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Why do my cats urinate and defecate outside the litter box?

3 Ratings

I have two indoor cats (one male and one female, both fixed) that have developed their own habits that seem to be only moments apart. The male has started pooping on my side of the bed in one particular spot and the female urinates in the middle of my bed. This happens once a day for the last week. Shutting them out of my bedroom until I come home works, but when I'm not looking they slip in and do it.  What can I do? I can't put them outside because they are declawed. Any miracles up your sleeve? Lewis

Hi Lewis,

Wow, it sounds like you have a really frustrating problem!

It's instinctual for a cat to use a litter box because in the wild, they would need to cover up their scent to avoid prey. They also of course have times where they spread their scent around to "mark" their territory. Sometimes indeed these two things do collide, especially when a cat is not fixed. But most often a cat has a strong, instinctual desire to go inside a litter box and "cover up."

Your cats have been fixed, so there’s probably something more going on that needs to be uncovered.

When cats urinate or defecate outside the litter box, chances are it is because of something that is bothering them. Have there have been any dramatic changes at home that may be upsetting one or both of the cats?  You may want to talk to your vet about the true root of the behaviors. Inappropriate elimination can be caused by illness, anxiety or external changes in their environment.

I suggest you take the cats for a veterinary visit. Be sure the one who is urinating on your bed gets checked for urinary tract infection, because urinating outside the box is a common symptom.

Kristen_Buck-60x60
December 03, 2010
Answered By:
Kristen Levine, Pet Lifestyle Expert
3 Ratings
Page 1

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  • Shelley
    Hi, fellow cat lover here-I am sorry for your situation, it is so aggravating. I have read every book on cat behavior that I can find. From what I have read, the most common reasons for inappropriate elimination is health reasons, stress, too many changes - have you changed litter, moved the boxes, not kept them as clean as you normally do, has someone new moved in or out, are there new cats hanging around outside your home that your cats can see, have you had a lot of company? Good luck.
    Thursday, December 09, 2010 by Shelley
  • Faye
    My cat pees on my dirty laundry when she is mad at me.
    Saturday, January 08, 2011 by Faye
  • gina
    We adopted a cat from the humane society and she NEVER used the litter box. No amount of training would help. We finally stumbled upon a solution. We use puppy training pads! She loved them and to be honest they are cleaner and easier to use than litter! She occasionally has an "accident" when very stressed and... when we open the doors and windows in the spring! But the pads have been a wonderful solution for us overall.
    Friday, February 25, 2011 by gina
  • Thomas
    Hi, Try Feliway pet products, check their website, they have plug-ins, refills and spays that detour your felines from urinating on areas. Check out Amazon for better prices!
    Thursday, March 03, 2011 by Thomas
  • Sharon
    Do they each have their own litter box? Often cats who are not true litter-siblings do not like to share a litter box. We got one of those auto-scooping litter boxes for my picky cat, and it has been great--pricey up front, but saves lots of aggravation and worry about the carpet.
    Monday, March 21, 2011 by Sharon
  • Julie-Ann
    Frustrating, eh?!? I have 3 cats & the youngest tends to defecate outside the box. The vet checked her out (fine), made sure at least 3 litter boxes around the house, reverted back to the litter I used when she was a kitten, pet deterrent spray, etc etc. All of these have helped altho she is not cured... She urinates in the box no problem. I pretty much suspect that our neutered male cat had spooked her while she was in the box back when she was younger, traumatizing her. Any thoughts?
    Monday, April 18, 2011 by Julie-Ann
  • Barb
    I moved away from my home,husband & pets, almost a year ago for work. My husband is having a terrible time with my six cats. A couple of them are peeing and pooping on the carpet and are even going, right next to the box! He has added 4 more boxes but I think they are just mad because I am not there. They are all healty. He needs help while I am unable to be home. Any suggestions?? He is desperate for any suggestions that may help the problem.
    Sunday, December 18, 2011 by Barb
 

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