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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesA cat that suddenly stops using the litter box may be in pain, feel an urgent need to go, have trouble reaching the box, or dislike something about its setup. It is not proof of spite or simple misbehavior. Because medical and environmental causes can overlap, arrange veterinary advice for a new or persistent change while checking the box and its surroundings.
First, check for a urinary emergency
If your cat is repeatedly straining but passing little or no urine, seek immediate veterinary treatment. A urethral blockage can be life-threatening. Straining may look like constipation, but the American Veterinary Medical Association warns that it can indicate a urinary blockage instead. Read the AVMA’s feline lower urinary tract disease brochure.
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Other lower urinary tract signs include painful or difficult urination, frequent attempts, crying, blood in the urine, urinating outside the box, or frequent genital licking. Contact a veterinarian promptly if you notice these signs. Cornell’s overview of feline lower urinary tract disease explains why these symptoms need assessment.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Medical problems can change urination or bowel habits
Urinary pain, urgency, or frequency
Inflammation, stones, or other urinary disorders can make urination painful or frequent. A cat may not reach the box in time, or may begin associating the box with discomfort. Lower urinary tract signs can have more than one contributing cause, so behavior alone cannot identify the condition.
#1 Best Overall
- PREMIUM QUALITY: A combination of premium texture and granule size made with 100% bentonite clay for maximum clumping creates litter particles that are just the right size.
- HARD CLUMPING: Hard clumping medium grain clay helps prevent moisture from reaching the bottom of the tray and forms hard clumps that won't break down, making it easier to scoop.
- LOW DUST & LOW TRACKING: Ideal for cats and owners who suffer from allergies with a 99% dust-free and hypoallergenic litter formulation that helps keep litter in the box where it belongs.
- SUPERIOR ODOR CONTROL: Formulated for single or multi-cat households with natural ingredients to keep your home smelling clean and fresh between litter box cleanings.
- NATURAL HERBAL ATTRACTANT: Blended with a natural herb attractant, the ideal texture and particle size combine to solve litter box problems by bringing cats back to their litter box.
Illness affecting urine or stool
Kidney disease, diabetes, and thyroid disease can increase thirst and urination. Digestive problems may make bowel movements painful, urgent, frequent, or difficult to control. A veterinarian can evaluate the cat with an examination and appropriate diagnostic tests; do not try to diagnose the cause from where the cat goes.
Cornell’s house-soiling guidance recommends investigating the underlying cause rather than treating the behavior in isolation. The page was updated in January 2015.
Rank #2
- LITTER BOX ATTRACTANT ENCOURAGES CATS TO USE THE LITTER BOX: Herbal attractant additive encourages cats and kittens to use the litter box by adding a familiar scent, helpful during new-cat introductions, box moves, and retraining.
- WORKS WITH ALL LITTER TYPES CLUMPING CLAY CRYSTAL AND NATURAL: Compatible with clumping and non-clumping clay, crystal, paper, and natural litters, sprinkled and mixed into clean litter for scent distribution in single- and multi-cat homes.
- NO-MESS SHAKE BOTTLE FORMAT FOR CONTROLLED EASY APPLICATION: The 9-ounce bottle is designed for controlled shake-and-pour use, helping reduce mess and over-application when refilling or topping off litter before mixing in lightly.
- HERBAL BLEND SCENT CUES GUIDE CATS BACK TO THE LITTER BOX: Pet-friendly herbal formula uses scent cues to guide cats to the litter box as an additive, not a deodorizer or disinfectant, intended for use with clean litter regularly.
- FOR CATS AND KITTENS LEARNING OR REESTABLISHING BOX HABITS: Suitable for kittens learning litter box habits and adult cats that need a refresher when adding a second box, switching locations, or after stress-related routine changes.
The box, litter, or location may be putting your cat off
Cats may avoid a box that is dirty, hard to enter, too small, or in a noisy or inconvenient place. They may also reject a litter’s texture or scent. A recent change in litter, box location, household access, or cleaning routine can offer a useful clue. Some cats continue using the box inconsistently; others favor a particular surface or room.
