One in every 10 cats will have a litter box lapse in his lifetime. The 19 most common reasons are listed below.

1. The cat is suffering from a medical problem involving the urinary tract.
2. The cat experiences a bout of geriatric constipation.
3. The caretaker does not keep the litter box as clean as the cat wants it to be.
4. The owner changes the brand or type of litter.
5. The owner changes the location of the litter box.
6. The owner buys a new box and throws out the old one.
7. The owner cleans the litter box with too harsh a cleaning product.
8. The location of the litter box is too busy or not private enough for the cat.
9. The home is too large for just one litter box.
10. The cat inadvertently gets locked out of reach of the litter box.
11. The cat is kept from using the litter box by another animal in the house.
12. There are too many cats and not enough territory.
13. There are too many cats and not enough litter boxes.
14. Stray cats can be seen/smelled near the cat’s territory.
15. The unbuttered male cat has come of age and is marking his territory.
16. The unsprayed female is in heat and advertising for suitors.
17. Over time, the cat has developed an aversion to the texture of the litter.
18. The cat was never properly trained to use the litter box in the first place.
19. The cat is stressed by a change in routine or environment, including a new baby, new furniture, work schedule changes, vacations, overnight guests, or a move.