Why is My Cat Not Using the Litter Box? 11 Tips to Get Them Thinking Inside the Box

Рет қаралды 19,309

Күн бұрын

Has your cat suddenly stopped using the litter box? In this video, we talk about what you should do as soon as you notice your cat thinking outside of the box and how to get them back into it.
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Video Navigation:
0:00 Introduction
0:13 Cats Want to Use Their Box!
1:12 Course Mention
1:44 Step 1: Take Photos
2:04 Step 2: Go to the Vet
2:29 Step 3: Check Your Calendar
3:12 Step 4: Notice Where It's Happening
5:36 Step 5: Get Rid of the Smell
6:35 Tips to Solve the Problem
6:59 Tip 1: Get a Better Box
7:35 Tip 2: Get Better Cat Litter
8:13 Tip 3: Keep the Box Cleaner
8:31 Tip 4: Put it in a Better Place
9:08 tuft + paw Sponsor Shoutout
10:08 Tip 5: Resolve Multi-Pet Issues
10:47 Tip 6: Reduce Stress
11:46 Conclusion
12:29 Preorder The Art of Raising a Kitten
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Пікірлер: 101

@AllAboutCatsYT Жыл бұрын

Has your cat suddenly stopped using the litter box? In this video, we talk about what you should do as soon as you notice your cat thinking outside of the box and how to get them back into it. Take Dr. Rachel Geller, Ed.D's litter box avoidance and acceptance course: allaboutcats.com/courses/is-your-cat-thinking-outside-of-the-litter-box-litter-box-acceptance Get 10% off of your tuft + paw order when you enter coupon code ALLABOUTCATS10 at checkout: allaboutcats.com/recommends/tuft-paw-cove-litter-box

@whiteknightcat Жыл бұрын

I believe that not only the addition of new people can stress a cat out to relieve inappropriately, but the absence of people can also have a similar effect, especially if that person is the only human in the household. A month ago I went out of town for four days and left enough food and water for everyone in my absence. When I returned, they'd eaten all their food and consumed all their water to the point one Cat-it fountain was pumping air. Fortunately it wasn't damaged, and nothing else unusual was noted. Last week I went out of town again for four days. This time I left out more than a 6 day supply of food and extra water in open bowls. I returned home this time to a disaster! While there was water left over, they AGAIN had consumed every scrap of food PLUS there was pee everywhere! The entire front foyer was peed on, even under the scat mat (which was left off), a stack of canned food flats in the den got hit, and somebody even peed on a bed! I eventually got the messes cleaned up but once I was back, normal routine seemed to return and there haven't been any more incidents. Routine and predictability seem to indeed be a big part of a pet's psychological health, and if they are used to human contact every single day, it seems they seriously notice its absence!

@PennySue Жыл бұрын

@@whiteknightcat poor babies. Maybe you should use automatic feeders with lots of food and water in them. Not good to let them run out of food or water. Also, maybe they were going outside the litter box not only because they were left alone but maybe because their litter boxes were very dirty after days of not being cleaned. Is there anyone you can trust to come in and take care of them when you are not there?

@whiteknightcat Жыл бұрын

@@PennySue The scoopiness of the boxes was not an issue. I believe it was my absence, plus unsupervised territorialty (is that even a word?). Two of the cats are long term fosters and a couple of my cats just hate them to bits. I suspect one of mine as being the "marker". Once I returned, everything went back to normal. I may have to consider boarding the two fosters for the next trip - I really love the place I've had to use before, they take really good care of their clients.

@loretta_3843 Жыл бұрын

I've just gotten into the habit of cleaning the litter box whenever I see it's been used. I know I can get lazy and cats like things clean, so it helps me keep on top of it.

@matthewmcclain1316 Жыл бұрын

Same here. It's easier actually. Just gotta do one quick scoop. And it's not as bad, so I don't put it off like I used to.

@PennySue Жыл бұрын

I do the same!

