12 tips against uncleanliness in cats - causes & solutions

Why does a cat become unclean?

Cats are rather clean by nature and instinctively bury their faeces in the litter tray. There is almost always a specific reason behind sudden uncleanliness. Your cat is not doing it to punish or annoy you. Rather, it is trying to tell you something through this behaviour.

Reason 1: Medical problems such as urinary tract infections can cause your cat to suddenly become unclean and defecate outside the litter tray.

Reason 2: Stress and changes in the household can affect your cat and lead to unclean behaviour.

Reason 3: Problems with the litter tray itself, such as placement, size, cleanliness or the litter used, can also be a reason.

How do you distinguish between marking and uncleanliness?

Before you can break your cat's habit of uncleanliness, you need to understand whether it is marking behaviour or genuine uncleanliness.

When is it marking behaviour?

When your cat sniffs intensely in one place before relieving itself right there.
If it stands upright, raises its tail vertically and lets it tremble slightly.
When it splashes its urine on vertical surfaces such as walls or furniture.

Marking is a way in which your cat marks its territory. Neutered males and females do not tend to engage in this behaviour.

When does everything point to uncleanliness?

If your cat squats down as if in a litter tray - for example in a flower pot.
If it urinates on horizontal surfaces such as the floor, sofa or bed.
If they hint at burying their urine after doing their business.

Uncleanliness is usually a symptom of an underlying problem. However, it is also very easy to get to grips with.

12 tips against uncleanliness in cats

1. Rule out health problems first and foremost

If your cat suddenly becomes unclean, you should consult your vet. This is because various illnesses such as bladder infections, urinary tract infections or kidney problems may be the cause and should be treated immediately.

Tip: It is best to bring a urine sample with you directly to the vet. Place a flat, clean container underneath when your cat squats down to urinate. The urine can be drawn up with a clean syringe and taken to the vet.

2. Optimise the number of litter trays

Especially in multi-cat households, litter trays can get dirty more quickly. That's why experts recommend having at least one litter tray per cat.

3. Check the location of the litter tray

Has your cat perhaps been frightened in its own litter tray and is therefore avoiding it? The location of the litter tray can also lead to uncleanliness. Therefore, pay attention to the following points: Choose a quiet place with no through traffic. Avoid places next to noisy appliances or doorbells. Do not place the litter tray too close to the feeding or watering area. Provide sufficient privacy, but not in dark, scary corners. Place several litter trays in different rooms.

4. Choose the right litter tray

There are different types of litter trays to suit the individual needs of different felines:

Open bowls offer easy access but less privacy.
Hooded litter trays protect against prying eyes, but can be restrictive for some cats.
Top-entry models keep litter inside but are difficult to access for older or corpulent cats.
Self-cleaning toilets are practical, but can be unsettling due to the noise they make.

If your cat suddenly becomes unclean, it may be time to try a different model. Also pay attention to the size, as the toilet should be at least 1.5 times as long as your cat from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail.

5. Find the right cat litter

The choice of cat litter can also be a decisive factor if your cat becomes unclean. Cats often have strong preferences:

Some prefer fine, sand-like material
Others like coarser textures
Some are sensitive to scented litter (remember: cats smell about 14 times better than humans!)

Tip: Introduce new types of litter slowly by first adding a thin layer of the new litter on top of the usual litter and increasing the amount each day.

6. Make sure the litter is the right height

Too little litter can promote uncleanliness in cats. Fill the litter tray with around five to seven centimetres of litter, or even seven to nine centimetres for fine natural litter. This allows your cat to:

Scratch and dig sufficiently.
To bury their droppings well.
Have a comfortable surface that does not give way.

A generous amount of litter also prevents urine from seeping through to the floor and sticking there. This makes cleaning easier and reduces odours.

7. Clean the litter tray regularly

Uncleanliness in cats can be caused by a lack of hygiene in the litter tray. Cats are very clean and often refuse to use a dirty litter tray. Follow these tips for daily litter tray cleaning:

Remove clumps at least twice a day.
Change the litter regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Use mild, odourless cleaning agents (e.g. vinegar or special cleaners for the animal environment).
Avoid strongly perfumed or harsh cleaners.

If you work and are away from home for long periods, it may make sense to purchase additional litter trays.

8. Identify the "culprit" in a multi-cat household

If several cats live together and one cat becomes unclean, it can be difficult to find out which one it is. These methods can help:

Give the cats different food colours in their food (colours the faeces).
If urine uncleanliness is suspected, the vet can mix fluorescein into the food - the cat's urine will then glow under UV light.
Observe your cat's behaviour closely.

Remember: Sometimes a cat starts with the uncleanliness and its mates take over this behaviour or mark the spots additionally.

9. Reduce stress and conflict

If your cat suddenly becomes unclean, stress may be the cause. Changes in the household such as moving house, new family members or new pets can upset cats. Pay attention to this:

Sufficient retreats for each cat.
Sufficient resources (food bowls, water points, cuddling areas).
Regular playtime to reduce stress.
Products that release calming pheromones.

Also watch out for conflicts between your cats. Sometimes hidden rivalry leads to uncleanliness when one cat keeps the other away from the litter tray.

10. Clean soiled areas thoroughly

If your cat has already been unclean, thorough cleaning of the affected areas is essential to prevent repeated uncleanliness:

Use special enzyme cleaners that completely neutralise odours.
Wash affected textiles with detergents containing enzymes.
Temporarily prevent access to repeatedly contaminated areas.
Temporarily place food bowls or toys in favourite ‘accident’ spots to change the association.

Remember: cats often return to places where there are still traces of odour. Even if we humans can no longer smell anything.

11. Avoid punishments

If your cat is messy, scolding or punishing him will not help - on the contrary! It increases the stress and can make the problem worse. The following measures are counterproductive:

Yell at the cat or punish it physically.
Sticking the cat's nose in its faeces.
Caging or isolating the cat.

Remember: Your cat is not showing uncleanliness out of protest or revenge. It is trying to draw attention to a problem. Punishment only destroys the trust between you and your pet.

12. Get professional help

If all measures don't help and your cat continues to be messy, don't be afraid to seek professional help:

Animal behaviour therapists can analyse the situation from a cat's point of view.
Vets specialising in behavioural medicine offer comprehensive diagnostics. In severe cases, calming medication can also help in the short term.

The sooner you seek help for persistent uncleanliness, the better the chances of success and the quicker your cat will be clean again.

Conclusion: With these tips, uncleanliness in your cats will soon be a thing of the past

To ensure that your cat reliably uses its litter tray again, you should:

Have health problems ruled out.
Provide sufficient clean and suitable litter trays.
Use the right cat litter in sufficient quantities.
Identify and reduce stressors.
Be patient and never punish

If you take these tips to heart, you will be able to solve the problem of your cat's uncleanliness in most cases. This will not only benefit hygiene in your home, but also the well-being of your pet.

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🐾 For environmentally conscious cat owners: Plant-based clumping litter - light in weight, biodegradable and particularly suitable for cats with sensitive airways.

🐾 For maximum odour protection: Bentonite clumping litter - forms solid clumps for excellent odour absorption and makes daily cleaning easier.