Why isn’t my cat using the litter tray?

One of the most common behavioural issues cat owners face is house soiling – when a cat wees or poos outside of their litter tray.

It’s understandably upsetting, especially when it seems to come out of nowhere. But rest assured: your cat isn’t deciding to be naughty. This behaviour is a sign that something isn’t quite right, whether that’s due to stress, medical issues, or simply a dislike of the litter tray set-up.

🩺 Rule out health issues

If your cat suddenly starts weeing outside the litter tray, the first step should always be a trip to the vet.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder stones and cystitis can cause discomfort. And if your cat associates the litter tray with pain, they might start to avoid it.

Get to the vet urgently if your cat has:

• Made frequent visits to the tray with little or no wee

• Been crying or straining while weeing

• Had blood in the urine

• Weed in unusual places, like sinks or bathtubs

If you’re insured with Napo, you can get a vet’s opinion straight away on your phone through FirstVet. It’s a great first step if you're unsure whether your cat needs to be seen in person.

Don’t stress... but it could be stress

Cats are sensitive creatures who thrive on routine. Ask yourself if anything might have stressed out your cat – have you moved or redecorated, or introduced any new pets or people to the household? Changes in their environment can lead to stress, and one way cats often show this is through changes in toilet behaviour.

💩 Stress-related house soiling can include:

• Weeing in corners, behind furniture, or on soft surfaces like beds or sofas

• Spraying on vertical surfaces (often a stress-related marking behaviour) mine once did it in the kitchen – while i was cooking!

• Poos outside of the tray

🧘 Things you can try to help your cat feel relaxed:

• Make sure they have quiet, safe spaces to retreat to and safe access routes to get there – key if they share a home with a dog!

• Use a cat-friendly pheromone diffuser like Feliway

• Keep routines as predictable as possible

• Provide enrichment through toys, play, and climbing options

Check your tray set-up

Cats can be surprisingly particular about their toilet preferences. If something about the tray isn’t to their liking, they may simply refuse to use it. Not unlike some humans with their multi-ply loo roll! Here are some common litter tray issues to consider:

• Not enough trays: The general rule is one tray per cat, plus one extra. So for two cats, you should have at least three trays.

• Poor location: Trays should be placed in quiet, private areas away from food and water bowls – and not in busy walkways or next to noisy appliances.

• Unpleasant litter: Some cats dislike scented or coarse litter. Try finer, unscented litters.

• Covered trays: Some cats prefer open trays where they can see around them, while others like the privacy of a covered one. It’s worth experimenting.

• Not clean enough: Cats are fastidious. A dirty tray can quickly become a no-go zone. Scoop daily and wash trays regularly with mild, unscented detergent.

Draft in the pros

If you’ve ruled out health problems and made appropriate changes to the litter tray set-up, but your cat is still struggling, it may be time to get help from a qualified behaviourist. Soiling issues are common among cats, but can be hard to resolve by yourself.

At Napo, our pet insurance policies cover behavioural consultations. These behaviourists can work with you to understand your cat’s specific triggers and create a tailored plan to resolve the problem. The sooner you take action, the sooner your cat (and your home) will feel normal (and fragrant!)