@kbaz6658 Жыл бұрын

From my experience and having high pee-ers: Use a high sided storage box. Some will squat inside the box but their butt points outside the box. Many boxes appear to be too small for large cats. They like to turn around comfortably. Some like to pee in one box and poop in another. Give them options. ***Best odor eliminator carpet cleaner is *UnDuzIt Unleashed Odor and Stain Eliminator*. One step. Also works well on surfaces. Commercial carpet cleaners use it. Some zoos use it and also successful in hoarding situations.

@pennylh2559 Жыл бұрын

I’ve used Vinegar to neutralize all odors from my home for many years, from animal urine to ppl.’’ It works so well the animals will not go back to the area again! :)

@littlecurlylocks 2 күн бұрын

I’ve used vinegar to try to keep my cats from going back to poop pee in an area and eventually they do go back to that same spot. That’s why I don’t know what to use.

@spiralflash6169 Жыл бұрын

Amazingly, for the first time since I adopted her, my cat defecated outside the box today. Thanks for giving me some guidance.

@matthewmcclain1316 Жыл бұрын

My cat went through a faze where she did that. I had to watch her like a hawk and when she was about to poo, I'd pick her up and put her in the box. She eventually started going in the box again. Just saying, it's a habit you can break.

@laurice8056 Жыл бұрын

Very insightful information. Thanks for sharing!😺

@DarvonBrown Жыл бұрын

Hey Mal, I love the title very clever

@garytanger965 Жыл бұрын

You had mentioned this B4, about cats needing to see all around them when using the litter box.. I took my privacy panel down after that.. Also, even though I have a large box, my cats still circle a couple times.. The under the bed storage container, with a flat bottom was shown, that will be my next purchase.. Simple ideas, great info, Tkx....

@thomasgiguere4931 Жыл бұрын

Second channel! All About Mallory. So enchanting...Such a megababe.

@localchumb Жыл бұрын

What a wonderful way to wake up :)

@vernabryant2894 Жыл бұрын

Good advice.

@tenanikifya383 Жыл бұрын

I really like your cat carrier..can u day where u got it? Real nice videos!! Thankyou

@txexsquid Жыл бұрын

sad part is, i was actually thinking that white litterbox looked pretty cool. i'm glad it's working well for you as I'm currently trying the sifter type and not liking it. I also tried an automatic one with crystals that my big orange tom cat hated. next tried pine pellets in the sifters and that is not going well either. tomorrow i'll be putting clumping litter in which is probably what he was used to. thanks for the great tips

@wintersnowcloud Жыл бұрын

Unrelated... but, could you review the Hillpig Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box: Extra Large?

@marianacalderon4370 7 ай бұрын

i got a adult cat and at first she was pooping in her little box but around a month later she began to poop on carpets and a small blanket on my bed. I don’t know what to do about anymore since i don’t necessarily have the money to be constantly taking her to the vet for check ups.

@ricoriofrer3706 Жыл бұрын

5:49 you got that right!

@jc.1191 Жыл бұрын

Is fish ok to feed daily as wet food if it's aafco labeled? Any reason that could be bad.

@monicapiedra1031 Жыл бұрын

Wondering if anyone has heard of pull n scoop litter box? Unfortunately we can't afford an electric litter box we have one cat named Toga❤️ I seen an ad on pull n scoop and wonder if you knew anything about it or could do a video review on it 😃 thanks

@Logan-ee5rx Жыл бұрын

My cat pooped and threw up on a blanket that was on my bed today. A month ago he started pooping on a blanket on my couch and the only thing that fixed it was throwing away one of his litter boxes. Now he’s doing it again on my bed so I guess I need to replace the box again? I don’t understand why he randomly does this after months of investigation. He always does it when I’m at work or sleeping, never in front of me.

@elaulus4162 Жыл бұрын

Plz do a cat food review on the nacho cat food and the Orijen can’t food the orijen seems really healthy but I really want your opinion

@AllAboutCatsYT Жыл бұрын

We'll consider it! Thank you.

@uuuuhhhhhhidk8687 Жыл бұрын

My cat is neutered, 3 years old and for a few months now he's been peeing occasionally outside the box, on a specific sofa he seems to like alot. No changes maybe just the occasional outdoor cat but it doesn't seem territorial since he isnt spaying. Same litter as usual. No medical issues that i know of. I don't know what to do please anyone who knows what might be wrong help me out.

