Why Is My Cat Pooping Outside the Litter Box?

A common cause of your cat pooping outside the litter box is an underlying health issue that needs to be evaluated by a veterinarian, says Joey Lusvardi, an IAABC-certified cat behavior consultant and founder of Class Act Cats in Minneapolis. 

“This is especially true if there is any change to the shape or consistency of the stool,” he adds. 

Constipation is one such health problem. Your cat may start trying to poop in the litter box, but nothing comes out until they exit and start to walk away.  

Osteoarthritis can also make it painful to get to or in and out of the litter box. 

If your cat poops outside the litter box for more than a day or two, Lusvardi recommends taking them to the vet to be evaluated for health concerns. 

If medical conditions have been ruled out, you’re likely dealing with behavioral or environmental causes.  

Cats can be pretty finicky, and if they’re pooping outside the litter box, they may be trying to show you their displeasure with the litter or the litter box itself. For example, the box may be too small or too hard to get into. 

“Longer-haired cats and senior cats typically prefer low-entry boxes,” Lusvardi says.  

Try the Frisco Senior Cat Litter Box.  

For seniors, it’s due to potential mobility issues, and with long-haired cats their fur can rub against the litter box entrance, which may be uncomfortable for them. 

Cats can also develop strong preferences for the type of litter they use, so if you’ve recently made a change, that could be playing a role. 

It’s possible the location of the litter box is tripping your cat up, too, especially if you recently changed it. 

“If you have your litter box in a deep, dark corner of a basement, your cat isn’t going to want to go on an epic journey across your home each time they have to poop,” says Lusvardi. “Your couch will be much more appealing.” 

But how can you tell if the problem is with the litter box or the location of the litter box? Take note of where your cat poops. 

“If the cat is pooping near the box, it may be the litter or the box itself,” Lusvardi says. “If your cat is pooping further away from it, it may be the location that’s an issue.” 

A dirty litter box is a huge problem for your cat. While some will tolerate it, others will poop outside the box to avoid the mess. 

If you notice your cat “missing” the litter box only when it’s full, this is likely the cause. A self-cleaning box, like the Fumoi Automatic Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box with 2 Roll Garbage Bags, might be a good solution.  

Having more than one litter box is important, especially in multi-cat households. 

As a general rule, you should have one more litter box than you do cats. So, if you have two cats, you would have three litter boxes. If you have three cats, you’d have four litter boxes. 

Cats can get stressed easily, and this can cause behavioral issues, like pooping outside of the litter box. 

Changes in routine, like a new pet, new baby, moving to a new home, or family members leaving the house can cause your cat to develop behavioral issues. 

A less common reason is something called middening, which is a form of territorial poop marking, Lusvardi says. 

While this doesn’t happen often, signs that can point to this include pooping in prominent, socially significant locations and the cat not attempting to “bury” their poop after they go, he says. 

Assuming you’ve gone to the veterinarian and have ruled out underlying health conditions as the cause, there are plenty of things you can try to stop your cat from pooping outside the litter box. 

“The best way to keep your cat using the box regularly is to set up a box that is appealing to them,” says Lusvardi. Here’s how. 

Put the box in a central part of the home that’s not near noisy appliances, like the washing machine. 

If you suspect the litter box is too small, get a bigger one, like the Frisco High Sided Cat Litter Box, to accommodate your cat. They should be able to comfortably turn around to bury their poop. 

Many cats prefer open litter boxes to closed ones, so you can try one like the Petmate Litter Pan if you’re currently using a closed litter box.  

Litter boxes, especially plastic ones, can trap smells when they become scratched or saturated, so regularly swapping out the old box with a new one may help—try the Frisco Multi-Function Covered Cat Litter Box for a nice upgrade.  

Regular upgrades don’t apply to investment purchases, like the Whisker Litter-Robot, but make sure you’re cleaning regularly to prevent soiling and buildup. 

“The box needs to be scooped once or twice a day, every single day,” Lusvardi says, and it should be dumped out and thoroughly cleaned at least once a month. 

Always choose a cat-safe product, like Nature’s Miracle Cat Litter Box Scrubbing Wipes or Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. Litter Box Cat Odor Eliminator.  

This may require some trial and error, but cats can have preferences for litter. 

“Long-haired cats may prefer a non-clumping litter so it doesn’t get stuck to their fur,” says Lusvardi.  

Try Fresh Step Premium Febreze Freshness Scented Multi-Cat Non-Clumping Clay Cat Litter.  

You may also have to experiment with scented and unscented litter. The fragrance in scented litter can be too strong and off-putting to some cats, so it may deter them from using the litter box. 

Chewy Made Micro Crystal Unscented Non-Clumping Cat Litter is a good unscented pick.  

If you have an older cat, get a lower-entry litter box, like the KittyGoHere Senior Cat Litter Box, for easy entry and exit. 

If you have multiple cats (or even if you don’t), adding a second or third litter box may help. 

“For some cats, they have a preference for one box to poop in and one to pee in,” says Lusvardi.  

Having multiple boxes can also help prevent litter box guarding, where one cat prevents others from accessing “their” box. 

Always clean up accidents really well. Cats will often pee and poop in the same area if they can smell the lingering odor. 

Lusvardi recommends a non-bleach cleaner. 

“If the surface is soft or a fabric material, you really want to soak it in a pet stain-specific cleaner,” he says. “Let the cleaner sit based on the instructions on the bottle. If it’s something that can be laundered, you may want to soak it overnight before running it through the washer.” 

If things are really bad—like if your cat had diarrhea on a couch—consider replacing the upholstery or inner foam of your furniture. 

Either way, Lusvardi says a few washings may be required, so have hope if stains and odor don’t come out the first time. 

Medical issues are a common reason a cat may be pooping outside the litter box, so you should call a vet to rule out serious issues if it goes on more than a day or two.   

They can also help you get to the bottom of any behavioral issues—or direct you to another expert who can.  

Yes, cats can poop outside the litter box when they are stressed, but other problems like dirty litter boxes or medical problems can be to blame too.  

If your cat suddenly starts pooping outside the litter box, make an appointment with your veterinarian. Medical problems such as arthritis or gastrointestinal disorders need to be ruled out. 

Cats may poop on the floor even if their litter box is clean because they don’t like the type of box or litter, it’s in a bad location, they’ve had a bad experience in the box, or they have a medical issue. Talk to your vet about it.