, M., & Buffington, C. T. (2019). Chronic lower urinary tract signs in cats: current understanding of pathophysiology and management. Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice, 49(2), 187-209.