@whiteknightcat Жыл бұрын

7:45 ... "now take your chicken pieces and dredge them in the corn flour mixture you just prepared, then gently lower into your deep fat fryer ..."

@PennySue Жыл бұрын

🤣😂🤣

@jc.1191 Жыл бұрын

🤣 Good one

@bluewave7120 Жыл бұрын

I had to move my litter box from one room to another And my cat 🐈 won't use her box in the new room. It is right next to the room she was using and there isn't anything unusual or threatening in the new room yet she still is drawn to the spot where the box used to be. go...figure..

@carmenmiranda7901 10 ай бұрын

I just moved from France to USA and my cat doesn’t go to his litter box the first day he went but after he stopped and hi poo just right at the middle of the room and since that he didn’t go to pee or poo. Why this?

@ygjt76v0----- Жыл бұрын

Mallory ❤️

@lucdobbelaere1198 Жыл бұрын

Hi, we have a sphyncx kitten since 29th March...The kitten is now 14 weeks old, the breeder said he went in the litter box, even in a litter robot 3, which we also have. Unfortunately I have to put him every time in the box, and every time he wants to leave the robot as well as the open litter box. He pees everywhere in the house exept in the litter...The litter is softcat clumping, a litter he knows. Can you give advice? Thanks

@AllAboutCatsYT Жыл бұрын

Hmmm, that's a really interesting question. You have two litter boxes-are they in roughly the same place? It makes me wonder if there might be something in the litter box area that's scary to him. Is he sharing the litter boxes with other cats? Might the smell make him uncomfortable?

@lucdobbelaere1198 Жыл бұрын

@@AllAboutCatsYT The open box is in a different room as the litter robot 3.. He realiseren, if he has to poop, he has to dig, and then he Search for litter... SO far, that works, but for peeing, he seems to think I might do it on the Carpets...and No, nothing is scary in the rooms

@sonnybaker8100 4 ай бұрын

Please…someone help me solve this litter box mystery. My vet has no answers or suggestions. 9yo neutered cat suddenly stopped pooping in the litter box, but still pees in it without issue. We adopted the cat 3 years ago and he used the box for both pee and poo until about 3 months ago when he started pooping elsewhere. Again, he’s only pooping in places other than the box. He still uses the litter box for peeing (Thank God!). The facts: He’s the only cat; No changes have occurred in the house or in his life; He has FOUR litter boxes (tho initially it was one; we added 3 more…but he still only uses one to pee; We tried a new litter box (but still kept the old box). He has no problems using the new litter box to pee; Litter is scooped daily and kept clean; Boxes are all uncovered; Vet visit revealed he is healthy (bloodwork was done); He will poop on puppy pads on the floor, but not on puppy pads in a litter box; We put a litter box in the place he was pooping…he just found new places to poop on the floor; We’ve cleaned the poop spots thoroughly with natures miracle; He’s not doing it right outside the box…it’s in the next room. It baffles me that he’s fine peeing…so I don’t think it can be a litter or box issue. If anyone has any suggestions as to WHY he is doing this, or ideas on how we can get him to start pooping in his boxes again, please post it! Thank you!😻

@RickLaBanca Жыл бұрын

Poops on floor pees in box. Did everything suggested but no dice. We adopted him so not sure how he evolved to this.

@natew3241 3 ай бұрын

We have two cats (siblings) that are about a year old. They both used the litter box for a while, then one just decided she no longer wanted to. She mostly just poops outside the box, next to the box, in the hallway not far from the right area. We have three boxes all have different litter to choose from… one cat will use any of them, the other… just won’t. It’s my daughter’s cat, and I’m just through… and want to be done. We clean them at least three times a week or more… just crazy.

@clarisahernandez5280 Жыл бұрын

My cat missed the box. I don't know when it happened or exactly where and my carpet is dark. I cleaned it the best I could.