- Cleanliness: Scoop and clean regularly. If the box becomes dirty quickly, a health problem that increases urine output may also be contributing.
- Size and entry: A larger cat may need more room to turn and dig. Kittens and older cats may find low sides easier to enter.
- Litter: Try unscented litter if scent may be an issue. Introduce a different litter gradually rather than changing everything at once.
- Location: Choose a quiet, accessible place where the cat can approach and leave comfortably.
- Soiled spots: Clean accidents promptly and neutralize odor. Cornell cautions against ammonia- or vinegar-containing cleaners for this situation. Cleaning can reduce lingering odor, but it does not resolve an underlying medical or access problem.
If your cat repeatedly uses one spot, Cornell suggests temporarily placing a box there. Once the cat uses it reliably, move it gradually; if use deteriorates, return it to the last location that worked.
Rank #3
- PREMIUM QUALITY: A combination of premium texture and granule size made with 100% bentonite clay for maximum clumping creates litter particles that are just the right size.
- HARD CLUMPING: Hard clumping medium grain clay helps prevent moisture from reaching the bottom of the tray and forms hard clumps that won't break down, making it easier to scoop.
- LOW DUST & LOW TRACKING: Ideal for cats and owners who suffer from allergies with a 99% dust-free and hypoallergenic litter formulation that helps keep litter in the box where it belongs.
- SUPERIOR ODOR CONTROL: Formulated for single or multi-cat households with natural ingredients to keep your home smelling clean and fresh between litter box cleanings.
- NATURAL HERBAL ATTRACTANT: Blended with a natural herb attractant, the ideal texture and particle size combine to solve litter box problems by bringing cats back to their litter box.
Stress and conflict can make a box feel unsafe
Another pet may block, ambush, or intimidate a cat near the box. Place boxes in different locations so a cat can use one without having to pass or confront another animal. A setup with a clear view of the surroundings and an unblocked exit can help a cat avoid feeling trapped.
Changes in the home or the presence of other cats can also be relevant. Urine spraying or marking is different from ordinary elimination outside the box: Cornell describes spraying as territorial behavior that can occur in response to a new cat, outdoor cats, frustration, or changes such as new furniture. Do not assume that any urine outside the box is marking; first identify which cat is affected and have medical causes assessed.
Older cats may need easier access and a health check
Arthritis or other pain can make climbing into a box or reaching it in time difficult. Kidney disease, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism can increase urine production, and cognitive changes can alter elimination habits. Low-sided boxes may help with access, but a change in an older cat’s habits still merits veterinary attention.
Cornell advises owners not to dismiss behavioral or physical changes as inevitable aging. Its cognitive dysfunction guidance discusses changes that can affect older cats.
Make the next steps practical and gradual
- Arrange veterinary care for a new or persistent change. Describe whether the problem involves urine, stool, or both; when it began; how often it happens; and any changes in thirst, appetite, comfort, or behavior. Seek immediate care for straining with little or no urine.
- Check the setup while arranging care. Look at cleanliness, litter scent and texture, box size and sides, location, access, and whether another animal can block the approach or exit.
- Change one thing at a time. Introduce new litter slowly. If moving a box, move it gradually and return to the last reliable spot if use worsens.
- Reduce access barriers. Consider whether the box is easy to reach and enter, has room to turn and dig, and offers a quiet route in and out. In a home with several cats, Cornell’s general rule is one box per cat, plus one, in multiple locations.
- Clean accidents without punishment. Promptly neutralize odor, avoid ammonia- or vinegar-containing cleaners, and do not scold the cat. Punishment does not establish why the change occurred or make an unsuitable box easier to use.
Choose adjustments around your cat’s needs
No single box arrangement suits every cat. Prioritize easy entry for a cat with pain or limited mobility, enough room for the cat’s size, litter the cat accepts, regular cleaning, a quiet location, and a route that other pets cannot block. Cornell recommends larger boxes for larger cats, low sides for kittens and elderly cats, regular cleaning, and trying unscented litter; an individual cat’s preferences still matter.
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