Why is my cat so messy with her litter box

Caring for a cat can be a lot of fun and create a rewarding relationship. However, cats can also be a challenge to care for at times. Spilling or spreading litter outside of the litter box is a common problem that cats can have. Your cat may be spilling litter for a number of reasons: the size of its litter box, the litter itself or maybe even the style of litter box. Thankfully, there are some steps you can take to help keep your cat's litter in the litter box.

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   Clean the litter box. Keeping up with litter box cleaning can be a simple and easy way to help stop your cat from flinging litter. Cats like their litter box to be as clean as can be and may try to clean it themselves if they think it's dirty. To help stop your cat from spreading litter outside the box, make sure you are keeping up with regular cleaning of the litter box. [1] [2]

   • Scoop waste out of the litter box at least once daily.
   • It's a good idea to replace clay based litters once every two weeks.
   • If you have more than one cat, you may need to replace the litter more often.

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   Try different types of litter. Your cat may not like the style of litter that you have provided. If your cat is unhappy with the style of litter, it may make a mess when trying to use the litter box. You may need to experiment with your cat to see which type of litter box it prefers. However, there are some styles that most cats should enjoy.[3]

   • Litters with finer particles are generally preferred by cats. However, litter with finer particles may stick to your cat's feet more often.
   • Softer litters are usually a good choice for a cat.
   • Litters that have powerful scents may be off-putting to your cat.

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   Don't make changes to the litter box too often. If you have recently added a new litter box or changed the type of litter, your cat may feel uncomfortable with the changes. Cats need time to adjust to new litter or litter boxes and may end up spreading litter around until they get comfortable again. Always try to make gradual changes to either the litter box or the type of litter you provide.[4]

   • If you are changing litter types, try adding only a small amount of the new litter to the old one. Gradually increase the amount of the new litter until it has replaced the old litter.
   • If your cat is nervous around a new litter box style, you may have to wait for them to adapt.

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   Never punish your cat. Cats do not respond to punishment. If you attempt to punish your cat for spreading litter, you may actually make the situation worse. Punishing your cat or sending them outdoors for misusing the litter box will only hurt your relationship and won't solve the underlying issue.[5][6]

   • If your cat is having trouble using the litter box properly or making big messes, talk with your veterinarian.
   • It's up to you to figure out what your cat needs and how to best help it. Punishing your cat will only cause them to associate the litter box with the punishment.

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   Make sure the litter box is the right size for your cat. Litter boxes that are too small or too large may make your cat uncomfortable. An uncomfortable cat may be in a hurry to bury it waste, spreading it beyond the box. Always provide the right size litter boxes for your cat to avoid problems with it tracking litter outside the box.[7]

   • Your cat should be able to enter the box easily and move around inside of it.
   • The litter box should be about one-and-a-half times longer than your cat is.
   • If your cat can't fit fully inside the box, it is too small.

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   Get a litter box with taller sides. If your cat keeps spreading litter outside the box, you can try providing a box with taller walls. The higher walls can keep your cat from dragging or flinging the litter high enough to go over the edge. Check out your local pet store for litter boxes with higher walls to help your cat contain its litter.[8]

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   Add a hood to your cat's litter box. If your cat is constantly spreading litter beyond its box, you might consider giving them a covered box. A covered litter box will be completely enclosed with the exception of a door for your cat to enter through. Covered boxes can contain litter quite well, preventing your cat from pulling any outside the box.[9][10]

   • Some cats may not like covered litter boxes.
   • Smells can build up inside covered boxes, requiring you to clean them often.

4. 

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   Make your own litter box. If your cat seems to spread litter out of other litter box styles, you may want to make your own. All you will need is a large plastic tub with a lid. Cut a hole in one of the narrow ends of the tub walls for your cat to go in and out of. Fill the bottom of the tub up with litter and let your cat get comfortable with its new litter box.

   • Make the entry way closer to the top of the container. If you make the entryway too low, you won't be able to add litter without it spilling out.
   • The large size of the tub can make your cat feel comfortable and prevent it from spilling litter out.
   • Remember to clean the litter box often if you plan on leaving the lid on.

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   Add a litter mat. If you can't seem to prevent your cat from spreading litter outside the box, you can at least make it easier to clean up. Try putting a litter mat underneath and around the litter box to catch spilled litter. When it's time to clean, simply pick up the litter mat and take all the spilled litter with it.[11]

   • You might also try keeping litter boxes away from carpeted areas, as litter can be tough to get out of carpets.
   • Putting the litter box on a bare floor can make sweeping up spilled litter a bit easier.

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  Jackie Tucker

  Nov 11, 2016

  "It was very interesting to find out how to make bigger litter boxes & avoid spills of the litter everywhere..." more

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