How to Stop a Cat from Spraying Outside of a Litter Box

End the Messes and Odor

Crystal Ray
One of the strongest and most disgusting natural odors is cat urine. Once it permeates flooring, wood and fabric, it can be very hard to get rid of, especially if the wrong products are used to clean up the mess. Even when cats use a litter box, this is still a common problem. Cats usually end up spraying outside of their boxes unintentionally, but the results are still the same. It is possible to stop a cat from spraying outside of a litter box with a few minor changes. Read on to find out how to end the damaging messes and foul odors once and for all.

Buy an Extra-Deep Litter Box with a Lid to Stop Spraying Leaks

When trying to stop a cat from spraying outside of the litter box, buy an extra-deep covered pan. Kitty boxes come in many different styles, and when a cat is accidentally spraying outside of it, look for the deepest style available. This should stop the leakage. If it does not fully solve the problem, consider the following additional ideas and solutions.

Add a Clear Removable Flap

A covered litter box these days usually comes with a clear removable flap. If it does not, it is easy to make one with clear vinyl material and peel and stick Velcro tape. This is a great way to use a clear heavy-duty vinyl shower curtain. In any case, the cat should be able to easily go in and out of the litter box. Simply cut the flap to size and attach peel and stick Velcro tape to the flap and the top inside of the litter box. This will help stop the kitty from accidentally spraying outside of the litter box opening. The vinyl will be easy to wipe clean again and again, and it will be easy to replace as necessary.

Use Less Litter in the Box to Stop Accidental Spraying


The higher the level of litter in the box, the more likely a problem will occur. When the cat litter is deep, the kitty could end up spraying the wall and/or floor. Some people use far too much litter. More is not necessarily better, especially in this situation.

Add no more than two to three inches for best results, even in a covered pan. Just because the pan is covered does not mean that a spraying accident cannot happen. Urine ends up seeping through the seams where the lid meets the pan. This can also be solved by adding folded paper towels before snapping the lid into place.

Published by Crystal Ray - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle

Crystal Ray is an award-winning freelance writer and artist from the Chicago area. Her passion is interior design, but she also loves entertaining and crafting. She is continually developing unique and creat...  View profile

1 Comments

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  • Betty Asphy12/2/2011

    These are great points. I just assumed most cats automatically used litter boxes okay. I learned something new today.

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