# Cat and litter box problem
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-and-litter-box-problem/340392
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [January 17, 2006, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-and-litter-box-problem/340392 "2006-01-17T18:55:48Z")
**Posts on this page:** 16
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2006, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-and-litter-box-problem/340392/1 "2006-01-17T18:55:48Z")
We have 3 cats, and one has developed a problem – he doesn’t seem to like using his litter box any more, and prefers to take a dump in the middle of the kitchen floor (and always in the same spot).
He’s not sick; at least, not physically.
We bought new litter boxes, thinking that perhaps there was something about the old boxes that was no longer to his liking, but the problem persists.
I have a theory that he may be too big for the litter boxes – he’s a neutered orange tabby, and probably weighs in about 12 - 15 lbs. When I tried placing him in the litter box (to reacquaint him), I noticed that he does seem to overflow the confines, so to speak.
Any ideas?
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### Author:  [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2006, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-and-litter-box-problem/340392/2 "2006-01-17T19:27:25Z")
I have a 22 lb neutered male who shares the box with three girl kitties. I don’t think it’s a size thing. (His mental problems run deeper.) Sorry I can’t be of more help. Are the other kitties picking on him?
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### Author:  [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2006, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-and-litter-box-problem/340392/3 "2006-01-17T20:42:23Z")
I use a under-the-bed storage bin for one of my litter boxes - Mr. Spock is so long his rear end is not in a normal box box if his front feet are in it.
Have you tried a new box in a different location? Maybe a new litter?
This sounds like a dominance issue - have there been changes in the household?
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### Author:  [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2006, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-and-litter-box-problem/340392/4 "2006-01-17T20:45:18Z")
The other kitties (one in particular) occasionally hiss or swat at him, but nothing terribly serious. They’re all around 8 years old, btw.
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### Author:  [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2006, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-and-litter-box-problem/340392/5 "2006-01-17T21:20:09Z")
Not to be rude, but how often do you scoop and completely change the litter? Cats can get fastidious about cleanliness seemingly out of nowhere.
You might want to try an enzyme cleaner specifically for pet stain removal on the preferred poop spot. Even bleach doesn’t get rid of the cat’s desire to remark that same spot.
Has anything changed in the house? Are you under a lot of stress yourself? I find my kitties react to any changes in my level of nervousness as well as the hub’s.
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### Author:  [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)
#### Post date: [January 17, 2006, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-and-litter-box-problem/340392/6 "2006-01-17T21:29:24Z")
Try a bigger litter box, or an uncovered one (if you’re using a covered one). If you’re using an uncovered box, try a covered one. I have a Litter Maid Mega, and my 13 lb cat has no problems with being too big for it.
Have you changed to a different brand or type of litter recently? Have you started using a litter pan liner, or any other changes to the litter box setup?
How many litter boxes do you have? Cats aren’t always willing to share litter boxes- you should ideally have at least one for each cat.
If he’s been showing any signs of difficulty walking or jumping lately, you might want to try a litter box with lower sides.
Make sure you clean the spot in the kitchen where he’s been going. Use a product like Nature’s Miracle to get rid of the smell, and don’t use any ammonia-based cleanser to clean the area. If the cat can still smell the poo there (or smell ammonia, which smells like pee), he might think that’s an acceptable location to go.
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### Author:  [@freudian\_slip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freudian_slip)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2006, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-and-litter-box-problem/340392/7 "2006-01-18T00:56:46Z")
Have you recently changed the brand of litter? Some cats are very particular about change of litter.
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### Author:  [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2006, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-and-litter-box-problem/340392/8 "2006-01-18T01:08:58Z")
I had this problem recently. An older cat started peeing on the rug.
I read that it could be a urinary infection, so I took her to the vet. The cat was ok.
The vet said to clean out the litter box twice daily (2 cats with 1 box). We’re not quite that diligent, but more frequent box cleanings has lessened the problem.
YMMV.
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### Author:  [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2006, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-and-litter-box-problem/340392/9 "2006-01-18T01:15:59Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#):
>
> The vet said to clean out the litter box twice daily (2 cats with 1 box). We’re not quite that diligent, but more frequent box cleanings has lessened the problem.
Have you tried a [Litter Maid](http://www.littermaid.com/) self-scooping litter box? That’s the only thing that lets me and Mr. Neville stay on top of keeping the Neville kitties’ box clean.
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### Author:  [@cerberus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cerberus)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2006, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-and-litter-box-problem/340392/10 "2006-01-18T04:48:28Z")
Multiple litter boxes…
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### Author:  [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2006, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-and-litter-box-problem/340392/11 "2006-01-18T13:52:59Z")
Where are the litterboxes located? It could be that there is something about the location that bothers the kitty. Perhaps there’s something loud nearby like the furnace or sump pump? Also, many cats will not use a litterbox if it is too close to wear their food is located.
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### Author:  [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2006, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-and-litter-box-problem/340392/12 "2006-01-18T13:54:43Z")
I once had a cat that insisted on pooping in the dining room. After trying several different strategies, I finally moved her litter box into the dining room, in the exact spot she was pooping in. She immediately pooped in the box. I then gradually (over a few days) moved the box back where it belonged.
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2006, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-and-litter-box-problem/340392/13 "2006-01-18T15:40:39Z")
You need a larger box for him, one box per cat, and more scooping.
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### Author:  [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2006, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-and-litter-box-problem/340392/14 "2006-01-18T15:53:43Z")
Try a larger box for him, make sure if you use something that isn’t originally meant to be a litter box, that you keep it low enough for him to get in and out of. Either the box really is too small, or something has changed that he doesn’t like recently. It could even be a dominence issue as others have wondered. Has he taken to standing his ground and making the other cats back down from him lately? The technique of putting the litter box (maybe a new, bigger one?) where the cat is pooping, then gradually moving it back where it should be is a sound one.
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### Author:  [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2006, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-and-litter-box-problem/340392/15 "2006-01-18T16:00:02Z")
Quote:
> [@](#):
>
> Originally Posted by **Brody**
> _You’re gonna need a bigger box…_
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### Author:  [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)
#### Post date: [January 18, 2006, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-and-litter-box-problem/340392/16 "2006-01-18T16:06:26Z")
Thanks, all, for all the tips.
No changes – same litter, same location, same number of cats, same number of people in the house, same stress level, for the past 8 years.
I’ll work through the above suggestions, and see how it goes. Thanks.