What we humans see as house soiling in cats is a more common problem than you might think, affecting around 10% of domestic cats according to a recent study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. However, before you let irritation get the better of you, know that this behaviour is often a call for help. In reality, your cat is trying either to tell you that something is wrong, or to express a natural feline behaviour that can seem inappropriate in our human world. Although this can be frustrating for you, it is essential to understand that it is neither rebellion nor an attempt to upset you, but rather a sign of unease. This behaviour often reveals that something in their environment is bothering them or that they are not feeling well. Since every animal, every family and every relationship is unique, the solutions need to be adapted to each specific situation. Let’s look together at some possible messages behind this behaviour and explore some possible solutions.
“I’m not feeling well”
When a cat urinates or defecates outside their litter box, it can be a sign of a health problem. Conditions such as urinary tract infections, diabetes, kidney failure, the presence of crystals or hyperthyroidism can be behind this behaviour. If your cat feels discomfort, or even pain, when using their litter box, they may develop a fear of it and start avoiding it. This is similar to what some parents go through when potty training young children: if a child associates pain with using the potty, they may refuse to go, which delays their learning. In the same way, your cat might associate the litter box with an unpleasant experience and try to avoid it. This behaviour could be a signal that they need medical care. So the first thing to do is to see your vet and check that this behaviour is not linked to an underlying health problem.
“My environment is stressing me”
Cats are extremely sensitive to changes in their environment. A house move, the arrival of a new member of the family (a baby, a new person, another animal…) or even a simple rearrangement of the furniture can cause significant stress. House soiling can then be an expression of this anxiety, with your cat trying to reassure themselves and regain a sense of security by marking their territory. By depositing their pheromones, chemical substances produced by their glands, they try to restore a balance, show their presence and communicate their need for comfort. Pheromones play an essential role in feline communication, helping your cat feel safe in a changed environment and interact with other living beings, including humans.
What’s more, cats can perceive our emotions, even if they don’t always understand where they come from or exactly what they mean. They can sense our stress, anger, sadness… and this can influence their behaviour. So inappropriate elimination can sometimes reflect an unease linked to our own emotional state. To explore this further, I invite you to read my article on the influence of our well-being on our companions.
“I never learned”
A cat doing their business outside the litter box can also be the result of a gap in learning. For example, if the cat was not properly weaned as a kitten, they may struggle to adopt this behaviour as an adult. In that case, gradual relearning will be needed, and it will take patience.
“My litter box doesn’t suit me”
Sometimes the message is simple: your cat doesn’t like their litter box. This may be down to where the box is, the type of litter, or how often it is cleaned. A cat avoiding their litter box may be trying to tell you that they need an environment better suited to their needs. For example, contrary to what you might think, cats don’t always need privacy to do their business. They can be reassured by their own scent spreading through the environment, and they also need to feel safe, in particular by knowing they can escape if necessary. That is why covered litter boxes with a roof and a door don’t suit every cat. It is important to note that each cat has their own preferences: some will like a covered litter box, while others will feel more comfortable with an open one, and other aspects matter too, such as the type of litter or the size of the box.
“I need attention”
Sometimes, eliminating outside the box can be your cat’s attempt to get your attention. If your cat feels neglected or is bored, they may adopt this behaviour to send you a message and get a reaction from you. Cats need regular mental and physical stimulation, as well as quality time with you, such as interactive play or strokes, to maintain their well-being. When these needs are not met, a cat may turn to behaviours such as inappropriate elimination to make up for what is missing and get the attention they are looking for.
“There’s a conflict in my territory”
In homes with several cats, or even other animals, elimination can be a sign of territorial tension, and in this context it is called marking. Your cat might feel threatened or need more personal space. This problem can also appear if another cat in the neighbourhood is noticed, whether by smell or by sight. Cats, whose sense of smell is far more developed than ours, can be unsettled by the presence of other felines nearby. To reassure themselves, they will mark their territory by urinating or defecating, leaving their scent to tell other animals who they are and that they occupy this space. The urination position can show whether it is marking or another problem. Analysing the urination position can offer clues about the nature of the behaviour: a cat that urinates standing up, with their tail straight up and quivering, is usually marking their territory.
How can you respond to these messages?
- See a vet: First and foremost, it is crucial to see a vet to rule out any health problem that could be causing the house soiling.
- Assess and adapt the environment: Look at your cat’s environment and adjust it to meet their needs and reduce sources of stress. This may include reorganising their space and adding toys, cat trees, resting areas, food and other resources, as well as setting up scratching posts and elimination areas.
- Optimise the litter box: Make sure your cat’s litter box meets their needs in terms of size, location, litter type, kind of box and cleanliness. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different types of litter to find the one your cat prefers.