@localchumb Жыл бұрын

I've had some hilarious moments with my void kitty ever since I adopted him. We use two, over-the-top litter boxes and at first he had no clue how to use it! So we tried to show him with my other cat that uses it just fine, but he wasn't quite getting the picture. So when it came time for him to poop, he'd sit on top of the box and drop his "missiles" down into the box and leave everything uncovered :d. He'd also pee standing up from the bottom, with his two front legs up on top! So many times I've turned the corner and we'd lock eyes while he's doing his business. He's much better now though :) Btw Mallory, did you move or something? I just moved on the 22nd and it's an improved situation fur us here. Hope everything works out to what is best for you! :D

@AllAboutCatsYT Жыл бұрын

That's such a fun and cute story. I love it. Yes, I did move-exactly a week before you did! This video is a bit of a teaser for another on "how to move with a cat" piece I'd like to make soon. We're very happy with the new place, and it's an improved situation for both my kitties and myself, too. Glad to hear that you're also in a good place.

@jc.1191 Жыл бұрын

😆 That's a funny little guy

@gamgamdabest8327 Жыл бұрын

I just bought a scoop free litter box. My cats play in it… but they won’t potty in it??? Any ideas? I’ve taken the lid off… I’ve put poo in it to make it more obvious what it’s for?? That didn’t help. I can’t get these kids to get it? It uses crystals instead of reg litter. I think that’s the issue… but the problem is the scoop free one requires these crystal things. ??

@AllAboutCatsYT Жыл бұрын

I see! You _can_ put some of the regular cat litter in there to see if they'll use it and then gradually reduce the amount of clay/usual litter versus the clay. Alternatively, you can swap out the ScoopFree litter with a finer crystal litter more like what they're accustomed to. Some cats don't like the feeling of the large crystals under their paws, so the comfort and familiarity combined might do the trick.

@gamgamdabest8327 Жыл бұрын

@@AllAboutCatsYT that worked!! I sprinkled their reg cat litter on top. They have been pooping in it like champs! Thank you!

@jonobester5817 9 ай бұрын

I've adopted a homeless cat and she doesn't want to use her litter box. What can I do?

@brushstroke7190 Жыл бұрын

oomph. my 5-y/o cat definitely uses both of her litter boxes, but she also takes sneaky pees pretty much everywhere else from time-to-time. she peed on my sofa cushions a couple times last week, ruining them 😭 anyway, i think this is more to do with her having parasites (definite fleas, possible worms). she also lacks enrichment and exercise. should i get her a cat wheel?

@AllAboutCatsYT Жыл бұрын

I wouldn't go for a cat wheel as the first option unless you have very limited space and few options for interactive play. Just a bit of play with a fishing pole toy and some balls/mice should do!

@jc.1191 Жыл бұрын

A scratch post or cardboard thing helps too. Laser pointer. Treat the fleas tho, that may be what's upsetting the cat.

@sithius99 Жыл бұрын

I just adopted a shelter cat. Nearly a week on and she is still hiding under the sofa, only to come out to eat, drink and explore a little bit when I am sleeping. She will not use her litter tray and the shelter have told me to use the same type of litter and tray but it is still not working. She instead goes in the bath tub when I am sleeping. Thanks for this video!

@barhernan153 Жыл бұрын

It can be frustrating, but that's kind of the best place she can go, apart from the litter box 😅 you're kind of lucky! Hope you cat gets more comfortable day by day!👏🏼

@PennySue Жыл бұрын

At night or even during the day, put a litter box right next to the bathtub. If necessary put two or three litter boxes out in different places. Also something you can do to get her to come out and play is trying interactive toys such as a feather wand toy. It's important to try to bond with your cat by using interactive toys. You can also try to hand feed her to show her she can trust you. Another good way to bond with them is by brushing them. If they are not used to being brushed, try petting with one hand and every time you stroke with one hand follow with the brush. There are also other kind of tips you can find from Jackson Galaxy on KZfaq.

