Cat goes outside the litter box?

Question

My younger cat continually goes to the bathroom outside the litter box. It's not just urination. And I clean the box at LEAST 3 times a day, and sometimes she'll go outside the box right after I clean it. Occasionally she's gone in my shower, which really just makes me mad because I hate cleaning that up. I have one other cat but she never goes outside the box. Do i just need to break down and get another litter box? She doesn't have any infections or anything.

Answer 1

Sorry to be the bad new bearer, but some cats don't like sharing the litterbox. Also, the location of the one littebox you have, may be just fine with your one furry friend, but not the other. Try adding a box in another location and show it to the offender. That may get you on the road to solving your problem. Just make sure it is in a low traffic area.

Beyond that, you will need to consider if there is a medical reason, but you could try the additional litterbox first. You didn't say anything about seeing any blood, so there is probably not an emergency.

Sometimes, with cats, the solution to a problem is just plain common sense, and you'd be surprised at the number of times the asker has the answer right in their question....like you just did.

Good luck....see, you knew the answer without us.

Answer 2

How many litterboxes do you have? The cat rule is usually +1 for each cat you have. So if you have 2 of them, you should have 3 litterboxes. Some cats are ok with sharing 1, but some like to have their own privacy or are very picky. If they smell some other cat's scent, they may not want to use the same box. IF you don't have 2 boxes already, I would suggest getting another one and see if it can help solve your problem. If your younger cat is still going outside the box after you add another one, bring her to the vet as she might have a medical problem.

Good luck! =)

Answer 3

For an extra $5 do indeed break down and get another litterbox. The litterbox rule: # of cats + 1. So that actually would mean two new boxes.

Some cats will share boxes, some will not. Don't give yourself this aggravation for $10.

Answer 4

maybe she just needs better aim, I have a cat that will occasionally pee in my tub right next to the drain, but I think that's only when no one will let her out, she has a litter box but uses only when she wants too, like after she's been out all day she'll come in to use the box and then go back out. stupid cat.

Answer 5

It's definately the litter box. Your younger cat wants their own for sure. Annoying. I hope you have room for 2 litter boxes. That would be a challenge for me. Good luck!

Answer 6

You should have one extra litter box than cats - so if you have 2 cats, you should have 3 litter boxes. She may be looking for places that she can claim as her own.

Here's a helpful article:
http://www.catinfo.org/litterbox.htm

Answer 7

My vet told me you should lock your cat in the bathroom for a couple days with food, water, and its litter box. He says they need to be reconnected to their litter box.

Answer 8

i had the same problem last week and i went to vet and found out nothing was wrong with her it was the litter it was to small for and got a big sweater box from rubber maid and that have fixed the problem for now

Answer 9

Hi there...as the everyone above me noted it could be your kitty needs to have a box of her own. Cats sometimes feel protective of their litter boxes and the other cat may be blocking her from be able to go. However, when a cat urinates and/or defecates away from the litter box it is associating pain to going within the box which is could indicate a medical problem.

Here's an article by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine on house soiling problems: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/Housesoiling.html

House soiling is the most common behavior problem reported by cat owners. It includes urination and/or defecation outside the litter box, as well as urine spraying.

Why do cats eliminate outside of the litter box?
One common misconception is that cats soil in inappropriate places for revenge. It is tempting to conclude, "He defecated on the living room carpet to punish me for leaving him for the weekend." But this kind of calculation requires sophisticated cognitive abilities that cats aren't believed to possess. Furthermore, this conclusion assumes that cats view their urine and feces as distasteful, when in fact they do not. It is only we humans who view it that way.

Medical Problems
So why do cats urinate or defecate on your bed or carpet? Medical problems are one possibility. Inflammation of the urinary tract may cause painful or frequent urination, inability to urinate, bloody urine, and crying during urination. An affected cat is likely to eliminate outside the litter box if he comes to associate the box with painful urination, or if he has an increased urgency to urinate. In addition, kidney, liver, and thyroid diseases often lead to increased drinking and urination. Inflammation of the colon or rectum, intestinal tract tumors, intestinal parasites, and other gastrointestinal conditions may cause painful defecation, increased frequency or urgency to defecate, and decreased control of defecation. Age-related diseases that interfere with a cat's mobility (for example, arthritis, nervous system disorders, or muscular diseases), or with his cognitive functions can also influence his ability to get to the litter box in time. In short, any medical condition that interferes with a cat's normal elimination behavior can lead to house soiling.

Litter Box Aversions
Behavioral problems, such as litter box aversions, inappropriate site preferences, or urine spraying can also lead to house soiling. An aversion implies that there is something about the litter box that your cat finds unsavory. It could be the box, the litter, the location of the box, or all three.

...please see article for full details

Answer 10

i heard if u put a little amonia in litter it will attract your cat there.