Litter Box Aversion in Cats: How to Retrain a Cat to Use the Box

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20265 min read

When a cat has been using its box for years and suddenly stops, the cause is often an aversion. The cat has learned, through pain, fright or disgust, that the box is a bad place. The good news is that aversion can usually be reversed with patience and the right changes.

What aversion looks like

• The cat sniffs the box, but will not enter, or steps in and leaves fast.
• It perches on the edge, and eliminates halfway out.
• It uses other places, such as a bathtub, laundry or carpet.
• It pees or poops right next to the box.
• It eliminates in the same new spot repeatedly.

See why is my cat peeing outside the litter box and why does my cat poop outside the litter box.

How it starts

• Pain. A urinary tract infection, constipation or arthritis made the box painful. See urinary tract infection in cats, constipation in cats and arthritis in cats.
• Fright. The cat was startled while in the box, by a noise, another pet or a child.
• Dirty box. A very dirty box.
• Litter change. A new litter that feels or smells wrong.
• Ambush. Another cat guarded the box.
• Strong cleaners. Disinfectant smells.
• Automatic box scare. See automatic litter boxes: worth it.

Even after the cause is gone, the cat may remember.

Step 1: Visit the vet

Always rule out medical problems. Tell the vet what you have seen, and bring a urine or stool sample. See signs of a urinary blockage in cats for emergency signs, particularly in male cats.

Step 2: Fix the setup

• Use unscented clumping litter, in a layer about two inches deep. See how to choose cat litter.
• Use a large, uncovered box. See litter box types compared.
• Place boxes in quiet, accessible places, not next to appliances. See where to put the litter box.
• Scoop daily, and wash the box weekly with mild soap.
• Add boxes, one per cat plus one, in different areas.
• Offer choices, with different litters in different boxes, to learn preference.
• Lower the sides for seniors. See senior cat home modifications.

Step 3: Clean accidents

Use an enzyme cleaner to remove odor, since cats return to places that smell of urine or feces. Avoid ammonia products. See how to remove cat urine odor and cat-safe cleaning products. Block off or cover spots, or place a food bowl or bed there, since cats avoid soiling where they eat or sleep.

Step 4: Retrain

1. Confine the cat in a small room, such as a bathroom, with food, water, bed and a box, for a few days, if your vet agrees.
2. Reward use with praise or a treat as soon as the cat leaves the box.
3. Gradually give more freedom, as the cat reliably uses the box.
4. Keep the box in the original place, and move it slowly if needed.

If accidents continue, return to an earlier step.

Reduce stress

Stress can contribute. See signs of stress in cats and how to calm an anxious cat. Provide safe places, a routine and play. Consider pheromone diffusers. See do cat pheromone diffusers work.

What not to do

• Do not punish, shout or rub the cat's nose in it.
• Do not use scented sprays or strong cleaners.
• Do not change litter suddenly.
• Do not put the box near the food or in a noisy place.

When to get more help

If problems persist, ask your vet for a referral to a veterinary behaviorist. Medication may help anxious cats.

Kittens

Kittens usually learn quickly. See kitten litter training.

Testing preferences with a cafeteria setup

If you are not sure what your cat dislikes, try a cafeteria test. Set out three or four boxes side by side, each with a different litter, such as unscented clumping, fine-grained, pellet and a natural option. Keep everything else the same and note which boxes the cat uses. Many cats clearly pick a favorite within a few days. Once you know, switch the whole home to that type gradually, mixing in the old litter over about a week, so that the change is not abrupt.

Surface preferences

Some cats that avoid the box have developed a preference for a particular surface, such as carpet, a bath mat or a laundry pile. This is called a substrate preference. You can work with it by placing a litter box in that spot, then slowly shifting it to a better location, or by placing a similar-feeling material in a box. Remove the tempting surface for a while if you can.

Keeping the habit once it returns

When the cat is back in the box, keep the routine steady. Scoop at least once daily, wash the box regularly with mild unscented soap, replace plastic boxes that have become scratched and hold odor, and avoid sudden changes in litter, location or box type. If you need to change something, do it gradually and watch for signs of backsliding. A small number of cats stay sensitive for life, so treat the setup as a long-term commitment, not a quick fix.

When to see a vet

See a vet if your cat avoids the box, strains or has blood in urine. Use the US vet directory to find a clinic.