If your cat does not use the litter box, what should she do? No matter how old your cat is, it can be upsetting to see him struggle to use the litter properly. You only want the best for your cat, so of course you want to make things right. Fortunately, there are many effective strategies that can help. You just need to get to the bottom causing the aversion in the first place.

Some cats need training

Some kittens instinctively dig and cover their urine and poop, while others learn from watching their mothers. ¹   If your cat does not fall into these categories and has never used a litter properly, she may need a small nudge in the right direction.

Start feeding your cat on a schedule, until her litter box times are predictable. Cats often need to use a litter soon after eating and after getting up in the morning or from naps. Keep your kitten in a small room, such as a bathroom, with a litter box during her “litter times.” (Very young cats may be kept in a fenced area or small room at all times unless they are supervised.)

Once you get there, put it in the litter box. After she uses the litter, gently grab her paw and scratch her to teach her how to cover her. Give her lots of cute pets, praise and reward. This can build positive bonds that last a lifetime.

Watch the cats to make sure they are not trying to eat the litter. If they do, you may want to use something that is temporarily safe on their stomachs, as recommended by your vet.

Thoroughly clean up any accidents

If your cat has accidents with litter outside the box, it is important to clean it well. You should use a cleaner made specifically for cat urine instead of your regular household carpet cleaner. An enzyme-based cleaner, for example, can help break down the uric acid in cat urine, removing the odor. This makes it less likely that your cat will come back to that spot over and over again.

When flushing urine, try to absorb as much as possible at first. Most cat grooming products recommend spraying well and letting it sit for at least 10 minutes. You may have to do this several times. If your cat has peed on the rug, you may need to clean under it. Take care to avoid using products that contain ammonia, as this may attract your cat to its place. ²

Consider using a Wee-Wee Cat Urine Eliminator and Odor Destroyer to eliminate new or old spots and discourage repeat accidents. If the accident is on fabric or carpet, Wee Wee Carpet and Fabric Stain and Odor Destroyer is another good option. You can also use Comfort Zone & Scratch Control Spray as a spot treatment to help soothe your cat in those places that tend to urinate outside the litter box.

Try a variety of chests, trash types and locations

Cats can become reluctant to use their litter for a variety of reasons. Some may not like the feeling of a certain type of garbage on their feet. A long-haired cat may need crystal litter that does not stick to its claws. A cat who spent time outdoors before coming home with you may have learned to urinate and defecate in the dirt, so he may be attracted to mud litter of a similar texture. ³

Location can also make a big difference. If the litter box is near an area with a lot of traffic, or if it’s next to a noisy washing machine, your cat may not want to use it often.

Even the type or shape of the litter box can make a difference. Some cats do not like to step on a box that has a high side; Consider cutting off the entrance so your cat can get into the litter box. Other cats don’t like litter boxes with lids, and some only use litter boxes   with   lids. If the litter box is too large or too small, it can also cause problems. Even the depth of the litter can make a difference. Experiment with different types of crates and litter to see which one your cat likes best.

Watch for health problems or stress

If your cat or cat used the litter once just fine and now is suddenly spraying or defecating in the wrong places, the problem may be health or stress related. Visit your vet to make sure health issues are not causing the problem. If you get a clean bill of health, find the sources on stress in the next section.

Intimidation in the house

 A cat that is feeling fearful or competitive with other domestic cats may start spraying outside the box, leaving poop exposed, or even leaving poop just outside the entrance to the box. Sometimes   ,   being afraid of your dog can cause these problems as well.

If you have two cats, one probably pounced on the other while leaving the litter box and now associates fear with the box. Helping a fearful cat may help him feel more confident. Give him more items to “have” around the house, such as cat trees to climb on, window perches, and beds. The more territory he had, the more confident he felt. Make sure there is one litter box for each cat, as well as an extra one, so the cats don’t compete for space. And play with your cats (and dogs) a lot, so they don’t use up their pent-up energy on each other.

intimidation from outside

Your cat or kitten may also stop using the litter box if she can see or smell a stray cat walking outside, and this is causing her stress. In this case, draw shadows at dusk and dawn or even set up a motion-activated sprinkler outside to chase the strays away.

Soothing diffusers can help

If your cat is feeling stressed, you may take her out in the litter box. Comfort zone diffusers can help overcome stressful feelings. They release an odorless vapor that mimics your cat’s calming pheromones to help your cat feel safe, happy and calm. The Comfort Zone Calming Diffuser can help spray urine and stress, while the Comfort Zone Multi-Cat Diffuser is specifically designed for homes with multiple cats. Put these in the rooms where cats spend the most time, including rooms with litter boxes, and the “e-meow-tional” cat’s well-being will begin to improve. (Be sure to clean the litter box frequently! An unclean litter box can cause stress on your cat.) Instead of a diffuser, consider picking up a Comfort Zone collar around your cat’s neck to keep her calm wherever she goes.

There are many reasons why a cat or kitten should not use the litter box. The good news is that a simple investigation can often reveal the source of the problem. Experimenting with different places and types of boxes and litter boxes, along with calming aids, can help your cat to use the litter box again.