Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Why Does My Cat Kick Litter Out of the Box? 5 Common Reasons

orange cat beside litter box

Cat owners the world over are familiar with that awful feeling of stepping barefoot on small litter pebbles, which is usually followed by an explosive, “Why?!”

Cats kicking litter out of their box is a behavior that flummoxes many pet owners, but your cat may just be trying to tell you that there’s a problem that you need to remedy. We rounded up the top reasons that cats kick their litter and a few ways that you can remedy this issue.

divider 2 cats

The 5 Reasons Cats Kick Litter Out of the Box

1.  The Litter Box Is Too Small

Our modern-day cats are the descendants of wild cats that lived in sandy environments in which they would dig a spot, eliminate it, and then cover it again. Many cats still exhibit this behavior in their litter boxes when they dig for the perfect spot to eliminate. If your cat is a digger, a larger litter box will likely help prevent them from kicking litter out when they go through their elimination ritual. The new box should be large enough for your cat to stretch out its forearms to dig, create a hole for elimination, and then cover it.


2. They Are Testing the Litter

Some cats are very particular about their litter, and they will test it out to make sure it is the right spot to eliminate by checking the texture and depth of the litter in the box. This “professional” test may result in some wayward litter making its way outside the box. Always make sure that there is enough litter in the box and that you clean it every day so the litter is pristine for your picky “litter tester,” which will cut down on the kicking behaviors.

two cats on litter box
Image Credit: Guajillo studio, Shutterstock

3. Your Cat May Be Exhibiting Marking Behaviors

If your cat is kicking soiled litter backward out of the box, they may be trying to mark their territory with their scent. Another common way that cats mark their territory is by marking areas with urine.

There are several reasons that cats mark their territory: a new cat (or another pet) in the household, medical issues (such as a UTI), stress, or mating behaviors. One way to help prevent soiled litter from flying through the air is to get a covered litter box, which prevents your cat from kicking the litter out in the first place.


4. There’s Not Enough Litter

Cats tend to be very finicky about their comfort, and everything often needs to be just so. If your cat doesn’t feel that they have enough litter to adequately dig and cover their elimination, they will probably kick the litter out of the box in frustration. Adding more litter helps provide them with the opportunity to adequately cover their elimination and will likely prevent litter from flying through the air.

two cats sniffing litter
Image Credit: Zoran Photographer, Shutterstock

5. Kittens Just Like to Play in the Litter

Kittens often learn their litter box behavior from their mothers. So, if your kitten can observe their mother neatly digging a hole, eliminating, and then covering the droppings, then you’re all set. Many kittens are taken from their mothers at an age too young for them to observe this behavior, though, so they have to figure out how to use the litter box on their own. While they’re doing this, they often play in the litter, which could result in kicking behavior.

A box with higher sides might help reduce litter kicking, but it will be hard to re-train your cat not to kick litter out once they’ve started this behavior. If a high-sided box doesn’t work, try getting a covered litter box so there is no way for them to kick the litter out in the first place.

divider 2 cats

Conclusion

While many cats have pristine bathroom habits, others sometimes develop the unfortunate habit of kicking litter outside the box. There are several reasons that cats kick litter, including that there isn’t enough litter, they’re testing it out to find the perfect spot to go, the litter box is too small, they may be exhibiting marking behaviors, and they never learned proper bathroom etiquette from their mothers.

There are simple solutions to many of these problems, which include larger litter boxes, more litter, covered boxes, higher-sided boxes, or re-training. If none of these suggestions work, you may want to talk to your vet to determine if there is a medical reason (such as a UTI) for the litter-kicking behavior.

If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!

PangoVet_Mention-in-Content for PangoVet2 save money


Featured Image Credit By: jamesjoong, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

How Much Litter Should You Put in the Litter Box? Facts & FAQ

In general, you should add about 2–3 inches of litter in your litter box. Of course, the exact amount will depend on the...

cat sniffing the litter box

How to Retrain a Cat to Use a Litter Box: 13 Vet-Approved Tips

Inappropriate elimination can be difficult to deal with, resulting in ruined belongings and strained relations between cats and their favorite people. It’s one...

