Why it happens
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The box is too small
A cat needs to turn round and dig freely in the box. In a cramped one it stands half outside, perches on the rim and sends litter flying over the edge.
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The wrong litter or depth
Some cats dislike coarse pellets, scented litter or a sudden change of litter. Too thin a layer leaves nothing to dig in, while too deep a layer gives way under the paws.
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A dirty box
A cat's sense of smell is far keener than ours. In a box where droppings pile up, the cat tries to touch the litter as little as possible: it does not bury, stands on the rim and jumps out quickly.
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The hood and the location
A covered box traps smells inside, and the cat cannot see what is coming. A box in a noisy spot, next to the washing machine or in a walkway, makes the cat hurry.
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Habit or a message to another cat
Not every cat buries: some never learned it from their mother, and in a home with several cats leaving droppings uncovered is sometimes a scent message to the others. It is not spite or stubbornness, and if the cat uses the box there is no real problem.
What helps
- A bigger box The box should be about one and a half times the length of the cat without its tail; a large plastic storage box works well. For a kitten or an older cat, choose a box with a low entry that is easy to step into.
- The right litter Many cats like fine, soft, clumping litter with no added scent. Fill the box deep enough for the cat to dig a hollow, and mix a new litter into the old one gradually over several days.
- Clean every day Scoop out droppings and clumps at least once a day, change all the litter regularly and wash the box with warm water. Do not use bleach or strongly scented cleaners.
- Try it without the hood If the cat perches on the rim or jumps out quickly, take off the hood or the flap and see whether its behaviour changes. An open box lets the cat keep an eye on its surroundings and airs out faster.
- A quiet spot and enough boxes Put the box in a quiet, easy-to-reach corner, away from food and water. In a home with several cats, have one more box than you have cats, in different places.
- A mat and higher sides A rough mat at the entrance wipes litter off the paws, and a box with higher sides holds in the litter that an enthusiastic digger throws about.
Related product categories
The links lead to product categories, not to a particular product or brand. They are not a recommendation.
When it is a question for a vet
If the cat has already started going outside the box, that is a different question, covered by the symptom page on a cat going outside the litter box. See a vet straight away if the cat sits in the box for a long time with nothing coming out, cries while passing urine or droppings, if you see blood in the urine or droppings, or if an older cat's toilet habits suddenly change.