@juliecayer6342 Жыл бұрын

Put litter in the bathtub for her I too adopted a shelther cat she also hides under my bed only comes out while I'm sleeping to eat and explore a little bit we must just take time let her be and it can take up to a year for them to feel settled in or more be patient and they will warm up to you I'm hoping sooner then later but I let her be give her some hide out places too

@joshuashamshak7927 Ай бұрын

Rachel Geller? Lmao Ross & Rachel got married after all 😂

@jimmysmith4026 Жыл бұрын

I know when my cat sometimes doesn’t pee in the box it’s because he’s so darn super clean if there’s anything at all in it already he won’t go in it.

@PennySue Жыл бұрын

Try adding another litter box a little further away from the one you have now. Give him another option.

@jimmysmith4026 Жыл бұрын

@@PennySue Thank you

@leenacardenas1884 Жыл бұрын

Where is your litter box from?

@leoj4023 Жыл бұрын

I locked my kitten in a bathroom because litterbox was there. He self taught it

@kayhenry6293 Жыл бұрын

One of my cats will poop in the litter box but pee outside of it, right up next to it. I’ve tried everything I can think of to get her to pee in the box but I’m losing that battle. She’s been doing it this way for a long time and I’ve had a vet check her and everything is fine. I don’t understand why the difference between peeing and pooping in different places.

@AllAboutCatsYT Жыл бұрын

Does she stand in the box or outside of it?

@PennySue Жыл бұрын

I started having the same problem with one of my female cats. She would poo in the box but pee right next to it. Come to find out, she was starting to have kidney failure. If your vet has ruled out urinary tract infections or kidney failure or any other medical problems, maybe you can try what I did. I decided to try putting a puppy pad next to the litter box and it worked! She would poo in the litter box and pee on the puppy pad! Maybe it's worth a try!

@kayhenry6293 Жыл бұрын

@@PennySue I use the pee pads, too. I’ve about decided that it’s the box itself that she doesn’t like. Just in case, we’ll be seeing the vet.

@kayhenry6293 Жыл бұрын

@@AllAboutCatsYT she stands in the box to poop, but I’ve noticed her kind of stretching out her body when she pees.

@PennySue Жыл бұрын

@@kayhenry6293 she's definitely trying to tell you something. I'm not a professional I've just been a crazy cat lady for 42 years and I think it's a good idea for another vet visit.

@briannab5296 Жыл бұрын

My older cat will pee on a towel thats in the floor sometimes. Otherwise he's good using the litterbox. My one year old male is a nightmare. He has never covered his pee or poo in the litterbox. He has peed EVERYWHERE in our apt. ... on the kitchen counter, on my best backpack, on my bed several times .. on my belly one time .. on the recliner seat .. he REALLY loves anything crinkly like plastic grocery bags. He doesn't pee on the floor (i could handle that!) nor poops outside the litterbox ... it's always climbing up to pee on stuff that he shouldn't (like my personal belongings) . . I can't stand it! He goes into some sort of trance right before he lets it rip. Everybody said get him fixed and he'd stop but the vet said he has a heart murmur and can't be put to sleep for the neuter surgery. He is very aggressive towards my older cat .. when the older one is asleep he will lunge at his throat trying to kill him and it's terrifying to me. He's a handful and i don't know what to do with him. Sometimes he is so bad all i want to do is open the front door and tell him goodbye. . . I would never do that, it's just a thought when i'm at my limit of frustration.

@AllAboutCatsYT Жыл бұрын

This is difficult; a cat who hasn't been neutered will often hold onto this kind of territory marking, and it's hard to correct. My best suggestion would be to try to reduce the stress in the environment to encourage him to feel a bit more stable, and then perhaps building him a catio or finding another safe way for him to spend some more time outside. This could give him more stimulation and also reduce his opportunities to pee indoors. The aggressive behavior is also common among non-neutered cats, and enrichment may be able to help with it as well. Hope you're able to sort this out!