Ginger cat in blue litter box

How to Keep Cats Out of Your Yard & Garden: 9 Vet-Approved Methods

While all cats are adorable, fun, and frisky, they can also be destructive, and strays can sometimes carry diseases. If you have a...

cat in the garden

8 Common Litter Box Issues & How to Fix Them

It’s a common myth that cats always use their litter boxes without issue. For the most part, cats indeed learn to use a...

orange cat beside litter box

More related

grey tabby cat sleeping on warm radiator

Why Is My Cat Suddenly Sleeping in Odd Places: 7 Vet-Verified Reasons

Did you know cats can sleep between 12 and 18 hours daily? It’s true, and studies suggest that almost 40% of cats1 will...

cat smelling catnip

Why Do Cats Roll in Catnip? 5 Common Reasons

Most cats love catnip. There might be nothing more adorable than the concentrated energy cats bring to every interaction involving this powerful plant....

cat-sleeping-on-owners-lap

Why Does My Cat Sleep Pressed Up Against Me? 5 Possible Reasons

Cats are interesting creatures that seem to be mostly content by themselves. It’s not unusual to find your cat curled up on your...

Cat tray with crystal litter and scoop on floor near light blue wall

10 Essential Cat Litter Box Accessories to Get You Started

One of the challenges that cat owners face is coming up with a substantial cat litter box system and cleaning routine. More often...

Keep reading

How to Remove a Tick From a Cat: Vet-Approved Steps & Advice

Removing a tick from a cat is not difficult, but it may not be as easy as you think. The hardest part is keeping your cat still, but the process is quite simple with a tick removal tool. You must...

removed tick from cat

Can Cats Eat Hot Sauce? Vet-Verified Safety Guide

Knowing what your pet can and can’t safely eat is part of your responsibility as a pet owner. Unfortunately, no matter how careful you are, cats have their own mind. Sometimes they eat things that they shouldn’t, and smelly human...

Can Cats Eat Hot Sauce

6 Reasons Your Cat Kneads and Purrs: Vet-Approved Facts

Cats knead for various reasons, from showing affection to soothing themselves, and nothing beats being on the receiving end of sweet kitty affection! Holding your cat while they knead and purr can make all your human worries vanish into thin...

Cat paw on a red fabri

11 Vet-Reviewed Cat Sounds & Their Meanings (With Audio)

Have you ever wondered what your cat is trying to tell you when they purr, meow, or chirp? Our gorgeous domestic cats use a wide range of vocal cues to express their opinions, and some cats are incredibly loud when...

cat meowing

Are Daisies Toxic to Cats? Vet-Reviewed Risks & Advice

Daisies are common flowers that you can find in gardens all over the world. Several different species of flowers are referred to as daisies or mistaken as them. So, it can be a challenge to determine if the flower in...

Catster_Are Daisies Toxic to Cats

Can Two Female Cats Get Along? Vet-Verified Info & Introduction Tips

If you already have a female cat at home and are considering adopting another cat, you may wonder how to make the transition as smooth as possible for your furry family member. Would your cat be happier with a male...

Can Two Female Cats Get Along

Are Cats Self-Aware? Do They Understand Mirrors & Their Self-Reflection? (Vet-Reviewed)

Self-awareness in animals is often seen as a sign of intelligence, and it is something that scientists have looked at for decades, not only in cats but also in virtually every species of animal. Despite what it might look like...

cat burp_Dimitris Vetsikas_Pixabay

Hound and Gatos Cat Food Review 2025: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary If you’re interested in getting your cat back to their historical roots with a meat-centric diet, you’re not alone. That’s the whole premise behind Hound & Gatos, a family-owned company that started in 2010. Although their recipes aren’t...

Hound & Gatos Cat Food Review