Other reasons could be they don’t like the size of the box, the litter, or the placement. The biggest reason cats might not like it is a lack of cleanliness. Some cats may just not like their litter box. So, they may no longer feel the need to mark it themselves. If they’re used in the area your cat is marking, they signal to your cat that the area is safe. Pheromone sprays and diffusers - such as Feliway - can be effective for urine marking. But, it might take 4 to 6 weeks to see results. They both have anti-anxiety properties that could be beneficial. Supplements that have alpha-casozepine or L-theanine can also be used with the medications above. If the source behind your cat’s stress can’t be found, your veterinarian might recommend anti-anxiety medication to address inappropriate elimination. You can also use positive reinforcement training 5 to 10 minutes daily to teach them basic commands like “sit” and “come.” Play and training can help alter the way they respond to stressors like other cats and people. Playing with your cats 20 to 30 minutes a day can give them mental stimulation to prevent boredom and aggression.

Schedule rewarding playtime with each cat. Punishment will likely increase the anxiety and confuse the aggressor cat. Having enough of these things will help limit the competition.ĭo not punish either cat. This includes extra litter boxes, food and water stations, and hiding places. Here are some things you can do to ease the tension: They may leave any room with the aggressor in it or prefer to stay on higher surfaces. The other cat will try to avoid the aggressor as much as possible. The aggressor will stalk and attack the other cat. If you have cats who don’t get along, it’s important to find the aggressor and the one they’re bullying. Your vet will likely suggest spaying or neutering your cat - if they’re not already - as a first step in tackling their behavior. The marking started after a household changeĬats who aren’t neutered or spayed are more likely to mark their territory. Sometimes using their box and sometimes not Cats usually do this by urine marking on vertical surfaces while standing. Peeing to protect their territory is more common than pooping. Stress typically comes from a change in their home, such as: But stress can make a cat feel the need to secure more of their environment - which could lead to marking areas of the house with pee or poop. They also mark their territory by rubbing their faces on objects and scratching surfaces. Your cat is trying to protect their territoryĬats communicate to other cats with their pee or poop. Once your vet pinpoints the condition, your cat’s treatment could include:Ģ. Treatment depends on which medical condition your cat might have. Your cat’s veterinarian may do the following to narrow down any likely causes: It’s important to take your cat to your veterinarian as soon as possible. These conditions include:Īlong with not using their litter box, other signs your cat may have a medical condition include: Because of this, their litter box can fill up faster and may make them look for other locations. These conditions can make your cat associate the litter box with pain or discomfort. Other conditions can make your cat drink more - which would cause them to pee more often. Medical conditions that can cause your cat to stop using their litter box include:įeline lower urinary tract disorder (FLUTD) Your vet can perform tests to look for medical conditions. If your cat stops using their litter box, the first thing you should do is take a trip to your vet. Finding the underlying problem is the key to treating inappropriate elimination. Punishing them in any way will only make the behavior worse.ĭifferent things can cause a cat to not use their litter box. One common behavior problem people experience with their cats is eliminating - peeing or pooping - outside their litter box.Įven though it might seem like it, cats don’t pee or poop outside their box as a form of revenge against their owner. But sometimes, they might develop concerning behavior problems.

Cat not using litter box