Cat litterbox issue?

Question

I have two adult cats. This isn't a new issue but it just makes me wonder. We have one cat box that they share and it's one with a cover over it. My male cat refuses to use the box with it's cover on and will do his business on the floor in front of it. Anyone have some insight to this issue?? We do keep it clean but it just baffles me.

Answer 1

In a multiple cat household, some cats feel they are exposing themselves to risk of attack by the other cat when using the litterbox. In a covered box, he can't see 360 degrees, so he's wary of the other cat coming upon him. Consequently, he'll go in front of the box, as close to it as he can get without giving up his visual vantage point.
Either leave the top off the box or add another box to the household somewhere, without a top. The rule of them is one box per cat PLUS one neutral extra box.
I added a third cat last year and the litterbox dynamics were unbelievable. The two had shared one in the cellar, with top but without a door. I put a new box upstairs, with top and door, for the new cat. Then the older cats started sneaking in there and now the new cat uses the basement... The cat who refused to use the brand new basement upgrade box with the door, was fine when I removed the door from it, but now uses the upstairs box, with door, exclusively.
Go figure.
Cats are nuts but they sure are entertaining.

Answer 2

I would suggest getting another box that doesn't have a cover on it. That is what I do and I have two cats as well. I would put this other box by the covered box and see if he stops eliminating outside the box. Some cats don't like the idea of a covered box. Maybe your cat had some traumatic experience when you weren't home and doesn't like the covered box anymore. My cat stopped liking the covered box all of a sudden as well. It's worth a shot! Good Luck!

Answer 3

As a rule of thumb - there should be 1 box for each cat, plus one.

Many cats are so picky about their box, some like the lid, some don't. Sometimes they prefer a particular litter over another or location. Some use one to urinate and one to defecate. Some won't use a box if it is soiled at all.

If one doesn't like the lid and goes outside the box (not unusual for them to go out side the box), then place something larger than the box, under it, so it lands on something other than the floor.

Answer 4

Odors build up in litterboxes with covers, no matter how clean you might think it is, kitty still can't deal with the smell. Using a litterbox without a cover sometimes corrects the problem of eliminating outside the box. Also, most vets with tell you that you need to provide one litterbox per cat plus one extra. Try two to begin with and see if that helps.

Answer 5

Hi there...as a general rule it's best to have one litter box per cat plus one extra. Some cats prefer to have access to their own litter box as they prefer not to share. There are other cats who prefer to urinate in one box and defecate in another. Additionally, some cats may have preference with covers whereas other like boxes uncovered so it's best to experiment to see what may be helpful.

Answer 6

Then take the door off. Maybe the cat doesn't like confined areas and the cloth cover is just that. Cat rule the roost. You can't train them if they don't want to.

Answer 7

Did you use an uncovered litter box before, cats are creatures of habit and don't like change. To avoid this problem, just give him his own uncovered large litter box.

Answer 8

you know my cat refused to use his box with a lid to i think they feel trapped and they dont like that feeling just take the lid off and everyone will be happy

Answer 9

Get another litterbox. Then maybe the cat will use it more.

Answer 10

What Seattle said is absolutely true. I wonder if he feels closed in. Perhaps your Kittie is claustrophobic.