- Give time and attention: Spend time with your cat through play and strokes. Contrary to the popular belief that cats need little company, environmental enrichment, physical and mental stimulation, and your simple presence are essential for their well-being.
- Consider the impact of your own stress: Cats can perceive and react to your emotions. So it is important to think about how your own emotional state might influence your cat’s behaviour. Managing your own stress and improving your personal well-being can help reduce behaviours seen as problematic in your feline companion.
- Manage territorial conflicts: In homes with several cats or animals, make sure each cat has their own space and resources. Provide more litter boxes, offer areas for resting, playing and eating, and make sure each cat can mark their territory in a way that works for everyone, and reassure themselves.
- Cleaning: Clean your cat’s litter box every day by removing the droppings, and ideally give it a full clean once a week. Keep the familiar smell of the litter so your cat feels safe. Avoid scented or harsh products and air fresheners, which can unsettle your cat. For elimination outside the box, use enzymatic products to remove odours effectively and prevent marking.
- See a behaviour specialist: If the behaviour persists despite your efforts, see a feline behaviour professional. They can help you identify the underlying cause or causes of the problem and put in place solutions suited to your situation.
Testimonial: a resolved case of inappropriate elimination
Marie lives with her 5-year-old cat, Milo, who had started urinating on her clothes. After ruling out any medical problem, we found that Milo’s stress could be linked to several factors. On the one hand, the arrival of a new cat in the neighbourhood was unsettling Milo. Marie often cuddled this cat before coming home and sometimes fed them from the same bowls as Milo’s. On the other hand, Marie herself was going through a period of intense stress due to work overload, which indirectly affected Milo, who was sensitive to his human’s emotional state.
To solve this problem, we put several measures in place. First of all, Marie was advised to leave her unwashed clothes in a specific place Milo had no access to, and to wash her hands when she got home. She also stopped feeding the neighbour’s cat, who already had a home and humans to look after them.
We also drew up a relationship and environmental enrichment plan for Milo. This included regular play sessions, an open litter box, and scratching posts added all around the home.
At the same time, we worked with Marie to find stress management techniques, to help her handle her workload better and create a calmer atmosphere at home. As Marie learned to manage her stress better on her side, the general mood of the home improved, which had a positive effect on Milo.
Within a week, Milo’s inappropriate elimination had decreased in intensity, and it stopped completely after about 3 weeks. He was able to return to his old relaxed behaviour while expressing his needs in an appropriate way.
After that, we gradually reintroduced objects carrying the scent of the neighbour’s cat, pairing these moments with positive experiences for Milo. We watched his reactions and raised his tolerance threshold without rushing him, while reassuring him and meeting his needs.
Marie has not had this problem with Milo since, and she now has the tools to understand his needs and respond to them better. She also learned to recognise the impact of her own emotional state on Milo’s well-being, which encouraged her to keep a better balance between work and personal life.
To sum up, inappropriate elimination is not an act of defiance by your cat, but sometimes a call for help. By learning to decode their messages, you can not only solve this problem but also significantly improve your feline companion’s well-being. Remember that every cat is unique, and an approach that is personalised and adapted to your situation is often needed to solve this behavioural problem, which can have several causes.
Any questions? Feel free to contact me. Together, we can explore what your cat is trying to tell you and find the right solutions.
Important note: This article presents the most common causes of house soiling in cats, based on my knowledge, my reading and my professional experience. It is by no means an exhaustive list. Every cat is unique, and the reasons for their behaviour may be multiple, complex or different from those mentioned here. Sometimes a combination of factors may be involved, and in some cases medical treatment may be needed.
It is important to note that an animal behaviour consultation never replaces a veterinary consultation. It is essential to see a vet first to rule out any medical cause that could explain or contribute to your companion’s house soiling.
Sources
- Muller, G. (2019). “Comportement du chat : Biologie et clinique”. Éditions du Point Vétérinaire.
- Béata, C. et al. (2016). “Médecine du comportement du chien et du chat”. Elsevier Masson.
- Pageat, P. (2018). “L’homme et le chat”. Odile Jacob.
- Revue La Semaine Vétérinaire. (2020). “Dossier spécial : La malpropreté féline”. Issue 1842.
- Chabaud, C. (2017). “Mon chat fait pipi partout : Que faire ?”. Éditions Larousse.
- Centre hospitalier universitaire vétérinaire de l’Université de Montréal. (2024). “La malpropreté chez le chat”. [https://chuv.umontreal.ca/le-chuv/hopital-des-animaux-de-compagnie/ressources/la-malproprete-chez-le-chat/]
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