@localchumb Жыл бұрын

My first cat would pee on anything that was left on the ground. Whether it was a t-shirt, plastic bag (her favorite), or a blanket just barely touching the floor, she'd pee on it! What I did was, I'd lay a plastic bag or two underneath the litter and ensured that she'd see me as I was doing this. Then a minute after I had walked away, she jumps in and does her business! She loved it and over the week, I took out a bag and eventually had none left in there, just the litter. We just had to be sure to not leave anything out of it's typical place and always be tidy. Can't slack once they build good habits. I feel for you fren, as my angel had a heart murmur as well. Have you considered taking her to another vet for a second opinion on the chance of having the surgery? Best of luck pal :)

@jc.1191 Жыл бұрын

If all else fails, you may need a cage or find him a new home.

@diestercontreras8216 Жыл бұрын

Strong night 26

@meyelejuega3602 11 ай бұрын

My new cat is driving me crazy, he was gifted to me for my birthday (please don't do this before consulting with the person you're going to gift the cat to), a six month old nebelung, he's a handsome boy but its been 4 months already and he still hasn't used the litterbox once, he poops on my bed or my sofa he's making my life misserable but i'm too sentimental to give him to adoption, i'm going to try your tips but i'm hopeless, can't pet him either runs away whenever i move in his direction. Doesn't seem stressed besides that, he's best pals with my female cat and he even slept with me once or twice in the last few weeks, i don't want to give up on him but i haven't been able to sleep in my own bed for months, he ruined my mattress.

@jadinepee 8 ай бұрын

how did things go ??

@meyelejuega3602 8 ай бұрын

@@jadinepee Honestly, he's pretty much the same, but its funny that you decided to reply today, because today i came home from work, and greeted my babies as always, but today i decided to just go over to him and pet him and to my surprise he stayed right where he was for the first time ever, let me pet him for a little while, i know it must take a lot from him to open up so i'm proud of my little ( not so little, he's a Nebelung)guy and this gives me hope.

@ashleybates6140 9 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for all the information! My current problem is a new cat off the street and she peed on our bed! One of the hardest places to get the smell out of! 😭 Any tips for this??

@carolquincy402 8 ай бұрын

I took in a cat that had an urinary tract infection which I was unaware of until she peed on my bed. I cleaned the area and she peed there again. Then bought an enzymatic cleaning spray (very important) and it worked. I was still afraid she'd pee again, so I covered my mattress with a cheap table cloth with the plastic side facing the mattress. I figured this way if she did pee it wouldn't go through to my mattress. Fortunately her medicine kicked in and she didn't go on my bed again.

@ericapoe Жыл бұрын

Wessey is such a good cat he won’t go outside the litter box 😊

@AllAboutCatsYT Жыл бұрын

Almost. A few years ago, I tried to push my cats to use the Litter-Robot for a review and made it their only option, and he went on some soft dolls. An example of making a mistake in litter box choice and forcing your cat to do something they'd never naturally do. I felt quite bad about it and don't force my cats to use uncomfortable boxes anymore.

@localchumb Жыл бұрын

@@AllAboutCatsYT He's still the best boi!!

@jc.1191 Жыл бұрын

@@AllAboutCatsYT Now we know wessie does not like dolls. Lol

@Janopooh Жыл бұрын

My cat is angry with me, how do I make a mends?

@PennySue Жыл бұрын

Be kind and loving to your kitty and maybe a few extra treats would help too.

@Janopooh Жыл бұрын

@@PennySue So I ordered pajamas , a boque and chocolate just for me and blamed my cat? no way

@PennySue Жыл бұрын

@@Janopooh 🤣

@Humoyun_0829 Жыл бұрын

Cruel Friend 02

@wincash3366 Жыл бұрын

Hard eagle 63

@kinogranddd Жыл бұрын

Dry duck 97

@YukisNation Жыл бұрын

In the week after my dog passing away my cat pooped outside the box about 5 times. Took to the vet, she's fine. No changes to the litter boxes, the same litter we've used since she was a kitten, and 2 boxes per cat each in a different room. The vet determined she was stressed from my dog passing because they were great buddies that played and cuddled a lot and my cat was mourning in her own way. Made my dogs passing that much harder for me.

@AllAboutCatsYT Жыл бұрын

It's rough knowing that our pets are mourning, too. Wishing you and your kitty all the best.